As I scrubbed away, lost in my thoughts, a shadow fell over me, blocking out the flickering light from the oil lamps. I glanced up to see the burly bartender looming over me, his expression unreadable.

“Finished with the floors already, eh?” he grunted, his voice gruff but not unkind.

I straightened up, the ache in my muscles protesting the sudden movement. “Yes, sir,” I replied, trying to keep my tone respectful. “Is there anything else you need me to do?”

The bartender’s lips curled into a faint smile, revealing a row of yellowed teeth. “Actually, there might be something. Follow me.”

Curiosity piqued, I set the mop aside and followed the bartender as he made his way through the crowded tavern. The patrons eyed me with varying degrees of interest as we passed, their conversations fading into murmurs as we approached the back of the room. The bartender pushed open a heavy wooden door.

“This is Rodrick,” Grud said, gesturing to the man behind the counter. “He handles most of the paperwork and assignments. Rodrick put this one down for some light work, errands and deliveries. Can’t have him keeling over on his first day, eh?”

Rodrick snorted, jotting down a few notes in the ledger. “You’re lucky, goblin. We’ve been shorthanded, and there’s plenty to do. You start now. Take this to the warehouse down by Pier 17,” he said, handing me a small, sealed package. “And don’t open it. Just deliver it to Gert.”

I took the package, nodding. “Got it. Pier 17, deliver to Gert.”

“Good,” Rodrick replied. “Now get moving.”

With a final nod from Grud, I stepped back out into the chaotic night. The docks were a labyrinth of crates, ships, and busy workers, but I focused on my task. The pain in my leg was a constant reminder of my fragility, but the small loaf of bread from Lara provided a welcome boost of energy.

I navigated through the maze of activity, asking for directions when needed, until I finally reached Pier 17. The warehouse loomed before me, a dark, imposing structure that seemed almost deserted. I hesitated at the entrance, the sounds of the dock fading behind me.

I stepped inside, my footsteps echoing in the cavernous space. A few figures moved about, stacking crates and checking inventories. I spotted a burly man with a thick beard and a no-nonsense demeanor.

“Excuse me,” I called out, approaching him. “Are you Gert?”

The man turned, his eyes narrowing. “Who’s asking?”

“Larry,” I replied, holding up the package. “I have a delivery for you from Rodrick at the Union Hall.”

Gert’s gaze shifted from the package to my face, his eyes narrowing further as he studied me. For a moment, I wondered if he was going to send me away.

“Alright,” he finally said, his voice a gravelly rumble. “Hand it over.”

I extended the package, and he snatched it from my grasp, inspecting the seal closely before tucking it into his coat pocket.

“Looks like everything’s in order,” he grunted, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a single coin. “Consider it a tip for a job well done. Don’t spend it all in one place, now.”

I caught the coin with a grateful nod. “Thank you, Gert,” I said earnestly, tucking the coin away safely.

Gert grunted in response, a hint of amusement in his eyes. “You do that, Larry. Now, back to the Union Hall with you. Rodrick’s not one for tardiness.”

I couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride at completing my first delivery. The city was vast and unforgiving. I navigated through the bustling docks, the smell of saltwater and fish thick in the air. My mind buzzed with the events of the night. For the first time since I arrived in Bilgewater, I felt like I had a foothold, however small it might be.

When I reached the Union Hall, the noise from the tavern inside was a stark contrast to the eerie quiet of the warehouse. Rodrick was still behind his counter, his nose buried in ledgers and paperwork.

“Rodrick,” I called, stepping up to him.

He looked up, his eyes sharp. “Back already? Gert didn’t give you trouble, did he?”

“No trouble,” I replied, shaking my head. “He gave me this,” I added, showing the coin.

Rodrick snorted. “Don’t get used to tips. You’re here to work, not get rich. Anyhow, good job. There’s more where that came from if you keep your head down and do as you’re told.”

“I will,” I promised.

Rodrick’s lips twitched into a slight smile, his skepticism melting away. “Well done, lad,” he conceded, making a note in his ledger. “Seems you’ve got a knack for this after all. Here,” he said, reaching into his pocket and producing another coin. “Consider this your payment for the job. Spend it wisely.”

I accepted the coin with a grateful nod, feeling a sense of camaraderie with the grizzled dwarf. “Is there anything else you need me to do?”

