Goodbye and Good Riddance

After a long night, comes a calm morning. The party sips tea together in Chief Verlyn’s manor. Though unintentional, Gambit rudely falls asleep at the table while the chief is in the kitchen directing his maids on how to prepare the heroes’ breakfast.

Free Stuff gives Narco a nudge. “Aren’t you supposed to be the one falling asleep in chairs.”

Everyone else is too tired to give any energy to the conversation. “Some of us didn’t go to sleep right away while our friend was in critical condition.” Narco grumbles.

“Come on, I knew he was going to pull through. He wouldn’t be Gambit if he didn’t take calculated risks. Plus he’s got luck on his side. He’s the luckiest guy I know, that’s why he always picks classes that reward probability and critical strikes.”

A bell is heard coming from the kitchen. Chief Verlyn’s maids have finished getting breakfast prepared, and it is ready to be served. The food comes out in waves, and while the meals are modest, the quantity is quite bountiful. The wonderful smell of homebaked pastries grabs the whole party's attention.

After the meal is over, Chief Verlyn dabs his mouth with a napkin before he speaks. “I hope you all have been enjoying your stay at Corsilvis. I know that two of you may not have received the heroes welcome you so deserved. I would like to apologize to Gambit and… Free Stuff? Is that correct?” Free Stuff nods as he eats more of the food. “I would like to apologize to you both for the way some of the villagers have acted around you. Gambit, for the way that your affiliation with the heroes party went unrecognized for so long, as well as how far you were willing to go to save my town, I would like you to have this.” Verlyn hands Gambit a dagger made of a white metal. “It is a holy dagger that’s been passed down from the chiefs of this village for a long time. When the world is in chaos, it is often handed to a party of heroes. Then when the heroes no longer need it, it always miraculously finds its way back to this village.”

Gambit gives a humble nod, though one could easily mistake it as him almost nodding off.

Free Stuff seems bubbly, eager to receive his gift. Chief Verlyn continues, “As for you Free Stuff, I would like to apologize for the way the villagers have mistreated you. The foul nicknames they’ve called you, how many of the shops ignored you and pretended to be closed when you passed by, and how some even spit in your drinks. I apologize on their behalf.” Free Stuff is both shocked he didn’t realize any of this, and horrified at the realization. “I know well-mannered orcs must face such discrimination everywhere they go, but I did hope my people would have acted in a more dignified manner. As an apology, I had my family’s blacksmith take some of the dragon parts you gave up on collecting and rush to create this.” As Chief Verlyn hands the fleshy club to Free Stuff, he explains. “This is a club made of dragon parts. It should be much more durable than the wooden beams you’re used to. While it lacks the history and enchantments as the holy blade, I hope its durability makes your gift feel equal.”

Free Stuff tears up at the beauty of it. He is no longer thinking about the villagers. All he can do is worship the club given to him, already polishing and stroking it with insurmountable joy. “I can’t wait to bash an enemy’s head in with this.”

Chief Verlyn lets out a hearty laugh. After seeing how well received the heroes' gifts were, he decides to call another round of tea. As everyone sips their tea, Chief Verlyn breaks the silence. “So, where might our heroes be off to next?”

“Well, Mira told us about a dungeon we should visit.” Narco looks at her as he says it. Then he pauses. “Though, I’ll be honest. We don’t have too much time to spare. We might head to the next city or town on our agenda after that. If that’s ok with you, Mira. I know you’ve been living here for a while.”

Mira seems saddened by the suddenness and reality of the situation. Still she had a gleam of excitement in her eyes. “It’s ok Narco. This is what I signed up for when I agreed to join the party. Though I will want to say goodbye to my friends before we leave.”

“Of course.”

Chief Verlyn leans back against his chair. “Well, it’s unfortunate, but it can’t be helped. I was grateful to host you all. I wish you safe travels on your journey, and there will always be hospitality for you in Corsilvis.”

The party prepares themselves for the journey ahead. They upgrade their starting equipment, grab food and rations for the road, help out with rebuilding some of the town, and finally say their goodbyes.

Gambit goes off on his own to the tavern where he first met some of the retired adventurers. Instead of boasting their own stories, they celebrate their new memory of a crazed man teleporting onto the spine of a dragon and shooting it point blank in the back of the head. They regret not sticking up for him sooner after the Jupiter incident, because they always knew he has the makings of a hero.

Free Stuff walks about the town and realizes just how unfriendly everyone is to him. Their fearful eyes, hateful eyes, the sickening way they turn painfully sweet as he gets too close; he knows it shouldn’t bother him since he isn’t a monster, but it does. He walks to the edge of town through the district the dragon burned, and rests at the east gate. He leans against a post, when he sees the Devrum fanatic. “I could squash him like a bug.” He mutters to himself. “I remember the Devrum fanatics being hateful. They literally use the God of diversity and cultures to assert whatever race they are as the greatest. And I remember some dialogue trees in regards to being an orc in human spaces, but it just feels so… uncomfortable.” Free Stuff eventually sits on the bench and meticulously recounts his time in Corsilvis.

Mira visits the orphanage to say goodbye to her friends. While she never got close to many of the villagers, she did befriend plenty at the orphanage. The children are her favorite part of this village, as they were the warmth she needed to see in the world when everything felt cold. She spends the day playing with every single one of them, talking about their futures like they're destined to become great heroes one day. She promises to return after she makes all the evils go away.

GG visits the magic shop she went to when she was first looking for answers. She window shops again, like she’s been doing every time she gets some free time. She fauns over a scarlet grimoire radiating wild magics. She eyes it intently, as she does every time. She can feel the destructive power radiating from it, as if an earth worm’s first experience with the sun. If it weren’t for the extortionist price and her good nature, she would have acquired it already. The old lady running the shop recognizes GG. She is consistently admiring the same product every time she comes. She is one of the heroes of the village. However most importantly to this old woman, there is ambition and appreciation for the arcane in her soul. For these reasons, the old woman unlocks the display case and hands it to GG. It is out of respect for a fellow mage. In the same respect, GG gives the woman what she can to make up for the loss.

At the site of the ruined chapel of Durlon, Narco kneels. “Father Peter, the Gods of creation blessed the world. Solyra blessed the world with sunshine and warmth. Durlon blessed the world with strength and will. Jesteph blessed the world with humor and laughter. Each of the sixteen Gods imparted the world with a gift to make life easier, because they love all creation.” Narco stands and takes his swords while still in its hilt, and in the ashes he begins to draw. “I thank you for the amulet Father Peter. Without it, I would not have been able to save Corsilvis. I don’t know if you knew it at the time, or if you just thought I’d put it to good use, but regardless I thank you.” He finishes drawing the symbol of Durlon where the chapel once stood. “And I promise you Peter, that I will reveal the frauds for what they are. I will take away the artifacts of the celestials, the names of heroes they hide behind, and I will set things right.” As a sign of respect, Narco leaves a gold coin at the site.

The party finishes their goodbyes, greeted with a sea of waving hands as they leave. Free Stuff is hyperaware of some of the nasty looks in the crowd, especially the mocking faces of the children as he leaves. The party moves on to their next adventure, a dryad dungeon in the west recommended by Mira. They rest for the night, and make it by noon the next day.

It has been about four days since they’ve entered the game. Fear is creeping into their minds, as their bodies become more comfortable and familiar with each passing day. They stand before the dungeon entrance with unsteady hearts. They feel their progress only symbolizes the beginning of their journey, and just how much left there is to overcome.