🎵: Dash of the Daring, Babel's Harmony

With force, I pushed open the heavy wooden door of the Adventurers' Guild, my heart pounding with anticipation. My palms were damp, and my shoulders tensed as I braced for whatever lay beyond. The interior, bathed in the soft light of lanterns, revealed rough-hewn tables and benches. The air smelled of leather, sweat, and something I couldn't quite place—maybe adventure itself.

A few people glanced up as I entered, their eyes sizing me up before returning to their drinks or conversations. I felt out of place, like a squire who'd stumbled into a wizard's tower. My skin prickled with unease, and I could feel the weight of every glance in the room, causing me to fidget on my feet.

"Can I help you?" a gruff voice called out.

I turned to see a man behind a counter, his arms crossed over his chest. A scar ran down one side of his face, giving him a fierce appearance that was softened by the twinkle in his eye. He was a stout man with a weathered face, giving off the aura of someone who had seen his fair share of adventures.

"Uh, yeah," I said, approaching the counter. "I'm new here. Mayor Thorn said I should check out the guild before anything else."

Goran's eyebrows shot up. "Oh, you're an Outworlder. Didn't think we'd see one of you here." He stuck out his hand. "I'm Goran. I'm in charge of this place." He chuckled. "You wouldn't usually find a guild in a tiny town like this. I used to run a much bigger one in a city, but I wanted to slow down. So here I am, spending my senior years managing this little outfit in the middle of nowhere."

I shook his hand, trying not to wince at his iron grip. "I'm Brendan. Nice to meet you."

Goran nodded. "Welcome to Riverhaven, Brendan. And welcome to Eldoria."

Eldoria?" I repeated, testing the names on my tongue.

"Aye, Riverhaven's our town here, and Eldoria's the name of this continent you've found yourself on." Goran leaned forward, resting his elbows on the counter. "Now, I'm guessing you want to know about becoming an adventurer, eh?"

I nodded eagerly. "Yes, please. I'm not really sure where to start."

Goran chuckled. "Well, you've come to the right place. The Adventurers' Guild is where you'll find work, train, and connect with other adventurers." He paused, giving me a knowing look. "First things first, though—there's an admission fee to join."

My heart sank. "A fee? I... I don't have any money."

Goran's eyes narrowed. "No money at all? Hmm. Well, we might work something out. Got any items you could sell?"

I brightened, remembering my recent battles. "Oh! Yeah, I've got some stuff." I pulled out the Blue Hare pelts and meat, along with the Guardian pelt and tooth and finally the wolf's teeth and pelt.

Goran's eyebrows shot up. "Well, well. Looks like you've been busy already. Let's see what we've got here." He examined each item, nodding to himself. "These'll do nicely. That'll cover your admission fee and leave you with just a couple of extra gold."

"Sounds good to me," I said, relieved.

Goran disappeared into a back room for a moment, returning with a small pouch that clinked as he set it on the counter. "Here's your gold. Now, let's get you registered."

You receive: 5 GP

He pulled out a large ledger and a quill. "Name's Brendan, right? And what's your class?"

"Virtuoso," I replied.

Goran paused, his quill hovering over the page. "Virtuoso? That's a new one. What exactly does a Virtuoso do?"

I explained about my ability to use songs for various effects. Goran absorbed every word, his eyes widening.

"Fascinating," he muttered. "We've had bards before in the big city and even that was rare, but never a Virtuoso. You might be quite valuable around here."

"Questions?" Goran asked.

I nodded, taking in all the information Goran had shared. As I glanced around the guildhall, a question popped into my mind.

"Are there only humans here in this world?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me.

Goran burst out laughing, his booming voice filling the guildhall. "Just humans?"

He got closer to me, lowering his voice like he was sharing a secret. "Look around, kid. You might glimpse some non-human's right here in this room."

"Notice that guy over there? That's Dridal, one of our dwarf members. Tough as nails and can drink anyone under the table."

