Deo awoke to the gentle morning light filtering through the blinds of his tavern room and the comforting swoosh of Pyro’s tail brushing against the carpet. As he lay in bed, the events of the previous day replayed in his mind—the battle, the healing, the conversations late into the night. Remembering the level up of his skills and the unlocking of a new Class Quest, curiosity nudged him to action. With a thought, he summoned his status page, the digital interface materializing in front of him with a soft glow.

Quest: Yggdrasil’s Chosen Class Quest

Yggdrasil’s Chosen must undertake a significant task for nature to prove their resolve, wisdom and connection to the natural world. Upon selection, you will be instantaneously transported to the quest's location and returned upon completion. Click to expand and view your potential quest options.

Rewards: Legendary Gear Upgrade, Yggdrasil’s Sapling

His eyes widened as he read the initial description of the quest and eager to learn more, he clicked to expand the list of quests:

The Blighted Land

This area has been tainted by the essence of undeath. Locate the source of the corruption, eradicate it, and rejuvenate the land, breathing life back into its soil and fauna.

Elemental Dissonance

The balance among the elemental forces of nature has been thrown into disarray, causing disasters and chaos. Work to bring back harmony to the realm, soothing the raging elements.

The Wild Hunt

A mythical creature, crucial to the health of its ecosystem, has been seen far from its rightful home. Your task is to track, subdue, or persuade the beast to return to its habitat, ensuring the balance of nature is maintained.

Waterways Cleansing

Rivers and lakes within a certain region have succumbed to poison, threatening the natural world and human communities alike. Identify the source of this blight and purify the waterways, restoring their life-giving flow.

The Forgotten Orchard

An orchard of legend, once nurtured by ancient druids, has been unveiled once more. Filled with legendary fruits and plants, its treasures are guarded by timeless protectors, wary of all who draw near. Discover a path to access its bounties without breaching the peace of its guardians.

As Deo mulled over the quests arrayed before him, the sense of responsibility they entailed was both intimidating and invigorating. Each option represented a journey deeper into the embrace of the natural world, an opportunity to validate his new status as one of Yggdrasil’s Chosen. He still felt distinctly unworthy of the legendary class conferred to him, but with the comforting presence of Pyro by his side, a wave of resolve washed over him, flooding his doubts away. He painstakingly reviewed each quest, aware that his choice would have significant ramifications and could pit him against the forces of undeath, test him in a battle to restore elemental balance or put him at odds with a mythical beast. His curiosity piqued, he attempted to delve deeper into each quest, seeking more than the brief overviews provided. Frustratingly however, he was limited to just the information available in the short descriptions. The knowledge that he would be teleported directly to the quest's location, with no indication of the duration of his task, added an extra layer of complexity to his decision-making process.

Ultimately, Deo recognized the necessity of setting his decision aside temporarily. There were matters to attend to, preparations to be made before he could commit to such a significant undertaking. The decision, he resolved, would wait until he was back at Harmony's Refuge, where he could put his affairs in order with a clear mind. Despite his efforts to compartmentalize his thoughts, they swirled around him like leaves in a storm, refusing to be neatly stowed away.

Rousing Pyro from his slumber with a gentle nudge, Deo readied himself for the day ahead. Together, they descended to the common room of the tavern, stepping into a familiar hustle and bustle that grounded him in the present. The day ahead beckoned, filled with immediate tasks and interactions that demanded his attention, a welcome distraction from the monumental choices that lay in wait. Yet, the prospect of the quest lingered at the back of his mind, a silent call to adventure that promised to shape his path in ways he could scarcely imagine.

Spotting Lena seated at a cozy table near the bar, Deo, with Pyro loyally following, made his way over. He dropped into the chair opposite her with a relieved sigh, greeting his friend warmly. A quick signal to a serving boy ensured that breakfast was on its way, while Lena gave Pyro a fond scratch on the top of his head. In turn, Pyro received a bone from her, accepting it with a grateful wag of his tail.

As they settled in, Deo, unable to contain his excitement, launched into an explanation of the quest he had unlocked that morning. He detailed the options laid out before him, each one a potential adventure that could intertwine his fate further with the natural world. As Deo eagerly shared the details of his newly unlocked quest, Lena listened intently, her eyes widening with each word. "That's amazing," she interjected, her voice lowering to a whisper, imbued with a mix of awe and excitement, "Your legendary class... it sounds wondrous." The reverence in her tone, however, soon gave way to a note of practicality.

