Phealafarian Frontiers: 02: The First Quest
After settling into their new tent and establishing a routine in Tent Town, Thomas spent his days getting to know the area, interacting with other residents, and—more often than not—annoying the garrison by persistently inquiring if Mary Cherry… Kira was on duty. Life in Tent Town was filled with anticipation, each day bringing new opportunities, fresh gossip, and stories from beyond the city walls.
One evening, as the group sat around the fire, Tobias suggested they share what had brought them all to this point. Thomas, still grappling with the reality of his situation, recounted the events of Isenvale, the Dracolich attack, and the portal that had flung him into this strange new time. The others followed suit, each telling their own tale—though whether they spoke the full truth or embellished their pasts, only they truly knew.
However, when it came to Tobias’ turn, his demeanor shifted so abruptly it was almost comical. His usual confidence evaporated, his shoulders tensed, and instead of sharing his past, he let out an awkward cough, muttered something about it being “not important,” and then, to everyone’s bewilderment, immediately ducked into his bedroll and pulled it over his head.
The group exchanged glances, unsure whether to pry or let the bizarre moment pass. Tobias, who had suggested the discussion in the first place, was now actively hiding from it. The mood, which had been contemplative moments ago, turned to sheer confusion. Erisa opened her mouth as if to say something, but then closed it, shaking her head.
The fire crackled between them, the unanswered question lingering in the air like smoke, as the conversation hesitantly moved on.
One evening, as the party gathered in their tent, a guard approached, the soft clink of his armor punctuating the quiet of the night. As he stepped closer, Tösk, in an act of sheer absurdity, flung himself onto the ground, spreading out as if attempting to blend in with the floor. The towering luxodon, now a questionable rug, remained motionless.
The guard, accustomed to adventurer antics but clearly having reached his limit for the day, simply sighed and carried on. “Good evening. Is this the tent of Masters Fulner, Valtorin, Ettinkue, Wilderman, Guardian, and Mistress Brightglade?” He waited for confirmation before continuing, barely sparing a glance at the ‘rug’ beneath his feet. “I have a summons for you.”
He held out a parchment, its seal marked with the emblem of New Albion. “You’ve been selected by a guild representative for a task. You’re to report to the South Garrison immediately.”
As he waited for any questions, his eyes drifted back to Tösk’s unmoving form. “Nice rug,” he remarked dryly.
Eldrin, ever the opportunist, straightened up with a knowing smile. “Would you like to buy it?”
The guard actually considered it for a moment, rubbing his chin. “Tempting… but if I bring home more decor without asking my wife first, I’ll be sleeping outside.”
With that, he gave them a polite nod and took his leave, leaving the party to prepare for whatever awaited them.
Upon arrival at the South Garrison, the party found it much as they had left it—bustling with activity as guards moved with purpose and officials poured over documents. They were quickly directed to a private meeting room where a high elf awaited their arrival.
She was striking, with long silver hair cascading down her back and eyes that held centuries of wisdom. Her robes bore intricate patterns, marking her as someone of high status, and she carried herself with an air of quiet authority.
She greeted them with a warm smile. “Welcome,” she said, her voice smooth and melodic. “I am Elowen Starleaf, a member of the city council. Thank you for coming on such short notice.”
Gesturing for them to sit, she continued, “First, let me express my gratitude for your assistance with my cousin Vanryn. He’s always been a bit of a free spirit, and, well… I must admit, it’s rather embarrassing that a group of rats was enough to send him up a tree.” She sighed with mild exasperation, though her fondness for him was evident. “Still, I’m very glad you were there to help. He spoke very highly of you.”
Her expression turned more formal as she shifted to the task at hand. “The council has a task that we’ve pulled from the lottery pool for you. It’s not particularly grand, but it’s an opportunity to test your skills and see if you’re ready for more responsibility.”
She handed them a small map marked with a location to the north. “There’s a village named Silverdale that’s been having some trouble with wolves. They’ve become more aggressive lately, likely due to the scarcity of food as winter approaches. We’d like you to travel there and deal with the problem.”
Her tone was calm, practical, but not dismissive. This wasn’t a grand mission, but it was still important. “It’s a chance for you to prove yourselves,” she continued, “and if you handle it well, it will certainly help your standing with the guilds.”
Elowen’s gaze swept over the group, her expression thoughtful. “Before you go, tell me—do any of you have formal combat training?”
There was a brief pause before Tobias raised his hand. The others remained still.
Elowen nodded, taking note of the lone response. “In that case, I strongly suggest considering non-combative solutions to this problem. Wolves are dangerous, yes, but there may be ways to resolve this without unnecessary violence.”
She paused, allowing the party time for questions, ensuring they fully understood the assignment before they set off on their next adventure.
