Your character has just arrived in a swampy, dim town. As they look around, their gaze is met with shacks and cabins. It smells of rotted wood and wet moss. They 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?))
"Good evening," I say stoically, my breath forming steam due to the frigid, humid air. "Morrigan, or Willow as you may of heard." I walk towards the cushion, feeling every step in my toes. I sit down across from her. "Your town, it didn't used to be like this, did it?". I look up from the ground, noticing the details on the old woman's face - worn with scars from a different time, from battles lost. She squints her eyes, reading my expressions.
"You have something that is not yours." she shoots coldly.
"I have come to return it." My attitude equally as cold, trying to stay understanding of her stress. This item had been taken from her before, and she probably assumes I am trying to make a deal for it back. The people of this town don't have much left - I wouldn't ask for anything. I continue with my explanation, softening my voice. "You can sense it, right? The magic?" the old lady continued to stare, not responding. I looked back down gathering myself before continuing. "Weeks ago I heard a story, of a crew that had raided this town years ago after hearing of a certain magic that brought prosperity to those who held it. That while they pillaged and destroyed this town, they discovered the alchemist behind it's recent success." The hag continued to eye me, but I could see the growing anticipation and curiosity in her eyes, wondering what would come at the end of my story. "They beat her and threatened her until she agreed to make a talisman that would bring their crew equal success." The lady's eyes started to tear, and she looked down at her feet. My gaze softened. "Ever since they took that token, the town fell apart missing the magic that held it together. That lady was you, wasn't it?"
She looked up at me with a weakened smile. "Yes, it was. I've been sensing the token for days now".
I put my hand into my satchel, and pulled out a wooden snake. Looking at it in my palm, I sighed and held it out to the lady. Her eyes lit up as she slowly took it from my hand. "I know what its like for my home to be destroyed, to be abused. I lost everything. Every since then, I didn't want anyone else to experience the same thing. This belongs to you". A tear rolled down her face as she held the talisman, gazing at it in disbelief.
"I thought we were doomed. How did you get this back?".
I thought about ambush, felt the gash on my arm that was still healing, the men that I had killed - but smiled. "It does not matter, the token is back to where it belongs".
Recommended Comments