My eyes widened as I took in Dridal's stout frame and intricate braids woven into his beard. Seeing a real dwarf for the first time, I felt both excitement and the surreal.

Goran's finger shifted, directing my attention to a lithe figure perched on a stool at the bar. At first glance, they looked human, but as I studied them more closely, I noticed pointed ears peeking through long, silvery hair.

"And that there is Aelindra," Goran explained. "She's an elf. Light on her feet and deadly with a bow. Don't let the delicate appearance fool you—she's one of our top rangers."

I marvelled at Aelindra's ethereal beauty and the grace with which she moved, even in such a simple act as lifting a mug to her lips. It was like watching a living work of art.

"Wow," I breathed, feeling a bit overwhelmed. "I did not know. Why haven't I seen any other races until now?"

Goran shrugged. "Riverhaven's pretty deep in human territory. The Empire of Eldoria stretches far and wide, and humans make up most of the population here. But don't worry, you'll encounter plenty of other races as you venture out on quests. If you explore the other continents of Lyserion, that is the name of this world, you will find more of the other races and fewer humans as they claim ownership of those continents."

I nodded, attempting to comprehend all this new information about waking up in a strange new world and finding out that species I had only ever encountered in fantasy books inhabited it. That was a whole new level of surreal.

I thought for a moment. "Is there anything else I should know about the guild or Riverhaven?"

Goran stroked his beard. "Well, the guild offers training facilities for members. You can practice your skills, spar with other adventurers, or even take lessons on various subjects. As for Riverhaven, it's not the ideal place to start an adventuring career. Bigger cities and towns are usually founded around dungeons or areas where monsters of varying strengths are plentiful. Out here in the middle of nowhere, we don't have that luxury. But don't let that discourage you—there should still be enough quests and monsters to help you gain some levels before you need to move on to another region. We're a small trading hub, so you'll find a few travelers passing through. Keep your ears open—you never know what opportunities might come up."

He glanced around the guild hall. "Oh, and one more thing. The guild's a place for cooperation, not competition. We look out for our own here. If you're ever in trouble, ask for help."

I felt a warmth in my chest at those words. Knowing I wasn't alone in this strange new world was comforting.

"Thanks, Goran," I said sincerely. "I really appreciate all the help."

"Now, let me give you a rundown on how things work around here."

Goran explained the guild operated on a level system similar to individual adventurers. "We've got quests ranging from level 1 to level 20. You'll want to start with the lower-level quests and work your way up as you gain experience."

He pointed to a large board on one wall, covered in various notices. "That's our quest board. You'll find all available quests there, sorted by level. Each quest will have a description of the task, the reward, and any special requirements."

I nodded, taking it all in. "And how do the quest levels work, exactly?"

"Good question," Goran said. "The quest level shows the recommended adventurer level to complete it. A level 1 quest should be manageable for a level 1 adventurer, while a level 20 quest would require a raid size group or even an army. It's not just about combat difficulty—higher-level quests often require more complex problem-solving, negotiation skills, or specialized knowledge."

He leaned in, his voice lowering. "Word of advice—don't bite off more than you can chew. Stick to quests requirements that are at or below your level until you're comfortable. No shame in playing it safe, especially when you're just starting out."

"Got it," I said, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. "So, what's the first step?"

Goran smiled. "Well, now that you're registered, I'll assign you some quests to see how you do." He led me over to the quest board and started handing me quest after quest, all dealing with deliveries.

New Quest Available: The Guild Test -Courier's Round

Do you accept? [YES/NO]

Quest Accepted!

Name: The Guild Test - Courier's Round

Difficulty: Moderate

Location: Riverhaven and Surrounding Areas

Stolen story; please report.

Quest Giver: Guildmaster Goran

Description: To prove your worth as a potential guild member, demonstrate your reliability and ability to navigate the region by completing a series of deliveries. Some destinations may be dangerous - show him you can handle yourself while ensuring packages reach their destinations.

