”Not for me, but I’m sure if you check with the Healer, she will have things she needs from the forest.”
Felix nods.
"Understood. See you around, Ms. Zara."
Tipping an imaginary hat to the crystal ball, Felix says, "Goodbye, Damiano," with a smile.
He heads across to the dry goods store, next.
Zara vanishes in a thunderclap before Felix even reaches the door. He still feels like he’s being watched, however.
The dry goods store is dimly lit, or perhaps it's just the pot-bellies stove giving off more smoke than is strictly necessary. The shop smells more like a dusty library than a dry goods store. Behind the long counter sits a balding man wearing thick glasses and reading a book. He doesn't appear to have noticed Felix.
On the shelves behind him, Felix sees the usual goods important to any good housewife, or adventurer. (Any core rule book mundane equipment costing up to 50 gp can be found here, except holy water, holy symbols, alchemical stuff, or thieves' tools. Other mundane equipment may be available, if it's not too "out there".)
Hanging on the wall, Felix sees a beautiful longsword, as well as a matching shortsword. A suit of breastplate armour rests on a mannequin.
Felix spends a minute admiring the weapons and armor. He was not expecting to see them here.
"Are these for sale?" he calls out to the man behind the counter.
The man looks up from his book. "Oh, hello. I was so busy I didn't see you come in."
Turning, he follows Felix's gaze towards the weapons and armour. "Oh, you must be an adventurer. I want to be an adventurer, too. This book right here is about being an adventurer. It's called Quest for Glory: A Hero's Death. And yes, these are for sale. They are of fine workmanship, but only mundane of course. Maybe someday I'll be able to carry magical weapons and armour. I stocked them last summer when adventurer's still came to this valley, but none have come since. The swords are each 400 gold coins and the armour is 500. I also carry throwing daggers for 10 gold coins and flasks for 1 gold coin. Every adventurer can use a glass flask, after all. Comes with a cork stopper!"
"I am an adventurer!" Felix says, standing up straighter. "I keep hearing about how things have turned sour for the town, recently, so I'm hoping to help with that.
"You know, I don't have a flask, actually. I thought I was well-enough prepared, but apparently not. I'll take one flask, please.
"My name's Felix, by the way. What sort of things are you learning from that book?"
The shopkeeper hands Felix an empty glass flask with a cork stopper.
"Well, it's more a narrative account than a how-to manual. In this chapter, the hero has just rescued the princess from the bandit's fortress and they're hiding in a small room. There's kissing and stuff. Have you ever rescued a princess from a bandit fortress?"
"Nope. This is my first stint. I recently graduated from the Famous Adventurer's Correspondence School. I highly recommend it. Once I've cleaned the countryside up and mail can get through, you should look into it!"
Taking the flask and leaving a gold coin in its place, Felix leans forward on the counter.
"So, they're kissing you say? Sounds pretty interesting. how did the hero get into the bandit fortress?"
"The bandits were lazy, and they let tall trees grow up just outside the wall of their fort. The hero climbed one of the trees, bent it over with his weight, and dropped inside the wall. They never saw him coming!"
The shopkeeper realizes he's really gotten into telling the story and tries to collect himself. "My name's Kaspar. I wish you luck in all your adventures."
"Thanks, Kaspar, I appreciate it.
"You know, that story reminds me of something. I saw a few Wanted posters at the Adventurer's Guild, and I noticed one asking for the safe return of Lady Elsa von Spielburg, and another about Baronet Bernard von Spielburg. The picture of the girl on the poster showed a young girl, so I'm assuming these are the Baron's children or some other young relatives. Do you know anything about that?"
"Of course. Everybody knows about the baron's children. Elsa disappeared, it must be ten years ago now. Great winged creature flew over the castle walls and took her away. The Baronet disappeared two years ago while out hunting. It's all because of Baba Yaga's curse."