“This is exciting, but we need to consider your responsibilities, Deo,” she gently began, her voice carrying a new layer of consideration. “We really need you focused on the final harvest before winter sets in. Could you possibly delay your quest until then?”

Deo paused, the enthusiasm momentarily fading from his expression as he considered her words. He nodded, acknowledging the wisdom in her advice. “Ah, yes, of course, I see your point,” he said, his fingers drumming incessantly on the edge of the table, betraying his internal conflict.

“Caelum won’t be able to assist for at least another year, and, unfortunately, I’m the bottleneck in speeding up the growing process,” Deo mused aloud, thinking through the logistics. “So, yes, staying at Harmony’s Refuge until early winter does make sense. It gives me a chance to ensure any guards we procure are suitable too,” he continued, warming to the idea as he spoke. He paused, allowing the plan to solidify in his mind, considering the timeline and what needed to be done.

The topic of conversation then naturally shifted to the matter of securing their hamlet's safety. “Speaking of the guards, who are we meeting, and when?” Deo asked, keen to understand the day's agenda.

Lena, prepared as always, outlined their appointments. “We’ve got a room reserved out back for the meetings. The Dirtwallow Company are up first,” she informed him. Deo nodded in acknowledgment before she continued. “They're due here in about twenty minutes. We need to be prepared to discuss terms and find the best fit for our needs.” She paused for a moment before adding, “After them, we’ll meet with the Huntsmen, and the Jumping Jacks are last.”

Finishing her briefing, Lena stood up from the table. You finish off your breakfast, and I’ll see you in there. Oh, and Elandor said he’d catch up with us this afternoon."

With a clear plan in mind, Deo quickly focused on finishing his breakfast, eating with an urgency fuelled by the day ahead. Meal hastily consumed, he stood up, stretching to ease the stiffness that had settled in his muscles, a physical manifestation of the looming responsibilities. He then headed straight to the reserved room, Pyro trailing behind him. The room was quiet, a contrast to the bustling common area they had just left. Lena was already situated at the table, surrounded by an array of ledgers, papers, and writing implements. In front of her lay a veritable arsenal of inkwells and pens, meticulously arranged for easy access. Finding a quiet corner, Pyro settled down comfortably, his watchful eyes taking in the room’s occupants and the doorway through which their visitors would soon enter. Deo took a moment to survey Lena's preparations, glancing over sheafs detailing yields and profit forecasts.

Their brief moment of calm was punctuated by a knock at the door, heralding the arrival of the representatives from the Dirtwallow Company. Lena, composing herself, nodded to Deo, a silent signal they were ready to begin. The door swung open to reveal their awaited guests. The first to enter was a skinny dwarf, somewhat beleaguered under the weight of an enormous pile of scrolls and ledgers he was struggling to balance. His hair, a tangle of wiry bronze, peeked out from under a cap that seemed perpetually on the verge of falling off and his simple clothes were adorned with the symbol of a white shovel.

Following closely behind the dwarf was a figure so unique that Deo couldn't help but start in surprise as he entered. This tall, slender individual was covered from head to toe in thick, dark fur, with round spectacles perched on the bridge of his nose. The man's facial features were strikingly distinct—a pronounced snout and small, beady eyes, that restlessly roamed around the room as he entered. He was wearing a three-piece suit, clearly tailored to fit his unique physiology, with a green shovel symbol adorned on the upper breast pocket. His hands were notably dexterous, ending in slender, delicate fingers that moved with a purposeful grace. Noticing Deo’s reaction of surprise, he paused near the entrance, giving Deo a momentary examination.

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Ah,” he began, his voice carrying a refined, aristocratic quality that filled the room with its resonance. His keen eyes, magnified behind the round spectacles, briefly assessed Deo, running up and down in a quick, evaluating glance. “I see you’ve yet to meet an Erskine before, Human. Yes, I’m what your people refer to as a moleman. And before you comment,” he continued, a hint of resignation lacing his tone, “the irony is not lost on me that I work for the Dirtwallow company.”

After a brief pause, the visitor proceeded to introduce himself with a level of formality that matched his dignified bearing. “I am Felix, Assistant Director of External Operations for the Dirtwallow Company,” he stated, his voice carrying the weight of his position within the organization. “And this,” he gestured to the dwarf, who had quietly positioned himself and his burden of ledgers and scrolls near the table, “is Gimrik, my assistant. He specializes in logistical support and record management.”