Objectives:

* Deliver medicine package to Old Man Weber's Farm

* Deliver seed supplies to Thompson Farm

* Deliver sealed documents to the Merchant's Shop in Riverhaven Market

* Deliver fabric bundle to Mrs. Haversham's Tailoring Shop on Market Street

* Deliver books to Professor Wells at the Town School

* Deliver a supply crate to the Guard at the gate of Millbrook

* Return to Guildmaster Goran once all deliveries are complete

Note: This quest must be completed to fulfil the "Pass the Guild Test" requirement of your "Joining a Guild" quest.

Time Limit: 2 days

Rewards:

* Completion of "Pass the Guild Test" objective

Goran stroked his beard, his eyes narrowed with concentration. "Before you rush off to do those quests, here is an incentive. There are two skills you get right away from me if I am happy with your work: Identify and Cartography. They're essential for any adventurer worth their salt."

My interest piqued. "What do those skills do?"

I hung on Goran's words as he leaned in, looking eager to tell me more."Identify is really crucial when you're out adventuring. It helps you figure out what you've found—like how much stuff is worth, what it can do, and if it's got any special magic. It even tells you a monster's or person's name and level. Without this skill, you might miss something valuable or end up carrying something risky without realizing it."

I thought back to the pelts and tooth I'd just sold. "So, if I had Identify, I might have known more about what those items were worth?"

Goran replied, "Well, not exactly. As you level the skill up, it would tell you the monetary value, but not at level 1. Identify can also reveal hidden properties of weapons, armour, and magical artifacts. It's invaluable for making informed decisions about what to keep, use, or sell."

"And what about cartography?" I asked, intrigued.

Goran told me about the Map skill. "It's just as crucial," he said. "With Cartography, you can make and update a magic map of places you check out. But get this—it's not some old-school paper map. It's like a live document that's part of your System display. It changes as you find new spots, landmarks, and cool stuff." He added that there were tons of ways to show it on my display, and I'd just need to mess around with it until I found what worked best for me.

I let out an appreciative whistle. "Wow, that's pretty handy. I guess I won't have to worry about losing my way in the forest anymore, right?"

"These abilities seem outstanding," I said, my mind racing with possibilities.

He clapped me on the shoulder, throwing me off balance. "Now, enough chatter. Why don't you go introduce yourself to some of your fellow guild members? It's always good to build connections early on."

I swallowed hard, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. "Right. Thanks, Goran. I'll do that."

I gave a quick nod and spun around to face the guild's interior. Instead of meeting people right away, I checked out the quests Goran gave me. A few were for locations right here in Riverhaven—dropping off packages to local shopkeepers or residents. Others involved trips to nearby farms, and one even required a journey to a town called Millbrook, about half a day’s walk away.

While collecting the quest items from the clerk's desk, I felt overwhelmed by the growing pile of supplies.

You receive: Misc Parcels

"Uh, Goran?" I called out. "I don't think I can carry all of this stuff to complete these quests."

Goran looked up from his ledger, his eyebrows raised. "Bit off more than you can chew, eh?" He chuckled, then reached under the counter. "Here, this should help."

He handed me a simple leather cord with a small pouch attached. "It's a necklace of holding. Think of it like... well, imagine a space that exists between here and there. To store something, just hold the item close to the pouch and think about putting it inside. To get something out, picture what you want and reach in—the magic will do the rest."

You receive: Necklace of Holding

I held one package near the pouch, concentrating, as Goran had explained. To my amazement, the package seemed to blur at the edges before gliding into the tiny pouch, which didn't bulge or change shape at all. Fascinated, I tried again with another package, then another, watching each time as they vanished into the bottomless space.

"This is incredible," I breathed, reaching into the pouch while thinking about the first package I'd stored. My fingers touched it and I pulled it out, marvelling as it emerged from the tiny opening. "It's like the pouch knows exactly what I want to retrieve."

"That's the beauty of it," Goran nodded, clearly amused by my wonderment. "The magic responds to your intentions. No fumbling around in the dark trying to find what you need."