As Felix stares at him expectantly, he continues, "Oh, right, the curse. See, the baron tried to force Baba Yaga--she's some kind of nasty witch that lives out in the forest somewhere--tried to force her to leave the valley, but she didn't like that, so she cursed the baron that he'd lose everything he loved, which I guess he did. We haven't seen him in town every since the Baronet disappeared. Poor man. He used to be such a good baron, too."
"Huh. Okay. Where does Baba Yaga live? If I'm going out there, I should probably know if I'm near her house."
Kaspar squeals. ”Eek, I have no idea. I’ve never actually gone out into the forest. There are monsters out there!”
Felix gives a couple friendly knocks on the counter before pointing at Kaspar.
"Fair enough, pal.
"I'm going to head out. Let me know how that story ends!"
Felix stows his new flask and leaves the shop. His next destination is to head out of town and head the healer's hut. (He's assuming it's the hut he saw not too far from the town gates.) But if he sees anyone interesting to talk to along the way, such as the sheriff, he definitely wants to stop by and say good morning.
The sheriff is definitely on his porch along with Otto, who continues to both practice his yo-yo and fail to improve at it at the same time.
"Hi, good morning, Sheriff!
"I wanted to ask you about the alley next to the tavern entrance. Is there something different about it? Something unsafe?"
”Unsafe? Not sure what you mean. This entire town has a protection aura over it. Zara in the magic shop would know more, but it prevents excessive violence. Crusher in the tavern might be able to toss you out on your head for not paying your bill, but he wouldn’t be able to actually hurt you.”
"Huh. Okay. It just looked really creepy in there, but maybe it was just the ale.
"Have a good day!"
Felix heads out to the healer's hut.
Felix passes through the gates and out of town.
The breeze is cool, but he feels a shiver deeper than just the cold. He is on his own in a very dangerous place.
Turning north, he walks along the town wall towards a cozy cottage. The bright smell of fresh herbs mingles with the aroma of wood smoke as he nears the hut by the side of the road. A tall oak tree grows across the lane from the hut, where a small winged lizard has built itself a nest on one of the tree's thick limbs. The road continues onwards towards the castle in the distance.
Felix walks up to the cottage's door and knocks.
”Just one moment,” a voice calls from inside, moments before a bar is lifted and the door opens, revealing a plump, middle-aged woman with a warm and cheerful smile. ”An adventurer! Come in. You look healthy…you must be new.”
She smiles pleasantly at Felix, then gestures for him to come inside. The fragrances of herbs mingle with some rather unpleasant odours as he steps inside the healer's hut.
The interior of the hut is cramped but cheery. A central fire pit churns out a good deal of heat (and a pot over the fire churns out the unpleasant odours). Three small cots line one wall, presumably for tending the sick. Various herbs and dried plants hang from every possible place. A ladder leads up to a loft space (presumably the healer's personal residence, though Felix has a hard time imagining this rotund woman ever squeezing through that opening). Perched on one of the exposed rafters is another of those small flying lizards, which watches Felix carefully as he enters.
"Now what can I do for you today? I can sell you potions if you like. I also buy spell components if you are interested in gathering some for me."
"Hello! I am new! My name is Felix Riffin. I just got into town yesterday.
"Yes, finding out what sort of ingredients you need is the main reason I've come by, but it would also be a good idea for me to find out what healing services you offer, potions or otherwise. People keep telling me it's dangerous in the valley!" He says the last part as a joke, as if it's an obvious truth that people keep telling him anyway.
Felix looks up at the flying lizard perched above them. "What is that?" he asks, pointing. "I saw another one in the tree outside."
”That’s Pterrry my pet pterosaur. His girlfriend, Pteresa has a nest in the oak tree outside.”
”I can always use components from the forest. Specifically, I’ll pay 2 gold per claw of cheetaur, 2 healing potions for a troll beard, 5 gp per pound of magic mushrooms, and 1 gp for a flask of flowers from Erana’s Peace. I sell healing potions for 30 gp and power potions for 40, though if you don’t have magic you won’t need those, and undead unguents for 100 gp.”
