A gentle breeze flows through the valley as the morning sun crests the peaks of surrounding mountains as the town of Eastmont stirs to life. The small farming community nestled in a valley on the outskirts of the Green Peaks in the Kingdom of Parvin. Blanketing the town is a low mist that flows between the wooden buildings and around the walled stone structure on the outskirts. All the while movement begins to be seen climbing down the mountain passes that flank and lead into bunkers that flank pass through the mountains and head straight into town.
Walking from the stone building through the mist heading towards the woods a group of three individuals can be seen. On the right is a tall young woman with short brown hair in a braid going down to her shoulders and fair skin. She wears a long sleeved leather jerkin and trousers, with a pair of boots. Over her hands are gloves while she carries a boar spear in her left hand. In the center is an older gentleman with greying hair with a tanned complexion, wearing a dark green robe held in front of him in both hands is a simple walking stick. And finally the last member of the group standing to the left of the old man, is a young adult man with Black hair and pale skin tone. He wears a worn tunic and trousers and resting over his right shoulder is a flanged mace.
As we near the forest I looked over Cleric Jacob towards Lauren who is twirling her spear as her eyes dart across the treeline. “So you planning on joining another hunt before the festival in two days Lauren?” Breaking my silence to ask
Lauren spins on her heel and begins to walk backwards while looking at us. “If Reggie can’t find another task that will take all darn day then yes, it’s boring to be cooped up in the temple all day right Tom.” she sighs out.
A light chuckle is heard for a moment as Cleric Jacob reveals a small smile, “Be as it may be young Lauren I’m sure Bishop Reginald appreciates you accompanying Thomas and I as we ensure the temple's firewood supply is filled for the week. Why I may even suggest that our two elder Wards,” Giving a slight glance at the two of us, “Get a nice few days off of chores after they get their Basic tier classes for such good work.”
Lauren misses a step and stumbles for a moment. In a flurry of flailing limbs she regains her balance and rushes ahead into the mist towards the woods exclaiming, “Well lets pick up the pace I want to make sure we have some pork so Thomas can make his soup for us in celebration.”
“Your only friends with me for my cooking aren’t you.” I call ahead with a bland tone, we hear a yell of “damn right”, as a small smile forms on my face and I look over at Jacob who just nods and waves ahead.
I lengthen my stride and begin to jog in the direction Lauren went. Passing by one of the warding pillars on the side of the trail. These arcane pylons will send out a warning if anything hostile makes its way towards the path or the town. The pillar is part of a network covering almost the entire valley. Thankfully they only make noise in case of immediate danger, otherwise it just lights up a map in the town hall with a light based on location. Considering we checked said map before heading out the only thing we have to fear right now besides our own feet is a single boar. That I fully believe Lauren will be hunting it before the end of the day.
While jogging towards the small lumber camp in the woods I contemplate the upcoming festival and my upcoming class bestowment. Full access to magic is something I have been excited about for a long time from before I lived in Eastmont. I vaguely remember seeing my late mother use a few small healing spells to patch up others in a caravan during my early youth. Now that I’m Eighteen at this harvest festival I’ll begin my own journey down one of the three magic paths, and not for the first time wonder which path it will be.
When people gain a class it's from one of three methods. The First is drawing power from a shard of growing crystal of the Arcane Obelisk, The second is letting energy radiating off an Amulet infused by the magic of the Divine Plaque wash over oneself. Those two methods are known as a bestowment. The Final method is experiencing a revelation overnight in one's Dreams strengthening their Spirit. The only issue is one doesn't choose what path to take. People can experience a revelation anytime after the age of eighteen but a bestowment is done at a harvest festival traditionally. A bestowment can be earlier but due to the arcane crystal and divine amulet being kept in the temple vault it’s not likely.
I know Lauren is excited to begin her path and advance alongside our friends Isabel, and Torex. Isabel is a Garuda that is our age and experienced a revelation last month, she lives with her flock near the mountain peaks around the valley. Torex is a Orc a year older than us who spent the last year since his bestowment learning from his parents the basics of Arcane magic. While the Two of us have not had our bestowment or a revelation yet. Lauren had turned eighteen almost four months ago, while I reached age eighteen around seven months ago myself. Considering the two of us have lived in a Temple dedicated to the Four gods of the Plorvin faith for over a decade it's almost expected to get a Divine magic class.
“To think is just a few days I can finally do more” I mumble while flexing my hand and creating a small green flame in my palm. I study the flame for a few moments at ease despite the odd color that I'm told is a product of my elemental affinity being strong by the bishop. Then again I remember when Mayor Reinfield casts his fire starting spell and the amber flame he conjured thanks to his earth affinity.
Snuffing the Flame out as I enter the covering of the tree canopy following the path humming a small hymn taught by the Temple do I make my way forward. Despite running ahead it is easy to see Lauren as she never truly leaves line of sight of myself or Jacob for more than a moment. The wards are useful but it is better to be safe than sorry, and with the small increase in Kobolds leaving their warrens into the valley it is the right move. Usually Lauren and Myself could gather wood from the camp but Jacob is a bit of extra security, and the fact that having a Nature Cleric in a wooded area is a godsend for pushing one of the camp's wheelbarrows through underbrush.
