Shmurbs

You’ve just arrived in a swampy, dim town. As you look around, your gaze is met with shacks and cabins. It smells of rotted wood and wet moss. You duck and step into a tattered tent, illuminated by a series of candles suspended in the air. At the back of the tent, an old hag raises her head, “What brings you to this dingy town? she begins, then pauses to study your face—”Ah, it’s you. I’ve been expecting you. Sit,” she gestures at a cushion, “Tell me your story.”

((How do you respond?))

Resh moves toward the cushion still unsure if to sit or not "I do not come here willingly Hag," He looks down in defeat, "But i need your help now more than ever, " finally sitting down, drained of any energy and will power he has, "I come from the gladiator pits, I was a fighter there for many years, stuck there to fight after not being able to repay a debt i was given for a life i once had." He tightens his hands into fists before calming down, " I made a deal with a man they call the river king, He gave me money, wealth and power in a far distant land but when i couldn't repay him he took it all away leaving me at the pits where i was to stay. I grew in the ranks of the pits, fighting with everything i had...I was ruthless, blood thirsty, thinking that if i did this then maybe i could get my old life back. That was until I fought Lavner," Resh tries to hold back tears but can't. The faint patter of tear drops hitting his pant leg's, "He was only 8, But at the time all i saw was an obstacle i had to get past. Without hesitation i relieved his head from his shoulders, the crowds cheered my name, but for the first time i didn't feel like the winner of that fight. So that night i convinced the other fighters to stage a revolt and in the chaos i escaped, only to be caught by the river king again, he was waiting for me, like he knew i would be here. Instead of turning me in though, he hired me, offering me the gold i once had in return for being his blade. My greed blinded me again, and i returned to the slaughter i had just wanted to be rid of. But this wasn't the fights that led to cheer and applause where you win through wit and strength, they were fights that led to screams and cries from mothers and fathers holding their children, or husbands mourning their wives, Kids morning their mom or dad, They had a debt to pay and couldn't so this is their punishment, is what the river king told me. But nobody deserved this type of punishment. So i ran for miles, until i stumbled upon your tent. And now i beg you, please.. take me away from here, to a place where i can have a fresh start. where i can use these hand's for good for once instead of pain." Resh had fallen to the floor, begging the hag on his hands and knees

"If a fresh start if what you wish, a fresh start is what you get" replied the hag.