Mysterious Person at the Tavern
The day started out normal, I suppose. I walked from shop to shop in Town asking each proprietor if they had any assignments with which I could help. Some said "Aye!", others said I had "an air". What does that mean exactly? Whatever the case may be, I had earned a bit of coin and decided to pass by the Tavern before heading to my humble abode. The Tavern was loud again with drunk citizens trying out the challenges as they were being called out. Even Stefan looked like he was a bit panicked as he was quickly pouring from the taps as men reached over the bar. Maybe I should help him, I thought. No sooner had I taken a couple of steps, a figure came close to me and took my arm. I was escorted to a table for two off of the main room in a corner where it was a little quieter. For a moment I thought my Mother had found me and we were going to make up for lost time by having an ale! Such wasn't the case, though. My ears hadn't focused on a voice yet, but my eyes were taking in the face. This was a waif-like woman (Just like my Mother) with light eyes (Just like my Mother) and slight elven feature (Just like my Mother). When my ears found her voice amid the din of the Tavern, I could hear her lyrical voice (Just like my Mother's). She introduced herself as my Aunt Gwynneth. Wait.... .did she say "Aunt?" She saw the puzzled look on my face and smiled thinly a moment. She hailed over one of the wenches, Penelope, I think her name is, asked for two steins of ale then turned back to me and told me that I looked pale like a wraith had just captured my soul. I stared at her for a bit taking in her undeniable Easterner tanned skin and long chestnut brown hair flowing from under the hood of her travel cloak. Penelope brought the steins around. Drink up, Gwynneth said. You look like you could use it. Rest assured, you will by the time I finish talking, she told me. I took a tentative sip of the ale and looked back at this woman who is calling herself my "Aunt". Why would my Mother hide this knowledge all of my life?, I asked Gwynneth. She smiled a thin smile and took both my hands in hers. Her hands showed of manual labor but there was no dirt or grime under her nails, so whatever she did to earn her keep, it didn't entail being outside like a gardener or a farmer. She gave my hands a gentle squeeze then lay them back on the table. I could still feel her warmth after she let go. Gwynneth took a healthy gulp of her beer. I didn't think I would find you, Silas!, she said. Admittedly, hearing my birth name again struck a strange chord in my heart. Your Mother and I kept in touch over the years through the whispering of the trees. I paused to consider that statement. Was my Mother a Druid and I didn't know it? No.... Too outlandish to think. I took a longer more healthy swig, looking at this woman who is calling herself my "Aunt" over the rim of the stein. Did you know my Mother had three kids?, I asked, trying to gauge of this woman might be trying to put on an elaborate hoax. But to what end? Ah, yes, she said. You are the eldest of three, Silas, and there are two younger than you. Twins. Paudraig and Patrice, I believe. I nodded. How are they?, she asked. I told her that after Mother died, I had settled the affairs of the house and made the Twins, who were only eleven, go seek out the company of the Woodland elves. He knew they would be well cared for by the elves. They had such a soft heart for children. After I saw the twins off, I packed what few things I had that were actually mine and headed here to Town. I changed my name to Witchdoktor so as not to have too many questions asked of me by the Chancellor. It turns out my trepidation was unfounded. Anyway, I looked at the startling likeness of my Mother staring back at me from this woman. Are you sure you're ok?, she asked. No, but I'll recover quickly, I said. Gwynneth said she had a trinket to give me. An heirloom from my Mother's childhood that was to be given to me upon her death. Gwynneth reached into her cloak and pulled out a little cloth satchel, red with gold stitching. She turned the little bag over and out tumbled a small pin. It was a silver pin with gem chips encrusting part of the design. This brooch is imbued with a prtoection against evil. Should you encounter something of that nature, the brooch will glow slightly. I'm glad I foud you. With this Town being so big, I envisioned myself wandering aimlessly for days. This was my Mother's?, I asked. Yes, Gwynneth said. When her and my Mother were young girls, they had wandered into the deep parts of the Easterner Forest and were visited upon by a Hierophant. Gwynneth said they were frightened and attempted to run but the old druid held them there for a bit. After he imparted on them some life knowledge, he gave this little trinket to my Mother for she exhibited a oneness with nature. Now it is yours, my Aunt said. I stared at the brooch. This was my Mother's! I touched it carefully making sure it wouldn't crumble or disappear. Go ahead, my Aunt said, it's now yours!.
I have defeated a Bat Swarm. Let all know that it be by the mighty hands of Witchdoktor the Mystic.
Let it be known that I, Witchdoktor, have attained Level 2 and as such have grown in both ability and endurance.
I, Witchdoktor the Mystic, after much toil and perseverance have finally been able to obtain a stone abode to call my own.
While a Bully may be difficult for some a Bully is no match for me.
Message to Advisor
My days have been long since I last wrote you, my friend! I do hope that this letter find you in good health. Since we last spoke, I had taken up an Apprenticeship with the Physician, but I lacked focus and didn't do so well. In the aftermath of that hellstorm, I quietly visited Lady Fluke and trained myself a little more. I'm happy to say there are a couple of more people in town I can now visit, the Mystic Counsel as well as the Body Counsel. I do feel more like a man now instead of such a boisterous and hardened lad. My interests have varied since you've seen me. I know a lot of things now, something for all situations, right? There's mention of transport to Llafair and many of the Townsfolk that I talked to while running menial errands back and forth have asked me to now run errands for them over there! So long as it nets me a bit of gold for my trouble, I'm okay with it. The Stablemaster said that if I do purchase transport, the only thing I would have to worry about is bandits. He says that they've become bolder on the open trails between the towns. He said they wouldn't think twice about slicing you and leaving you to die then taking all your goods. I think he said that to worry me. Can it actually be that bad out there? Thankfully, I have since visited the Body Guild and feel I am in better shape for the travel. These alleged bandits have another thing coming to them if they decide to mess with MY transport!.
I, Witchdoktor, have gained enough experience that I am considered to be Level 3 among my fellow men.
Why Am I Witchdoktor?
It still pains me when someone tells me that I emanate a "bad" disposition. It might be from not having parents and having to give my siblings over to others so that they could have a better life whilst I took to a solitary life. If someone gave me an ill air then I did to same to them. I wasn't going to be pushed aside just because people saw me as a weak mongrel. I have more self-worth than that. Lady Fluke at the Palace of Parody in Town has been instrumental in grooming me to be a better man, but darkness has settled in me and I don't know that I will ever get rid of it but I do know that I can always try to be better.