🎵: Dash of the Daring, Babel's Harmony

The Riverbed Inn was a cozy-looking building near the centre of town, with weathered stone walls and a sloping thatched roof. Its windows glowed with warm light. As I pushed open the door, the scent of roasted meat and fresh bread hit me like a wave, making my mouth water.

The tavern was bustling with activity. Adventurers, merchants, and locals mingled at the bar and around sturdy wooden tables. A fire crackled in a large hearth, casting dancing shadows across the room. The warmth of the fire and the laughter of the patrons made the place feel welcoming, and I felt a sense of comfort that had been missing for a long time.

I made my way to the bar, where a stout woman with graying hair was pouring drinks. She looked up as I approached, her eyes narrowing as if assessing whether I was trouble.

"What can I do for you, young man?" she asked, her voice gruff but not unkind.

"Are you Mara?" I asked. When she nodded, I continued, "Goran sent me. Said you might have a room available?"

Mara’s expression softened at the mention of Goran’s name. “Ah, so you’re the newcomer the towns been talking about. Welcome to the Riverbed. I’ve got a room for you—one gold per night, or five gold for the week, and that includes breakfast and supper. But let’s get you something to eat first. You look like you’re about to keel over.”

My grin betrayed my fatigue and hunger. "That would be great, thanks."

Mara nodded towards an empty table near the fire. "Take a seat there. I'll bring you our house special." Nearby, a group of adventurers laughed while a merchant discussed something with a cloaked figure, adding to the lively atmosphere. I felt a little anxious, but the lively atmosphere was still manageable. If it got too crowded or noisy, I could always step outside or retreat to my room.

I settled into the chair, the warmth from the fire seeping into my bones. It felt good to sit down after a day of non-stop deliveries. As I waited for my food, I couldn't help but use my new Identify ability on the surrounding items.

The table, made of [Sturdy Oak], appeared to be resistant to spills and scratches. The mug of ale that appeared in front of me (courtesy of a passing barmaid) was [Riverbed Brew], a local specialty with a hint of honey. I even checked the fireplace, which turned out to be enchanted with [Everglow Flames], a spell that ensured the fire would never go out and always provide a comfortable warmth.

"Having fun?" a voice asked, startling me out of my observations.

I looked up to see Mara standing there, a steaming plate in her hands. She set it down in front of me with a knowing smile.

"New Identify ability?" she asked, her eyes twinkling,

I nodded, a bit embarrassed at being caught. "Is it that obvious?"

Mara chuckled. "All people have the same wide-eyed look when they first get that ability. Now eat up before it gets cold."

I looked down at the plate, my mouth watering at the sight. A thick slice of roast beef, dripping with juices, sat next to a mound of mashed potatoes and a heap of steamed vegetables. Without hesitation, I dug in.

The food was exceptional, with the roast beef tender and juicy, the potatoes creamy and rich, and the vegetables crisp and flavourful. That meal surpassed any I'd had since arriving in Eldoria. As I ate, I used Identify on each bite, marvelling at the information it provided. The beef was [Prime Riverlands Cut], the potatoes [Whipped Goldspuds], and the vegetables a mix of [Sunburst Carrots] and [Crisp Greenbeans]. Each item seemed to have its own story, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder at the magic-infused ingredients.

"This is amazing," I said between bites, looking up at Mara, who was still standing nearby.

She grinned with satisfaction. "Glad you like it. It's my recipe, passed down from my grandmother."

As I finished my meal, feeling full for the first time in days, Mara returned with a key.

"Your room's upstairs, third door on the left," she said, handing me the key. "As I mentioned, breakfast is part of our service, and we serve it from sunrise to mid-morning. Do you need anything else?"

I shook my head, stifling a yawn. "No, thank you. This is perfect."

Mara nodded. "Rest well, then. You look like you've had quite a day."

After handing Mara 5 GP, leaving me with 57 GP jingling in my pocket, I climbed the creaky stairs to my room. A window bathed the small, welcoming space in afternoon light. As I stepped inside, I activated my new Identify ability.

Translucent text appeared as my gaze moved across the room. The bed was draped with a [Patchwork Quilt], each stitched square telling its own story. A [Handcarved Elmwood Table] sat against one wall, its surface bearing the loving marks of its creator's tools. On the nightstand, a [Oak Resin Light Candle] filled the air with a soothing aroma, while an [Heirloom Stool] waited in the corner, its wood smoothed by generations of use.

Each labelled item seemed to hold its own history, transforming this simple rented room into something more—a space where craftsmanship and care had created a humble sort of magic. As I finished examining the last piece, I felt a subtle shift in my perception. With each use, I witnessed the skill growing, so I wasn't surprised when soft blue text materialized before me.

Identify Reached (Common 2)

Identify (Common 2)

Effect: Reveals extra information.