Rodrick glanced around the bustling hall, his gaze lingering on the rowdy group of dwarves at the far end of the room. “Aye, there is,” he said, his voice low and measured. “We’ve got a healer ‘round here, goes by the name of Thali. She’s set up shop in the old warehouse down by dock. I need you to go pay her a visit, see if she can do something about that leg of yours.”

“Consider it done.”

Rodrick nodded, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of his lips. “Good lad,” he said approvingly. “Now get going before I change my mind.”

With a final nod of acknowledgment, I turned and made my way out of the Union Hall, the noise of the rowdy dwarves fading behind me.

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

Thali greeted me with a warm smile as I approached, her eyes twinkling with kindness. “Welcome, traveler,” she said warmly. “What brings you to my humble abode?”

I limped forward, feeling a sense of relief wash over me at the sight of her gentle face. “I’m Larry,” I replied, trying to keep the pain out of my voice. “I was told you might be able to help me with... this,” I gestured to the throbbing bite on my leg.

Thali’s expression softened with sympathy as she examined the wound. “Ah, I see,” she murmured, her fingers hovering over the inflamed skin. “Looks like you’ve been through quite the ordeal. Let’s see what we can do about that, shall we?”

With practiced ease, Thali applied a soothing salve to the wound, her touch gentle but firm. The pain began to ebb away, replaced by a sense of warmth and comfort that spread through my body like a healing balm.

“There, that should do the trick,” she said with a smile, stepping back to admire her handiwork. “You’ll need to rest for a while to let the salve work its magic, but you should be back on your feet in no time.”

“Thank you,” I murmured, the relief evident in my voice.

Thali smiled, her eyes reflecting a depth of compassion. “It’s my pleasure, Larry. Now, hold still while I bandage this up.”

Thali wrapped a clean bandage around my leg, her hands gentle but firm. The soothing salve she had applied earlier eased the throbbing pain, and the secure wrapping felt like a protective barrier against the world.

“There we go,” she said, tying off the bandage. “This should keep it protected. But you’re lucky, you know.”

“Lucky?” I echoed, raising an eyebrow.

Thali nodded, her expression turning serious. “The bite you have is from a spider known for its venom. If it had been a bit deeper, or if you hadn’t come here in time, you might have fallen asleep and never woken up.”

A shiver ran down my spine at her words. “I had no idea it was that serious.”

“It was,” she confirmed, reaching for a small vial on a nearby shelf. “Here, take this potion. It will help counteract any remaining venom in your system. Drink it all.”

I took the vial, uncorked it, and drank the potion in one go. It tasted bitter, but I could feel it working almost immediately, a soothing warmth spreading through my veins.

“Thank you, Thali,” I said earnestly, handing back the empty vial. “I don’t know what I would have done without your help.”

Thali chuckled, a mischievous glint in her eye. “Well, I expect you would have died,” she said matter-of-factly.

I stared at her, momentarily taken aback, before a reluctant smile tugged at my lips. “I suppose that’s one way to put it.”

“Don’t worry about it,” she said, patting my shoulder reassuringly. “Just take care of yourself, and keep an eye out for any more of those nasty critters.”

“I’ll do my best,” I promised, feeling a surge of gratitude for this unexpected ally. “Is there anything else I need to watch out for?”

Thali thought for a moment, then nodded. “Avoid putting too much strain on that leg for a couple of days. The salve will help, but you need to give it time to do its work. And if you feel dizzy or nauseous, come back immediately.”

“Got it,” I said, committing her instructions to memory. “Thanks again, Thali.”

“Anytime, Larry,” she replied with a warm smile. “Take care of yourself out there.”

I limped out of Thali’s clinic, feeling significantly better than I had when I arrived. The night air was cool and refreshing, and despite the lingering ache in my leg, I felt a renewed sense of hope.

The night air was cool against my skin as I made my way back to the Union Hall. The streets were quieter now, with only a few people still out and about. When I reached the hall, Rodrick was still at his post, though the crowd had thinned considerably.

“Rodrick,” I called, stepping up to the counter.

He looked up from his ledger, his eyes sharp. “Back already? How’d it go with Thali?”

“She took care of my leg,” I replied, nodding. “Said I was lucky. The spider’s venom could have been a lot worse.”

