Eric awoke the following day, his head was pounding and an unread message sat blinking in the corner of his vision. He groaned and went to scratch his chin when a bird poked it's head out and pecked at his hand, it flew out and hoovered in front of his face twittering in what seemed like an aggressive manner before pecking between his eyes and disappearing back into his beard.

"What did I do?"

Needless to say there was no answer so he looked at the unread message.

Once again you was too slow to make a choice so the choice has been made for you +1 luck, +3 con, +1dex.

Perk: Bellringer, striking metal with your weapon creates a minor shockwave causing extra damage to your target and attracting attention.

Ability: Stunning strike, focus energy into your next attack giving it a high chance to stun. 1 Sec cast, Cost: 10 stam.

Looking at the Bellringer perk he wondered if striking his own shield would activate it, something to try later.

He sat up and groaned as the world stared to spin for a brief while. Already clothed he left the room to see about breakfast, everyone else was already sat at a table in the corner of the room waiting on him, Uruk waved him over.

"Don't worry we already ordered food."

"Oh? What are we having?"

"Breakfast."

Before he could ask for more details Uruk dropped a scrap of paper in front of him.

"Found us a job."

He read the scrap bit of paper out loud.

"Moonray village is suspected of cult activity, find where they are and dispose of them."

Incoming message: "Oh my, that sounds seriously dangerous, I think it would be better if you didn't go there. Good thing you picked up an easier job last night isn't it *wink wink*. Check your right trouser pocket sweetie, x x Inclusion.

P.s it's a dungeon run, good gear and a free perk upgrade for first time completion.

P.p.s, dungeon born creatures are magically generated and not technically alive so they don't need to be included in any society (in case you are worried about that).

He had heard the others speaking but hadn't really taken in what they had been saying while he read the message. He was brought back into the world by Uruk slapping his arm however.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

"Pay attention will you."

"Sorry I drank a bit much last night, should be fine after some food, I actually picked up another job last night."

He fumbled with his pocket trying to find what Inclusion had left for him. He ended up pulling out a pink laced handkerchief with the quest details roughly scribbled on, he passed it to Uruk who read it out.

"Solar village farming community's local dungeon has been over-producing kobolds. Several groups of them have been destroying crops and attacking the farmers. Clear them out before entering the dungeon to find out what's causing this."

He dropped the handkerchief on the table.

"Really? Kobolds? A local militia could handle that."

"Eric nodded trying to think of a reasonable response.

"Apparently first completion of the dungeon gives a free perk upgrade, getting that first would make dealing with the cultists easier."

"I don't want easier I want a challenge, besides, leaving cultists unchecked is a bad idea."

"Well, I would very much like to get home to my family, we are getting the perk upgrade first."

Uruk slammed his hand on the table and they both sat there staring at each other. A nervous looking service girl approached with a large platter of food including bread, butter cheese and several meaty bones.

"You guys ain't gonna start fightin are ya?"

Not bothering to answer Uruk simply grabbed the biggest meatiest bone from the plate and stomped out the pub. Eric thanked the waitress for the platter before turning towards the group.

"Do you think I am wrong?"

Surprisingly it was Fred who spoke first.

"The perk upgrade sounds nice, but can't we do that after dealing with the cultists?"

Eric nodded

"We could, but how many crops will be lost in the meantime? I doubt the cultists will be going anywhere any time soon. While I don't know what the perk upgrade will be, I don't doubt it would be helpful. Plus we get a little more experience working the job before moving on to something harder."

Fred nodded looking towards the others. Annie shrugged, not really bothered either way, Astrid agreed with the plan but agreed with Uruk that they shouldn't spend too long on it. They then spent the rest of the time in silence finishing up their meal before paying the bill and leaving.

When they got outside they were greeted by Uruk who was waiting with several horse like mounts. They looked liked horses save for the fact they were covered in brightly coloured feathers, and had tiny wings on their flanks that flapped around seemingly without purpose. Their saddle was thick with a pair of seats and a belt hanging down the side.

Uruk waved them over looking really pleased with himself.

"Hey, look what I found, with these we should be able to do your quest and be back here today, putting us one day behind instead of three."

Annie jumped up and down giggling.

"Aww, they are cute, I wanna ride the red one with you."

"Sure, Mr leader man can have the smaller yellow one to himself, you two got the green one."

Incoming message: Not acceptable, you need to delay.

"I don't know how to ride."

"Doesn't matter, the saddles are made specially for novices, just sit down, hold on and off we go."

Uruk lifted Annie onto the front saddle of the red one before hopping on behind her, Astrid helped Fred onto the green one before jumping on behind him. Eric hesitated briefly before jumping on the back of the yellow one who made a noise between a squark whinny. A map came up showing the destinations the creature knew, he selected the southern point highlighted with a yellow exclamation point with a brief summary of his "Help the farmers quest". As soon as he did the strange creature bolted in the direction of the village, he was vaguely aware of Uruk yelling something but the wind blowing in his ears and the clopping of the creatures feet on the ground drowned the sound out completely. The world blurred around him as he held on for dear life, ducking his head down so he could breath, unable to do anything thing else he just waited out the otherwise smooth, uneventful journey.