Limitations: Can identify Uncommon tier items with limited detail.

Requirement for Common 3: Identify 10 additional items, at least 5 Uncommon

Settling onto the bed, exhaustion finally caught up with me. The day's events tumbled through my mind - joining the Adventurers' Guild, completing a quest, learning two new abilities, and finding a place to stay. An overwhelming sense of accomplishment filled my chest, something unfamiliar after so long, bringing hope for what lay ahead. Progress like this would have been unthinkable in my old world. Memories of Goran's kind words and Mara's warm hospitality brought a new feeling - a sense of belonging that wrapped around me like a warm blanket.

With a contented sigh, I closed my eyes, letting the sounds of the tavern below lull me to sleep. Tomorrow would bring fresh adventures, but for now, I was just happy to have a full stomach and a soft bed.

***

I woke up feeling refreshed; the comfortable bed at the Riverbed Inn had provided the best sleep I'd had in days. Sunlight filtered through the small window, casting a golden glow across the room. After a hearty breakfast of scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, and warm baked bread that melted in my mouth, I explored the local market.

Stolen novel; please report.

The market was a bustling hive of activity, with vendors hawking their wares and shoppers haggling over prices. Colourful tents swayed in the breeze as I made my way through the crowd, using my Identify ability on items that caught my eye. One stall displayed an array of pungent spices in vibrant hues, while another showcased arranged hand-carved figurines.

Name: Saffron Pouch

Weight (kg): 0.1

Name: Star Anise

Bundle Weight (kg): 0.2

Name: Red Pepper

Sachet Weight (kg): 0.1

Name: Carved Jade Pendant

Weight (kg): 0.1

Name: Wooden Fox Statuette

Weight (kg): 0.2

Children darted between the stalls, their laughter mixing with the bustling sounds of the marketplace, creating a cheerful afternoon atmosphere.

My first stop was an armour stall run by a burly dwarf with a thick beard. His stall displayed different armour, ranging from simple leather to gleaming plate mail.

"What can I do for ya, lad?" he asked gruffly.

"Just checking out the prices," I replied, eyeing a set of leather armour.

The dwarf nodded. "Aye, look. That leather armour there is going for 50 gold pieces. Light, flexible, good for a beginner."

We haggled for a bit, and eventually, I got the leather armour for 43 gold pieces.

You receive: Leather Armour

Name: Leather Armour

Weight (kg): 4

Remaining Gold: 14 GP

Moving on, I came across a merchant selling various bags and pouches. Curious, I asked about items of holding.

The merchant, a tall elf with piercing green eyes, smiled. "Ah, an item of holding? Those are rare and expensive, my friend. A small pouch of holding would set you back at least 500 gold pieces."

I thanked her and moved on. With my hopes for easy inventory management dashed for now, I focused on more attainable items. I browsed through several other stalls, admiring various weapons, trinkets, and potions. The sheer variety of items on display was overwhelming, and I found myself fascinated by the magic that seemed to infuse every aspect of this world. I ended up buying two more basic sets of clothing and threw them into my backpack.

You receive: Two basic sets of clothing

Name: Basic Clothing Set

Weight (kg): 1 each

Remaining Gold: 11 GP

As I wandered through the market, I kept an eye out for any shops selling instruments. To my disappointment, I couldn't find a single one. In this world, musical instruments weren't as common as I'd hoped. I asked a few vendors, but they just shook their heads, telling me that instruments were rare and often custom-made by specialized craftsmen.

Feeling a bit discouraged, I headed back to the Adventurers' Guild. Maybe Goran would have some advice on where to find instruments, or at least some quests to help me earn more gold.

As I entered the guild hall, I noticed a group of adventurers gathered near the quest board. They appeared to be engrossed in a serious discussion. Curious, I approached them, listening in on their conversation.

"...kobolds have been causing trouble for the farmers to the east," a tall, lean man was saying. He had a bow slung across his back and wore light leather armour. "The guild's offering a suitable reward for clearing them out."

"Sounds like a job for us," a woman in plate armour replied. She had a confident stance, and her voice carried authority. "We could use another member, though. Four would be better than three for this."

I wasn't sure if teaming up with others was a good idea yet. My nerves were still on edge because even in this new world, where everything felt strange and overwhelming, my panic attacks made themselves felt. The noise, the crowd, and the constant pressure to prove myself were more than I could handle, and almost forced me to leave the guild hall. I wasn't sure if I was ready to do so, but a part of me knew that I had to overcome my fears if I wanted to survive here. Despite my hesitation, I took a deep breath and stepped forward. I coughed to get their attention and said, “Hello. I couldn't help but overhear. Could I be the extra person for your mission?” The group looked me over, and I noticed the stark contrast of my low level and lack of gear. I shifted under their scrutiny, wondering if I'd overstepped.

"What's your class?" the archer asked.