After storing all the packages, I couldn't resist testing it further. I pulled out items in distinct orders, stored them again, and each time, the magic seamlessly worked. It was like having an invisible storage room hanging around my neck.

"Now get going. Those deliveries won't make themselves."" Goran said, returning to his ledger.

I set out into Riverhaven. The town blurred around me as I zipped from one delivery to the next; the wind whipping against my face and the buildings streaking by in a haze of colour, dropping off packages to surprised shopkeepers and wide-eyed residents.

"How did you get here so fast?" one woman asked as I handed her a small parcel.

I just grinned and shrugged. "I'm a quick walker."

While the farm deliveries took longer, my song helped me cover the distance between them in a flash. The fields were a vibrant green, dotted with wildflowers, and I could hear the distant lowing of cattle and the rustling of leaves as the breeze swept through. The earthy scent of tilled soil mixed with the fresh smell of hay, adding a sense of tranquillity to the journey. I enjoyed the rhythm of it—the rush of speed, the brief interactions with the farmers, then back on the road again.

Before I knew it, I was standing at the edge of Riverhaven, staring down the road that led to Millbrook. The sun was still high in the sky, and I felt a surge of confidence.

"Might as well keep going," I said to myself, and broke into a run.

The trip to Millbrook was a total rush. I still used my strategy of run and walk to ensure I always had spare mana in case of trouble. A few creatures tried to jump me but they couldn't touch me and abandoned their attempt.

I reached Millbrook in what felt like no time at all, my hair windswept and a wide grin on my face. The town guard looked startled as I approached, not expecting anyone to arrive at such speed.

"Delivery from Riverhaven," I said, trying to act casual as I handed over the package.

The guard blinked in surprise. "But... the sun's still up. How did you—"

I just winked and headed back after he signed my quest slip, leaving the confused guard in my wake.

The return trip was just as quick, and I found myself back in Riverhaven's guild hall before sunset. Goran's jaw dropped as I walked in.

"Brendan? What are you doing back already? I thought for sure you'd need to spend the night in Millbrook. You give up?"

I shrugged, trying to play it cool despite my excitement. "Guess I'm a faster walker than you expected." I smiled, pulling out my completed quest slips and placing them on the counter.

Goran checked them over, his eyebrows climbing higher with each one. "Well, I'll be damned. You've completed all those quests already?"

Joining the Guild Quest Completed!

* Experience Points: 100

* Items: Beginner’s Guild Badge, Healing Potion x2, Identify Skill, Cartography Skill

* Currency: 50 Gold Pieces

* Special Abilities or Titles: Title: "Guild Novice"

I nodded, catching Goran’s eye as he shook his head in disbelief. With a grunt, he handed me a pouch that jingled with the weight of coins. "Well, I’ve got to hand it to you, kid. You’ve earned every bit of this—payment for all the deliveries, plus a little extra for getting the job done so fast." He then reached into his pack and pulled out two healing potions, handing them over with a nod. "Take these too. You never know when you might need 'em."

You receive: 55 GP

You receive: Two small healing potions

I grinned, feeling the weight of the gold in my hand. "Thanks, Goran. Oh, and here's your necklace back."

You return: Necklace of holding

As I handed over the necklace of holding, I couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. My first day as an adventurer, and I'd already made a name for myself. Maybe this new world wasn't so bad after all.

"Here is your Beginner's Guild badge," the Guildmaster said, handing me a small, polished pin. The emblem glinted in the light, bearing the crest of the Adventurer’s Guild—a shield crossed with a sword and quill. Although meager, it represented new beginnings. I took it with a sense of pride and pinned it to my shirt, feeling its weight settle against my chest. Despite its simplicity, it launched my journey, confirming my belonging to something greater.

You receive: Novice guild Badge

"Yo, Goran," I called out, strolling up to the desk with a big smile. "So, did I make the cut?"

"Usually, I take a couple of weeks and assign a few tasks to figure out if someone's got what it takes, but you? You knocked my socks off on day one, kid." He handed me something. "These are for you. The red stamp means Identify, and the blue one's for Map."

