Private Tales Job Opportunity

[Smiling One]

(OOC: Takes place six years ago.)

Daybreak Village, the quaint little town that lay in the upper portion of The Gold Road. Despite its small population and relativity quiet nature, numerous trade routes meet in Daybreak Village due to it lying between the Dwarven town of Belgrath and Alliria: Willis' home town. Daybreak Village atmosphere is best described as relaxed with the inhabitants going from their day to day business. Willis passed through this town many times in his travels to and from Alliria every time he visited, he didn't want to leave.

There was something about this town was relaxing, whether it was the laid back approach that the villagers take or even the cool breezes that pass by every now and then. Daybreak Village where a person can just relax after a long travel, perhaps that's the reason Willis liked this town so much. The young man looked around the small town having arrived from Alliria. Willis just finished up completing a mercenary contract in his homeland and is back on the road again going where the wind takes him. Willis entered the small village and observed its Dwarven inspired architecture and watching the children playing near the well.

Daybreak Village has been around since The Gold Road was first used and it is still standing even after the Road has fallen into disrepair. Of course since the Village lives close to the forest, that meant the people were vulnerable to Monsters that sometimes lurk outside of the forest and into the village. There were instances of people being eaten in their home by a Displacer Beast. Willis felt the temptation to check the noticeboard next to the Windmill but first he must fill his mouth frothing ale an flirt with the tavern maids in the Blind Dwarf tavern. Willis opened the wooden doors which lead to the place and saw it mostly empty. "Bartender!" Willis called out. "A cup of Ale please!"

 

[Achates]

“Thank you for your help.” A man smiled gently at the young elven girl. She had just finished doing a fetch errand for the man. A slight shrug, and she accepted the bag of coins he was offering. “It was nothing really, glad I could help.” Achates tucked away the bag of coins and wandered away from the small arms building. Along with the reward she was able to get a few rounds of bolts for her hand crossbows.

A yawn escaped her lips as she wandered past one of the message boards. There were still several flyers from people asking for help with their quests. Ideally, she wanted to head back to the Inn and get some sleep, but her curiosity was grabbed by the board. It didn’t long for Achates to be mesmerized and drawn to the board.

A finger ran through the flyers as she continue to try and figure out what mission to take next.

Smiling One

 

[Smiling One]

Willis continued to scan the contents of the message boards. There were no jobs available for the mercenary, just monster hunting. A Goblin attack, some worm like creature called a Carrion Crawler that suffocated a woman's Dog, and a grizzly contract regarding a small child being lassoed by a Giant Cave Spider and eaten alive. These jobs were not interesting to Willis and the pay was lousy! Why the hell would he risk his life fighting these things? The risk out weighed the pay and peasants were notorious for being consistent in pay.

"Me kids are starving!" They would say after you risk life and limb to fend off bandits or escort their crops in a dark forest to the market. These selfish, inconsiderate assholes can take care of their own problems and not rely on a Sellsword or whoever is crazy and stupid enough to take on an oversized beast.

"Ah shit," Willis said turning on his heel and heading for the tavern. "My thirst for ale has faded away." Fucking memories of being ripped off by peasants. It was the reason why Willis stuck close to mercenary bands, they usually have a good ear for the big payouts though they have no problem leaving you for dead whenever you're wounded in battle. It just meant the payout pool gets bigger.

Willis headed for the tavern before he saw a familiar person also checking out the message board: An Elf. "Achates?!" Willis said jumping back a bit. "You're here?!"

 

[Achates]

Achates’ attention was quickly drawn, she looked towards the direct of where the voice was coming from. She recognized it quickly and nodded answer his question about her being there. “Papa sent me.” Her answer was quick as she returned her attention to the message board.

Unlike Willis, she didn’t care which mission she took – she didn’t care either if she was paid by those that she helped. Being paid was nice, but her joy and her payment was helping people especially from monsters such as herself. She kept her secret from those around her, especially Willis.

Looking at the man, she continued to smile. “You finding jobs that you like Willis?” She knew her and the boy had different views when it came to jobs, but he was her dearest friend.

 

[Smiling One]

Willis chuckled when Achates said her father sent her. He never knew his father, according to his mother, he fucked her and left leaving her to beat and abuse Willis. Even though Willis tried to forget her, his mother once told or ranted drunkenly to Willis that he looked like his father: An asshole and a killer. Contrast it with Achates who was close to her father it made Willis a little envious.

Thankfully though has a father figure in Captain Davis..... or had one. The young man closed his eyes in shame. Memories of the shipwreck flooded Willis' head as remembered Captain Davis struggling to hold on to the steering wheel barking out orders to the crew. A lightning bolt pierced the large sail setting it on fire and putting the ship out of control. "Abandon ship!" One of the crewman said. Willis didn't know what to do he was stuck near the railing clinging on to dear life feeling scared and useless.

"Get up boy!" Willis heard Captain Davis said. "Don't let fear cripple ya!"

The boy snapped back to reality as he faced his friend. It's been only 4 months since he was shipwrecked yet he hasn't got over it yet. He doubt he'll ever will. "Yeah," he responded forcing a smile. "But there isn't shit for me to do. There's too many fucking monsters to hunt."

He then got closer to Achates. "So what about you Achates?" He asked. "It's been over a year since we last saw each other, how's life?"