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?)) Example:
As I sit I deposit my bag as well as my sword next to my chair. I take a deep sigh and say.
"My story eh? Hell if I remember it all myself. Let's see... I was born in a secluded part of the forest, born to my mother Ramiel Ruden and father Sozelada Ruden. I lived a peaceful childhood, but maybe too peaceful. Y'see, it was a nice little village, nice folks all around, lovely people really. But my heart always desired more. So, at 17, I took my backpack, a few books, some ink, a feather, and began my journey. I didn't do much for the first years, exploring and visiting local towns, making a living helping the folks run their errands, it was already better than home, let me tell you that much."
I stop for a bit and take a swig from my liquor-filled bottle.
"That was routine, until eventually I ran into some other adventurers. We befriended each other and formed a group, my first and only one to date. We were doing pretty boring stuff really, doing quests, some bounties at time, but nothing ever really serious. Until we decided to try something... perhaps too big."
I stop for a moment, looking down as to avoid eye contact.
"We found a bounty for some dragon gold, "easy", we thought. Call it cockiness, stupidity, or bravery, I honestly don't know. But we ran with it anyway. We found a nest, wasn't too hard, you just have to listen to the stories the townspeople tell you and you'll eventually find a lead. Go in, take some of the gold discretely, and go back, should have been easy right? Wrong. As it turns out, dragons are really stingy with their belonging. Once the beast awoken, it was over before it even started. I froze in terror as I watched my friends die. I somehow made it out. Don't have to mention that I've never witnessed a dragon ever again from that day. It's been around 3 years now since then, I've never been part of a group again."
I look up from the table.
"But that's the past ain't it? Now I'm not a teen anymore, I can handle myself. I went back to my village for a bit, took a break so I could learn the magic of my people better. I also started to train, learning how to wield a sword as opposed to pretending I did like back then. I took a vow with myself. Sure I couldn't protect my friends back then, but from now on I will defend the people. I won't let anyone die on my watch ever again. I've trained for 3 years, and I'm finally ready to take on the life of adventuring again. That's why I'm here."
I grab my my belongings and stand up, stretching as I do so. "Oh, I just, uh…" you stutter, tensing up. You eye the crone, then back outside the tent. For a moment, the air thickens with anticipation, until…