Deo, mouth still slightly agape at the monologue and the unique appearance of this new race he had just encountered, quickly composed himself. Closing his mouth, he gestured towards the seats available with a welcoming hand, his voice carrying a mix of respect and a slight hesitance, acknowledging the moleman's formal introduction.

“Erm, please, come in. Do sit,” Deo offered, striving to match the formality presented. “I’m Deo, of Harmony’s Refuge. And this is Lena, our steward.” His words, though concise, were a stark contrast to the elaborate introduction that had preceded them.

Felix wasted no time diving into the heart of the matter, as he seated himself at the table. “So I understand you’re after guards. For a new territory, is that correct?” he inquired, his voice carrying an expectant tone.

“Yes,” Deo began, eager to elaborate on their fledgling settlement, “And we’ve just beg-“ but before he could further detail the aspirations and challenges of their hamlet, Felix interjected with a series of inquiries.

“A few pertinent questions if I may first. How large is this settlement? In terms of both members and square acreage?” Felix's request, precise and to the point, set the groundwork for the depth of detail he expected in their negotiations.

“Ehm. Well, there’s nine of us. As for the footage...” Deo hesitated, attempting to visualize the expanse of their territory. “The land stretches quite a distance. But I’d estimate the settlement size is similar to this town, though of course, it’s largely unpopulated at the moment...”

“Annual earnings of the town?” Felix pressed on, his questions flowing without pause. “And the location of the town?” he added quickly, barely allowing Deo a moment to gather his thoughts.

Caught slightly off guard, Deo hesitated, the financial specifics not his area of expertise. Sensing his struggle, Lena smoothly took over. “We’re currently generating about 500 golden crowns annually. It's still early days for us, but we’re forecasting to double that by next year,” she stated confidently, her grasp on the numbers clear and her optimism for their future growth shining through.

“As for our territory, it lies to the south”, she added quickly as Felix’s expectant gaze transferred over to her.

“How far south?” Felix’s interest sharpened at her answer, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully.

“A few days' travel, within the wilderness,” Lena replied.

“I see,” Felix murmured, the wheels clearly turning in his head as he tapped a pen against the table, a sign of his deep consideration. “Well, that will incur a significant hazard surcharge,” he noted after a brief pause, calculating the implications of their settlement’s remote location.

All the while, Gimrik, Felix’s dwarf assistant, was diligently capturing every detail of the conversation. His pen danced across the ledger, recording Lena’s precise figures and the specifics of their settlement’s location with unwavering focus.

Without missing a beat, Felix transitioned to the next series of inquiries. “Ok, does your territory contain any of the following races: hobgoblins, satyrs, blood elves…" His voice took on a rhythmic cadence as he systematically listed race after race, the enumeration extending far beyond those first few mentioned, indicating a vast catalogue of potential concerns his company considered.

As the meeting unfolded, it became clear that this exhaustive listing was merely the tip of the iceberg. Felix delved into a labyrinth of increasingly specific and esoteric details, each question more pointed than the last. Then, quite suddenly, Felix indicated a pause with a hand gesture. “That’s enough”, he said, his voice commanding attention, “I have sufficient information to synthesise a quote”. From his suit jacket, he retrieved a gilded pen and Gimrik slid over a sheaf of professional-looking parchments, upon which Felix began to write methodically.

With the document completed, Felix extended it towards Lena. “Right, I have seven minutes to make my next appointment. This here is an itemised quotation for our services. You can bring it over to our headquarters on Seven Street when you decide to hire us. We look forward to hearing from you soon,” he stated, his tone blending formality with an expectation of future dealings. With a succinct nod, Felix and Gimrik made a swift exit.

As the door closed behind the Dirtwallow Company representatives, Deo and Lena shared a mutual sigh of relief, the tension in the room dissipating with their departure. The intensity of Felix’s interrogation had left Deo mentally exhausted, and the sudden silence felt both welcome and eerie.

Turning their attention to the quotation Felix had left behind, they unfolded the parchment with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. Their eyes widened in disbelief as they scanned the document. “Look at this,” Lena exclaimed, her finger tracing one of the many lines. “‘Perimeter surveillance by specialized scouts, 50 golden crowns.’ And here,” she pointed to another, “‘Magical wards installation, an additional 75 golden crowns.’”