Felix listens attentively, committing everything she's said to memory. There's no way he'll every forget any of that. Ever.
"What's Erana's Peace?
"Also, do you know what troll chin mushrooms are used for?"
”Erana’s Peace is a meadow due north of the town nestled along the north edge of the valley. It’s said to be the final resting place of the sorceress Erana and is a place of safety and protection. There are always flowers blooming, even in the heart of winter, and a magical tree that provides fruit that sates any hunger, though only for those who have no greed in their heart. I use the flowers in my healing potions: they maintain some of the magic of the place even when they’re dried.”
”Troll chin mushrooms? Troll chin toadstools more like it. Very toxic. Not sure what anyone would want to use them for, save to distill them down to make poisons.”
Felix winces and mutters "Ooooooooh..."
"Poison, eh? I guess that tracks with who asked for it. Obviously I'm not going to get those.
"Also, it was pretty rude of him not to tell me they were dangerous. Very rude, actually."
"Also, while you're on your travels, I've lost my graduation from healer's college ring. I've offered 50 gold coins and two healing potions if you're able to find it. It has sentimental value for me. I can't imagine how I lost it, I almost never take it off!"
"Huh. That weird. What does it look like? When do you last remember seeing it?"
She describes the ring (which matches what Felix saw on the reward poster in the Adventurers’ Guild Hall).
”The last time I remembers having it was to take it to off to work in my herb garden, but I’ve searched the garden thoroughly and it isn’t there. It’s possible it just dropped out of my pocket when I had gone to town or to the Pfeferdern’s farm to check on Heinrich.”
"Is Heinrich ill? Actually, I haven't heard much about the farmsteads in the area. Are there many?"
"There are a few farmsteads, though only Heinrich's soil is still fertile...another lovely side effect of Baba Yaga's curse. I assume you've heard about that by now? If not, ask Zara in town."
"He isn't ill, but last fall, when the brigands were starting to become a real problem, they attacked him as he made the journey into town with produce. They stole his food cart and beat him up so badly, even broke his leg. But then I guess their leader made them stop and ordered them to carry him here. I gave them a good piece of my mind, you can be assured of that!"
"His leg is better now, of course, but I had gone out awhile ago to check on him, so maybe I lost my ring along the road. If so, it's likely lost for good."
The healer shakes her head sadly, while her pet flying lizard squawks and flaps its way through the rafters to a new perch.
"I have heard of the curse. I've also heard of the Baron's, erm, 'role' in the curse.
"Is it worth it for me to visit the castle for more information? I haven't seen much direct involvement from the castle in the short time I've been in town, so I don't know how receptive they'll be to adventurers showing up."
"Oh, you definitely should. Some of the guards are a little abrasive, but most are good people. The baron is grieving: it's said he never leaves his castle, but a new adventurer, here to make a difference, is just what we need."
"Assuming you survive long enough to make a difference, of course."
"Of course!
"I better head that way next, then. Before I go, I'd like one of your healing potions, please. Also, I don't believe I caught your name!"
After handing over 30 gold and saying goodbye to the healer, Pterry, and Pteresa, Felix heads up the path towards the castle.
"Why, it's Amelia. Amelia Appleberry. Here you go!"
Felix buys a healing potion and heads out towards the castle. He passes through an area of farmland, all lying fallow. Farmhouses and outbuildings dot the landscape, showing obvious signs of neglect. To the west, Felix catches a glimpse of greener pastures beyond the desolation.
Soon enough, Felix stands before the main gates of Spielburg castle, it's portcullis lowered. The castle consists of an outer wall with a single keep inside. A lone, balding guard patrols the rampart above the gate. Though he can't help but to have seen Felix's approach, he continues to walk back and forth in a rather lackluster display of regimentalism.