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
After spending the next hour traveling along the path the lumber camp comes into view. Half the twenty man crew is positioning a recently felled tree over the saw pit to be split into logs, but six of them are setting the larger branches stripped from the tree onto a trio of wheelbarrows. On the far side of the camp a group of four are tending to the pair of horses that hauled the logs to camp. Besides the Workers however is a group of nine other men in the camp. They are wearing uniform armor and wielding a variety of weapons, currently they are looking over a map on the ground with one brown hair and a tamed beard wearing more armor and resting his hand on a mace pointing out a few locations.
Once Jacob enters the clearing and notices them he calls out, “Hello there Edgar doing a sweep of the area before the festival begins.” speaking to the leader of the troop.
Looking up Edgar nods to his men and makes his way to us, “Jacob, Thomas, Lauren good to see the three of you. Also you’ve had the right of it Jacob the Kobolds have been appearing more frequently, and they are more organized, probably a new tribe led by a chieftain or shaman settling into the southern caverns.” His stern voice states before turning to look south approximately where the entrance to those caves are.
Jacob gives a glance in the direction before cupping his chin and closing his eyes for a moment. “Forgive me if this is unwarranted but would appreciate a bit of aid for the day? If so, I would be willing to assist the town's guard.” Inquires Jacob as he opens his deep green eyes.
Bouncing on her heels Lauren pipes in “Yea we could join in some scouting for a day it wou-” before getting cut off by myself
“Lauren, really against Kobolds who more than likely have a class already. Jacob most likely planned to have us take two barrows of wood back while he joins Edgar.” I state, “I know you want to test yourself but remember kobolds get a class at five we don’t have one yet. We are fine against most beasts without magic, but against those who strengthen themself with magic it's not a good idea.”
Jacob adds in, “I have to agree with Thomas’ assessment, even if it’s a bit blunt, besides someone needs to inform Bishop Reginald of what I shall be doing and do not worry Lauren, I already gave my recommendation for your days free of chores anyway.”
Lauren, who slumped over more and more with each word, shoots up and gives a beaming smile towards Cleric Jacob and Edgar, with a dirty look towards myself before stating, “Fine, however if the Kobolds are moving deeper I won't be able to hunt for the boar later.”
Edgar lets out a laugh, before pulling out a silver coin handing it towards her and tells her, “Here if you want pork or boar so bad go buy some on me, If next time you hunt a goat I get the lion's share.”
“Deal, come on Tom lets get this over with.” and she marches over towards the wheel barrow.
I look down at the ground before side eyeing Jacob and states, “Just wait she hasn’t realized that without you to use your magic to manipulate the path that the wheelbarrows are going to get stuck several times along the way.” and walking towards her. While Edgar lets out a deep laugh and Jacob stifles his own laughter.
After a good half hour of finishing loading the wheelbarrows and waving off Jacob and Edgar, Lauren and I begin the trek back to town with our load of firewood. Along the way we talk about what to buy to go along with the soup she wants me to make and what other tasks we have scheduled for the day. At least in between the complaints about the path after her wheelbarrow tips over and we need to refill it with the displaced wood. It takes around two hours to get back to town by then it’s getting close to noon with only deer and squirrels being the animals in the area.
Before long we reach the entrance to the temple, the open metal gates attached to the dark grey stone walls with a paved path heading to the main entry of the temple proper. Veering off to the left we head around the side inside the storage hall adjacent to the small pond inside the walls.
“That took forever, why couldn’t Jacob come along with us and head back out.” complaining for a moment after putting the firewood into stacks. Before she looks at me and speaks instantly, “Don’t Tom, just don’t.”
Slowly I close my mouth, before deciding to move to another topic, “Why don’t you go and get us a seat in the cafeteria, and a tray of food. I’ll go find the Bishop and let him know where Cleric Jacob went.” I try to appease her with the idea of a meal.
She just nods her head absently and walks off thankfully in the direction of the cafeteria. I turn the opposite direction and make my way to the Mort house on the opposite end of the complex, considering four days ago a few bandits were captured trying to sneak into the valley and got into a fight with the guard. The casualties from the conflict should be given their parting blessings today. Walking up to the structure attached to the wall and partially depressed into the ground I give a soft smile
Entering the building I breathe in a scent that's a mixture of pine, smoke and dirt from the incense placed in several inlets on the walls. A torch placed equally around the interior of the circular building and in the center is a large round table with several coffins atop it and three figures, two looking over the corpses, the third sweeping the floor. To the left is Bishop Reginald, a short lithe man with auburn hair and a clean shave. On the right stands Warden Elrich, a man with white hair and pale skin, he is the local undertaker and groundskeeper. He is also my mentor as the only other member of the local temple with a primary death affinity.
“I'm back from picking up the firewood from the logging camp Bishop Reginald, Teacher Elrich. Also Cleric Jacob wanted me to inform you he is joining Edgar and his patrol for the day due to increase in the Kobolds sightings before the festival.” I state as I place my mace on the storage rack on the wall and turn around staring right into a skeletal face of the third figure. “Ah hello Nicol apologies did I track dirt in.” I state looking Nicol the former bandit leader and currently the skeleton familiar of Elrich right in glowing green eye sockets.