"I'm a Virtuoso," I replied. "It's a type of Bard class."

The archer's eyebrows furrowed. "A Bard? Just what we need, someone to sing us to sleep. I'm Liam, by the way. This is Kira," he gestured to the woman in plate armour, "and that's Caius." He pointed to a robed figure I hadn't noticed before, who was standing behind them.

Kira looked skeptical. "A Bard? What good is a storyteller going to do us out there?"

"I'm... not your typical bard," I explained. "I can hold my own. My music has combat applications."

Caius, who had been quiet until now, stepped forward. "We could use someone with unique abilities. Those kobolds proved trickier than expected, last time we fought some."

"Assuming you're telling the truth about your... combat music," Kira added, still sounding uncertain.

"I am," I assured them. "And I'm willing to prove it."

Liam nodded. "What's your name?"

"Brendan," I replied.

"By the way, couldn't you get all that from Identifying me?" I asked.

"Of course we identified you," Liam replied, "but it's polite to ask as well."

"So, it's not rude to Identify people?" I asked.

Kira responded with a smile, "No, it's standard practice. Just don't get caught staring at someone too long, especially with your mouth open."

Name: Liam

Classification: Human

Profession: Ranger

Level: 4

Weight (kg): 87

Name: Kira

Classification: Human

Profession: Warrior

Level: 4

Weight (kg): 80

Name: Caius

Classification: Human

Profession: Arcane Mage

Level: 5

Weight (kg): 78

Liam rubbed his chin. "Well, if you're serious about proving yourself, we're heading out to deal with those kobold raiders today. They've been hitting the local farms pretty hard. The pay is good, but it'll be dangerous. Could be an excellent test - see how you handle yourself."

"Just don't expect us to rescue you if things get rough," Kira warned, though her tone had softened somewhat.

I grinned, excitement bubbling inside me. This was the adventure I'd been hoping for. "I'm in," I said firmly.

Kira nodded, her stern expression softening as she crossed her arms. "Alright then. We leave in an hour. Meet us at the east gate."

As the others dispersed to prepare, Liam held me back. "Listen," he said, "kobolds can be tricky. They're small but clever, and they often set traps. Since you're new to this, I think it might be helpful if I teach you some basic tracking skills. It could help you spot signs of kobold activity or avoid their traps."

I nodded eagerly. "That would be great, thanks!"

Liam led me outside and began explaining the basics of tracking. He showed me how to identify fresh tracks, how to estimate how old they were, and how to spot signs of disturbance in the environment that might show traps or hidden passages. He was patient, and his instructions were clear, using examples from his own adventures to illustrate his points.

Nodding, I absorbed the information. I was intrigued, recognizing its value for our upcoming quest. I practiced a bit, with Liam pointing out subtle details in the dirt and foliage that I would have otherwise missed. He even quizzed me on a few examples, testing my new knowledge.

After about an hour of instruction, Liam stood up. "That's all I can teach you for now. We should get ready to head out."

I thanked Liam for the lesson and gathered my belongings. As I headed towards the east gate, I felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. This would be my first real adventure in Eldoria, and I was determined to prove myself to my new companions.

At the gate, I met up with Liam, Kira, and Caius. They all looked prepared for battle, with weapons at the ready and determined expressions on their faces. Caius, who had remained quiet during most of our earlier conversation, gave me a reassuring nod, which helped steady my nerves.

"Ready?" Kira asked, her voice gruff but not unkind.

Party Invitation Received from Liam

Do you accept? [YES/NO]

You have joined Liam's party!

New Quest Available: Kobold Hunt

Do you accept? [YES/NO]

Quest Accepted!

Name: Kobold Hunt

Quest Giver: Eldrin, the local blacksmith

Location: Whispering Woods, near the outskirts of the village

Quest Description: Eldrin has received reports of mischievous kobolds causing trouble in the Whispering Woods mine. These crafty creatures have been stealing supplies from local merchants and disrupting the miners.

Objectives:

* Travel to the Whispering Woods and locate the kobold den.

* Defeat at least 20 kobolds in the den.

* Retrieve any stolen goods and return them to Eldrin.

Reward:

* 50 gold

* Reputation with the Adventurer's Guild

Notes: Kobolds are wily and may try to set traps.

Song Swapped: Babel's Harmony replaced by Rise of the Iron Will

I stared at the quest notification floating before me, the reality of what lay ahead finally sinking in. This wasn't just another delivery run or a simple tracking lesson—this was an actual combat mission destined for bloodshed. Part of me wondered if I was ready for this, but as I looked at my new companions, their confidence seemed to bolster my own. Whatever waited for us in the Whispering Woods, at least I wouldn't face it alone. With a deep breath, I squared my shoulders and nodded to Kira. The time had arrived to demonstrate this Outworlder's true capabilities beyond deliveries.