You receive: Identify Scroll

You receive: Cartography Scroll

"So, how do I use them?" I asked, turning the scrolls over in my hands.

"Just break the seal and read the words aloud," Goran explained. "The magic will do the rest."

I nodded, then cracked the red seal on the Identify scroll. The moment the wax cracked, tiny motes of crimson light escaped, dancing in the air like sparks from a magical flame. As I unrolled the parchment, strange symbols and glyphs shimmered and shifted, seeming to float just above the surface of the scroll. They pulsed with an inner light, each one a different colour that rippled across the page like aurora borealis.

I read the arcane words flowing from my lips as if I'd known them all my life. Each syllable released a small burst of iridescent energy that swirled around me, creating a spiral of a luminescent script that spun faster and faster. The magic built until it reached a crescendo, then rushed inward with a soft whoosh, seeping into my skin like starlight being absorbed.

A warm sensation washed over me, starting at my temples and flowing down to my fingertips. The world shifted into sharp focus, as if I'd just opened my eyes for the first time. I glanced around the guild hall, and information about various objects and people flooded my mind, each revelation accompanied by tiny sparkles of insight that danced at the edges of my vision.

Skill Acquired: Identify (Common 1)

Identify (Common 1)

Effect: Grants the user basic proficiency in identifying magical items, creatures, and environmental effects. This skill improves your ability to discern magical properties, providing more accurate information on an item's enchantments, a creature's strengths and weaknesses, or the nature of hidden traps or puzzles. As the skill develops, you can identify higher-level enchantments and more obscure magic with greater precision.

Limitations: Currently can only reliably identify Common tier items. Reveals basic information such as the name of an item (e.g., "Bag").

Requirement for Common 2: Use the Identify skill on 10 Common items.

Description: "Seeing is believing, but understanding? That takes magic!" The Identify skill lets you figure out what you're dealing with, whether it's a shiny trinket or a mysterious artifact. It's like having an ancient librarian in your head, minus the shushing.

"Whoa," I breathed, blinking rapidly.

Goran chuckled. "Takes some getting used to, doesn't it? Try not to get overwhelmed."

I nodded, then turned my attention to the Map scroll. As I broke the blue seal, azure light spilled from the crack like liquid starlight. The magic surged through me, and a translucent mini-map popped into existence in the corner of my vision.

Skill Acquired: Cartography (Common 1)

Cartography (Common 1)

Effect: A basic minimap of the current area. Shows only large features like towns, rivers, and mountains.

Limitations: Initially limited to showing only the immediate area and major landmarks. More detailed and advanced features require levelling up the skill.

Requirement for Common 2: Explore 5 new areas.

Synergy: Works with tracking skills!

Description: "Exploration is the key to adventure, but a map ensures you don't get hopelessly lost!" The Map skill provides you with a visualization of your surroundings, much like a magical minimap that grows in detail and utility as you become more experienced. Think of it as having a cartographer fairy on your shoulder, who occasionally says, 'Trust me, you don't want to go that way.'

"This is incredible," I said, watching as the map expanded to show Riverhaven as I focused my thoughts. I just couldn't wait to level this baby up.

"Aye, it is," Goran agreed. "Now, don't go trying to map the entire world at once. Start small and let it grow as you explore."

I nodded, still marvelling at my new abilities. "Thanks, Goran. This is... amazing."

He waved a hand dismissively, but I could see the pride in his eyes. "Just doing my job, lad. Now, you look like you could use a meal and a rest. Why don't you head over to the Riverbed Tavern? Tell Mara I sent you, and she'll set you up with a room."

The aroma of spicy stew still lingered in my memory from Mayor Thorn's treat at the market square earlier–a meal where I'd finally opened up about my world over bread and conversation. Those stories had taken more out of me than any song I could perform. Now, the thought of a proper bed made my shoulders sag with relief. "That sounds perfect."