[MOC] Avendor. Memories. First Quest.

[MaximB]

(Afoland Castle Game. Meronia)
 

Spoiler

Gerard stood in front of the adventurers’ guild notice board, squinting as if trying to burn through the parchment with his gaze. Among dozens of quests — from gathering poisonous herbs to guarding merchant caravans — his attention was caught by an old, tattered sheet.

“Rats,” he muttered, curling his lip slightly.
The memory hit him fast, like the smell of fried onions outside a tavern door.

…

It was the first time he’d stepped into the guild. The air was thick with the usual blend of cheap wine, rancid oil, and parchment. Groups of adventurers chattered at nearby tables — one boasted about a fresh scar, another begged for coin to pay a healer. When the door creaked shut behind Gerard, half a dozen eyes turned toward him — glanced, then moved on. Just another rookie.

He approached the nearest clerk. A young man with neatly combed hair and ink-stained fingers looked up from some ledger.

“Good day. Can I help you?”

“Signing up,” Gerard said curtly.

“Of course. Fill this out — name, age, combat experience.”

He filled out the form and waited as the clerk stamped it.

“Great. Registration complete. Welcome to the Adventurers’ Guild, um... Gerard. You’re now eligible for entry-level assignments.”

“Finally,” Gerard exhaled. “So, what do we have? Goblins? Maybe a wolf or boar pack? Orcs, even?”

“Ah…” The clerk hesitated, then offered a polite smile. “I’m afraid those are for more experienced adventurers. Beginners usually get something... simpler.”

“Simpler?”

“Herb gathering, parcel deliveries, roof repairs... Oh! There’s an extermination request!”

Gerard perked up.
“Yes?”

“…Rats. In the basement of The Drunken Hedgehog tavern.”

A pause.

“…Rats?” Gerard repeated, as if he’d misheard.

“Rats,” the clerk confirmed with a nod. “Though rumor has it one of them is the size of a dog. Might be just a rumor. Might not.”

Gerard closed his eyes and took a long breath.
“…Alright. I’ll start with them.”

…

And so his journey as an adventurer began. Somewhere beneath the creaking floorboards of a tavern, in the musty gloom, among broken barrels and rotting straw…

Edited 3 hours ago by MaximB