Deo leaned in, his expression incredulous as he read out another line, “‘Hazard and threat level assessment, 5 golden crowns.’ They're charging for everything, even the initial assessment!”

The final tally at the bottom of the document seemed to loom larger than the sum of its parts. “They're asking for 350 golden crowns for their services,” Lena said, her voice a mixture of disbelief and frustration.

As Lena and Deo were grappling with the shock of the quote, a heavy, assertive knock resounded through the room, signalling the arrival of their next appointment. They barely had time to exchange a bewildered glance before the door swung open to admit two imposing figures.

The newcomers were women of remarkable stature, each exuding an aura of undeniable strength and athletic prowess. The first woman, standing ever-so-slightly taller, bore criss-crossing scars across her forearms. Slung across her back was a large axe, its blade gleaming with a promise of lethality. Her companion, equally formidable, carried a large yew bow, her hands marked with the calluses of constant use. The pair wore boiled leather armour, snugly fitted, yet allowing for fluid movement.

“Heard ya looking for some muscle. I’m Isabella. This is Princess. We’re members of the Huntsmen,” the one with the axe introduced them. Deo and Lena quickly exchanged introductions in return.

Their negotiation approach was as straightforward as their entrance. "How many of ya? How big be ya perimeter?" Isabella inquired, her tone no-nonsense and to the point.

After a brief explanation from Deo and Lena, outlining the size of their community and the extent of the territory they wished to secure, the women shared a glance, seeming to communicate silently before nodding in agreement.

"I reckon the two of us would do, y'know," Princess stated, her voice casual yet imbued with confidence. "We just charge food and accommodation, and the right to hunt local wildlife."

"Do you not need to know anything else?" Deo asked, surprised by the simplicity of their requirements.

"Nah, nuffin'. Got all we need," Princess replied with an air of finality.

“Actually, hold on, P,” Isabella interjected suddenly. “Ere, you got a tanner at this village of yours?”

“Afraid not,” Lena answered, a hint of bemusement in her voice.

“Ahh, guess we’ll have to haul back our skins here. Ah well, can’t have it all in life,” Isabella concluded with a pragmatic shrug.

As they concluded their brief and to-the-point pitch, Isabella ended with, "Find us at our market stall when you're done ya deliberating." With that, the two women, representatives of the Huntsmen, made their exit as straightforwardly as they had entered.

“Well, that was quick,” Deo muttered under his breath, still processing the complete reversal between this meeting and the previous one with the Dirtwallow Company.

“Not sure that the Huntsmen are the right people to have at Harmony’s Refuge,” Lena remarked thoughtfully. “Despite their appealing simplicity, they would surely unsettle the peacefulness of our refuge.”

They continued to discuss the merits and drawbacks of the two appointments they’d had, weighing their options. Time began to drag, as they realized that their final appointment of the day was running late. The strategic deliberation was momentarily put on hold, replaced by a growing concern over the delay. Just as they were about to concede to the wait and perhaps return to the common room, a sudden commotion at the door signalled an abrupt end to their quiet contemplation. Without warning, the door burst open, and in came a figure in a whirlwind of limbs and momentum, crashing to the floor in a spectacle of uncoordinated motion.

“Ha! I said it was the Twilight, you oaf,” rang out a reedy, unmistakably familiar voice from the figure now splayed across the floor. It took Deo only a moment to recognize the prone form as Jeremiah, one of the individuals he had provided healing for just the day before.

No sooner had Jeremiah made his chaotic entrance than the larger silhouette of Justin appeared in the doorway. “Heeyyy, it’s Deo!” he exclaimed, a broad grin spreading across his face. However, his enthusiasm was quickly tempered by a note of suspicion. “Oi, you best not be stealing our job. We've come here to work for Louise and protect her town,” he added, his grin giving way to a mild scowl directed at Deo.

Close behind Justin, Jerome made his entrance, somewhat more gracefully. “He’s quite clearly from the same town as Lena,” he interjected, correcting Justin’s mistake with a pointed emphasis on Lena's name.

“What are you three doing here?” Deo asked, his curiosity aroused by their unexpected and dramatic arrival.

“Why, we’re the Jumping Jacks, of course!” the trio exclaimed in unison, their declaration ringing with a mix of pride and readiness.