Felix stops far enough away from the portcullis that he can still see the patrolling guard atop the wall. When the guard doesn't acknowledge him, Felix offers a healthy "Ho, there!"
He stares up at the man, shielding his eyes from the sun with a hand above his eyes.
The guard stops his back and forth and leans over the edge of the parapet.
"Ho, there, yourself! A fine day, is it not? What can I do for you?"
"A fine day, indeed!" Felix takes his hand from over his eyes to offer a short wave before replacing it to block the sun. "My name is Felix Riffin. I'm in Spielburg answering the notices for an adventurer! A few people in town have mentioned that I should check in at the castle before I head deeper into the valley!"
”An adventurer? You are most welcome! There is much for an adventurer to do in the forests of Spielberg Valley. Many monsters will have been driven down from the mountains by the snow. Normally, we, the baron’s guards, would be about driving them off, but since the baron lost his daughter and son, our force is not what it once was, and there aren’t enough of us left to secure the castle and patrol the valley, so we could really use an adventurer around here.”
"Thank you for the welcome! I've heard similar woes from the people in town.
"What sort of monsters should I watch out for? Is there any place you recommend I start?
"I encountered brigands shortly after I made my way into the valley. Can you tell me where I'm more or less likely to encounter them out in the valley?"
”Goblins have overrun the mines along the western rim of the valley, so you will find them out patrolling or hunting. Brigands tend to favour along the road and the southern edge of the valley. We do send a patrol once a day along the road to the foot of the pass and back so the road on the valley floor itself is usually safe. As for the deep woods, that’s where you find your sauruses, cheetaurs, and Saurus Rexes during the day, and mana rays and trolls at night. Rumour has it that there’s an ogre living out there somewhere, and of course Baba Yaga, but she never leaves her hut. Now if you want rumours, there’s supposedly a hermit living somewhere along the lake, and some crazy wizard in a house on Mount Zaurberg, to the northeast.”
Felix nods in understanding. "What's the rumor about the wizard? First I'd heard about that. Or the hermit, for that matter.
"And it's true what I've heard that I can turn in brigand spears for a reward? I was told I should ask after a guard named Karl for that."
”I’m Karl, and yes there’s a bounty on brigands. They all use the same spear so bringing one of them is as good as a brigand body, and much easier to carry. 5 gold coins per spear. I don’t know anything about the wizard, though the lady in the magic shop might know more. Also don’t know anything about the hermit, though I can’t imagine he exists or how he’d survive all the monsters and brigands if he does.”
”If you’re interested in a job though, I can let you in. The stable master is always looking for some young strong guy to clean out the baron’s stables.”
"Maybe if things run lean, I'll take you up on that. I came here for other sorts of work, though!"
Felix says goodbye to Karl, and then heads back to the healer's hut and then to the magic shop to see what he can find out about the wizard and/or the hermit.
Karl waves at Felix. ”I do hope you’re the one to break this curse and get that hero title, so things can go back to how they used to be. Best of luck.”
Pteresa squawks at Felix from her nest as he walks by under her branch. The sheriff nods his way as he passes through the town gate.
This time when Felix enters the magic shop, he’s quite certain the winged statue moves as he crosses the floor. Zara appears in another flash of lightning. ”So, you return to my shop. Ask if me what you will, but keep to the point.”
Freaked out by the moving statue (he must have imagined it) and the second flash of lightning, Felix foregoes a greeting or polite chit chat and gets straight to the point.
"Uh... I was told you could tell me more about the wizard who lives on Mount Zaurberg."
”Erasmus, a powerful if eccentric wizard. He enjoys games and riddles, and has a quick and fiery temper. He studies how magic interacts with mortals. He could tell you much about Baba Yaga and her curse, if you are interested in breaking it.”
"I should probably pay him a visit, then. And do you know anything about a hermit who lives on the lake?"
Zara blinks. ”I’m sorry, but I have no knowledge of any hermit.”