Liam, with a mix of excitement and tiredness, returned to the Slumbering Drake. As he entered the somewhat quiet atmosphere, he spotted Rolf behind the counter, speaking to a patron. Liam approached him, trying to contain his excitement.
"Rolf... I passed the entrance exam for the guild," Liam announced happily, revealing his copper badge. Rolf's eyes widened for a moment, and then he offered a smile, placing a heavy hand on Liam's shoulder.
"Well done, lad. I knew you had it in you," Rolf said, his voice low. The other patrons in the inn briefly glanced over before returning to their private conversations, acknowledging the news with muted interest.
Rolf gave a brief nod and patted Liam on the back. "Good. Now, go and get some rest. Tomorrow you'll take on your first mission !”
Rolf's voice softened a little, a hint of concern creeping into his tone. "One more thing, Liam. Don't forget to inform Gavric, that you won't be able to take on as many shifts. You'll be preoccupied with guild quests now, and they'll demand your full attention."
Liam frowned, realizing he hadn't thought to let Gavric know. "Right, I'll make go ther now before it is too late. Thanks for reminding me, Rolf."
Rolf nodded, his stoic expression briefly giving way to a knowing smile. "Of course, lad. It's important to tie up loose ends and leave on good terms. You never know when you might need to rely on old connections."
As the evening approached, Liam gathered his courage and made his way to Hermes Sandals, the courier business where he had been working until now. The familiar building stood before him, and he hesitated for a moment, taking in the sight of the place that had been a significant part of his life.
He stepped inside, the familiar chime of the entrance bell announcing his arrival. Gavric, the owner of the business, looked up from the counter, and his eyes widened in surprise upon seeing Liam. "Ah, Liam! Wasn't expecting you at this hour. What brings you here?"
Liam swallowed the lump in his throat, trying to find the right words. "Gavric, I... I came to let you know that I won't be able to work as a courier anymore. I've just been accepted into the adventure guild, and I'll be going on quests from now on."
Gavric raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by the news. "Well, well, that's quite the change, Liam. I have to say, I'm a little sad to see you go. You've been a reliable courier, always on time and rarely making mistakes." He paused, a thoughtful expression on his face, before continuing, "But, I understand that people have to follow their own paths. If this is what you want, then I wish you the best of luck."
After saying goodbye to Gavric, Liam returns to the inn with a mix of excitement and exhaustion from the day's events. As he enters the inn, he is greeted by the warm, inviting atmosphere and the familiar scents of home-cooked meals. Rolf notices Liam's return and gives him a nod of approval, knowing that he has taken the first steps on his new journey.
Liam sits down and enjoys a hearty evening meal, which Rolf has prepared to celebrate his success in the trials. As he eats, Liam reflects on the day's events and the camaraderie he felt with his new teammates. He was usually ignored or bullied growing after his father died and never had much chance to talk to people his own age. He can't help but feel a growing sense of pride and anticipation for the adventures that await him as a member of the adventure guild.
After finishing his meal, Liam thanks Rolf for his support and guidance and then heads to his small room at the back of the inn. As he prepares for bed, Liam takes a moment to meditate, centering himself and focusing on the energy within him. The meditation brings him a sense of calm and clarity, helping him to let go of any lingering doubts or fears about his new path.
With his mind at ease, Liam finally crawls into bed, his body weary but satisfied from the day's exertions. As he drifts off to sleep, his thoughts are filled with visions of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. And although he knows that the path won't be easy, he is determined to face it head-on, using his newfound strength to protect those in need and make a difference in the world.
Liam settles into a comfortable seated position on the floor of his room, his back straight and legs crossed. He takes several deep, slow breaths, inhaling through his nose and exhaling through his mouth. With each breath, he feels his body relax, releasing the tension that had built up during the day.
As he continues to breathe, Liam starts to visualize his light energy as a warm, golden glow emanating from deep within his core. This inner light represents the essence of his power, his ability to create, protect, and heal. He imagines the light energy as a constant, steady flow, swirling around his core before branching out through his body.