Rodrick snorted, a rare smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “You’re tougher than you look, Larry. Good to hear she fixed you up.”

“Thanks,” I said, feeling a swell of pride. “What’s next?”

“Next?” Rodrick echoed, a sly smile creeping across his face. “Next, you get some rest. You’ve had a long night, and we’ve got plenty more work to do tomorrow.”

“You got a place to sleep tonight, Larry?” he asked, his voice softer than before.

I hesitated, scratching the back of my neck. “Not really,” I admitted, trying to sound casual. “I’ll figure something out.”

Rodrick’s face softened, and he let out a sigh. “I had a feeling,” he said, pushing back his chair and standing up. “Come with me.”

Curiosity and a bit of hope surged within me as I followed him through a narrow hallway at the back of the Union Hall. We stopped in front of a small, battered door that looked like it hadn’t been opened in years. Pushing open the door revealed a tiny, dingy closet filled with cleaning supplies and half a dozen dirty looking mops.

“It’s not much,” Rodrick said, turning to look at me, “but it’s better than sleeping in the streets. You can bunk here for now.”

I stepped inside, feeling a mixture of gratitude and relief. “Thank you, Rodrick,” I said earnestly. “This means a lot to me.”

Rodrick nodded, his stern demeanor softening further. “Get some rest, Larry. Tomorrow’s another day, and there’s plenty more work to be done.”

Rodrick gave a final nod before closing the door behind him, leaving me in the quiet, darkened room. I settled onto the cold, hard floor, surrounded by the scent of cleaning chemicals and the sight of grimy mops leaning against the walls. It wasn’t the most inviting place, but it was better than sleeping in the streets.

As I lay back, staring at the cracked ceiling, a sudden glow caught my eye. A shimmering message appeared in the air above me, written in flowing, golden script:

Hidden Quest Complete: Survive the Spider’s Poison - Countdown Paused - 3 hours 52 Minutes!

Rewards:

* One Dingy Mop Closet, plus the Satisfaction of Not Dying in an Alley

* New Class: Probability Paladin

“So, what exactly is a Probability Paladin, you ask? Think of it as a warrior of chance and fortune. You’ve got a knack for turning the odds in your favor, whether it’s dodging a punch or finding a coin on the ground. You’ll be the paladin who can pray to me, and with a little luck, things might just go your way. Just don’t forget, not all luck is the good kind. Bad luck is half of the game. Don’t let a bad beat discourage you from playing your hand.”

“Your first ability, ‘Fortune’s Favor,’ lets you re-roll once a day. And don’t worry, there’s no actual dice. You’ll just feel a nudge in the right direction when you need it most. Got a bad feeling about a situation? Call on ol’ Fortuna, and I might just give you a boost.”

I felt a strange, tingling sensation wash over me, like a burst of energy coursing through my veins. Probability Paladin, huh? It was a weird, unexpected gift, but one that I couldn’t help but feel excited about.

“Nice job, kiddo,” the message continued, as if Fortuna herself were speaking. “You’re tougher than you look. Now, get some sleep in your palace of brooms. Enjoy your new class. You’re a Probability Paladin now, whatever that means. Might come in handy.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle. “Thanks, Fortuna,” I whispered to the empty room, a smile spreading across my face.

I lay back and closed my eyes, letting the absurdity of the situation sink in. Probability Paladin? What kind of class was that? My mind buzzed with curiosity and anticipation. Maybe it meant I could manipulate luck or chance in some way. Considering my life so far, I could use all the luck I could get.

As I drifted off to sleep, the glow of the message faded, leaving me with a sense of strange, comforting warmth. The dingy mop closet might not be luxurious, but at that moment, it felt like a sanctuary. And knowing that Fortuna had her eye on me, even in jest, gave me a little more hope that I could survive whatever Bilgewater threw my way.

Character Sheet: Larry

Race: Goblin

Level: 2

Class: Probability Paladin

Abilities:

Fortune’s Favor: Once per day, Larry can re-roll a failed check or saving throw.

Inventory:

* Bandages and Salve (from Thali)

* Tattered Shirt

* 1 gold coin

* Jury-Rigged Seaweed Slacks: Fashioned from a bit of sail and seaweed found near the docks.