Liam awoke with a newfound sense of clarity, feeling refreshed and invigorated from his meditation the night before. He went about his morning routine and then set off to the Adventure Guild, known as the Valiant Vanguard, with determination in his stride.
As he walked through the streets of Farandor, he couldn't help but notice the contrast between the cold, functional architecture of the city and the vibrant energy he felt within himself. The anticipation of a new beginning with the Valiant Vanguard filled Liam with excitement.
Upon reaching the guild's grand entrance, Liam took a deep breath and pushed open the large wooden doors.
The main room of The Vanguard Coalition is a large, bustling space filled with adventurers of various ranks and specialties. The high, vaulted ceiling is adorned with banners bearing the emblem of the guild, an intricate design depicting a shield and a sword. Magical torches mounted along the walls emit a soft, warm glow that bathes the entire room in a welcoming light.
In the center of the room, a colossal wooden notice board displays a multitude of quests and missions that adventurers can undertake. Adventurers gather around the board, discussing strategies and forming parties to tackle the challenges that await them. On either side of the notice board, rows of long wooden tables and benches provide space for members to enjoy a meal, share stories, and exchange tips and techniques.
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To the right of the main entrance, a well-stocked bar offers a variety of refreshments, from simple ale to exotic elixirs. Here, off-duty adventurers and veterans swap tales of their past exploits, the jovial atmosphere punctuated by bursts of laughter and good-natured banter.
In one corner of the room, a group practice incantations and hand movements under the watchful eye of a skilled instructor. The sounds of a friendly spar can be heard from behind a closed door in one of the guilds duelling halls.
As Liam scans the room, his attention is drawn to a lively conversation between a group of adventurers gathered near the bar. They are speaking in hushed, excited tones, clearly discussing something they deem quite significant.
Curiosity piqued, Liam edges closer and listens in on the exchange. One adventurer, a stout dwarf with a bushy beard, slams his tankard onto the table, exclaiming, "I'm tellin' ya, it's the real deal! The Sunken City of Yrthall is no longer just a myth. They found it, I swear!"
A tall, lean man with an intricate tattoo along her left arm raises an eyebrow skeptically, "Are you certain? There have been so many false leads in the past. Besides, who even found it?"
The dwarf leans in closer, lowering his voice to a conspiratorial whisper, "A crew of treasure hunters led by none other than Captain Marik himself. He's a sly one, but his sources are usually reliable. They stumbled upon an ancient map that led them straight to the lost city."
The man, now clearly intrigued, leans in as well. "If this is true, there must be untold riches waiting to be discovered. Not to mention the wealth of knowledge hidden within the city's ancient archives." He replies wistfully.
The rest of the group nod in agreement, their excitement palpable. Liam can't help but feel drawn in by their conversation. The Sunken City of Yrthall, a legendary location steeped in mystery and adventure, has been sought after by countless treasure hunters and explorers for centuries. If it has truly been found, this could lead to a whole new world of opportunity and adventure for those daring enough to seek it out.
Liam headed straight to the receptionist, remembering her kind and welcoming demeanour. As he approached the counter, she looked up and greeted him with a warm smile.
"Good morning, Liam! Ready for your first day as an official member of the Vanguard Coalition?"
Liam couldn't help but smile back as he nodded, "Yes, I'm ready to take on my first mission. But first I need to find the others I was paired with yesterday."
He scans the room, searching for the familiar faces of his teammates from the entrance exam. Spotting them gathered near one of the mission boards, he makes his way over, and as he approaches, they all turn to greet him.
"Hey, Liam!" Malik exclaims, grinning broadly. "Glad to see you here, brother. We were just discussing which missions to take up as our first assignment as a team. What do you think? Are you up for some adventure?"
Lila, more reserved but still smiling, nods her agreement. "We made a great team during the trials, Liam. It would be wonderful to continue working together."
Liam, filled with excitement at the prospect of tackling missions with these newfound allies, can't help but smile in return. "Absolutely. Let's see what we can find on the mission board and start our journey as a team."
The copper ranked missions, intended for newcomers to the guild, are generally mundane tasks that help them gain experience before tackling more dangerous endeavors. Many of the assignments posted on the board involve simple objectives that don't require much skill or teamwork.
After greeting each other and scanning the mission board for a while, the trio come to a realization. Most of the available copper rank missions are simple tasks that don't require a full group effort.
Liam scratches his head, "Well, it looks like most of these missions are better suited for solo attempts. They're pretty basic and don't seem to require much teamwork. It would be a waste to split the rewards."
Malik nods in agreement, "You're right, but it was worth checking. We should definitely keep an eye out for more challenging missions that we can tackle together."
Lila chimes in, "Absolutely. It would be great to work as a team again. For now, though, it's probably best if we each take on some solo missions to build up our experience."
Malik happily takes a mission from a local craftsman requesting somebody with wind a wind attuned spirit, he saunters up to the counter to register.
After several moments Lila spots a slip of paper from a concerned parent about their child’s pet bagercat, an interesting creature with a long snout .
Liam sees an interesting herb collection notice posted and takes a moment to read it.
A local herbalist is seeking a rare herb called Moonblossom, which grows in a secluded part of the nearby forest. The herb is known for its vibrant blue petals that seem to emit a soft, ethereal glow during moonlit nights. Upon successful completion of the mission, the adventurer will be rewarded with 1 gold coin and a vial of the herbalist's finest healing potion.
Moonblossom plants are best collected during a new moon, as their ethereal glow is more pronounced, making them easier to locate.
Liam is happy to take this mission, he will be able to summon light to guide his way even under a dark sky.
Liam approaches the receptionist's desk, the mission scroll in hand, and catches the attention of the receptionist, Isabella. She smiles warmly at him, her vibrant green eyes lighting up with recognition.
"Ah, Liam! Welcome back. Ready for your first mission?" she asks, her voice friendly and encouraging. Liam nods and presents her with the mission board he has chosen, detailing the Rare Herb Collection task. Isabella takes the board from him and carefully scans the information before nodding in approval.
Isabella's smile turns slightly more serious as she adds a word of caution. "Liam, you proved yourself capable in the trial. However, I should warn you that the forest and wilderness can be quite dangerous, especially for a young person. The main roads are usually patrolled but when you venture outside you will be on your own."
She leans in a bit closer, her eyes showing genuine concern. "Before you head out, I would strongly advise you to get some proper camping supplies. A tent, a warm sleeping bag, some food, and other essentials will go a long way in ensuring your safety and comfort during your journey."
Liam nods, appreciating Isabella's advice and concern for his well-being. "Thank you, Isabella. I'll make sure to stock up on supplies before I leave. Better safe than sorry, right?"
Isabella smiles, pleased with Liam's responsible attitude. "Exactly! I'm glad you understand. There's a shop not far from here that sells quality camping gear. You should be able to find everything you need there. Good luck, and stay safe out there!"
With a grateful nod, Liam heads towards the mentioned shop to prepare himself for his first mission in the wilds, taking to heart the wise words of the helpful receptionist.
Isabella smiles, pleased with Liam's responsible attitude. "Exactly! I'm glad you understand. There's a shop not far from here that sells quality camping gear.”
"You'll find 'Venture Outfitters' just a few streets from here. It's owned by a retired iron rank adventurer, and they stock everything you might need for a trip into the wild."
“If you catch him in a good mood he will share some advice for your mission”.
Liam takes out a small notebook Rolf had provided him to jot down the information, and Isabella continues, "Just head east along the main street from the guild hall, and you'll find it on the left side after about three blocks. It has a wooden sign with a backpack and a lantern painted on it. You can't miss it."
"Thank you, Isabella," Liam replies, closing his notebook and tucking it away.
With a grateful nod, Liam heads towards the mentioned shop to prepare himself for his first mission in the wilds.