The New World (D&D Story)

Chpt. 1- Strange Beginnigs

Skulking through the crowds of people, I silently made my way through the town's center. My half-elf heritage kept me alert of my surroundings, making the task way too easy. The small wooden shacks and huts I passed created a loose circle with a few streets and alleys. They sufficed as shelter but it was obvious that they were steadily degrading, much like the trees after the water crisis.

Ever since the water became toxic... or poisoned, or whatever happen to it, we've been told to not drink it; otherwise, we might shrivel and grey like the trees near the river. So, like everyone else, I've been playing the waiting game for either rain to come or for Tim to purify the water. I, for one, did not want to try my luck with simply boiling the water but a few others did. They are now deathly ill.

Often enough, grotesque and mutilated corpses, that can no longer be recognized as animal or human, float down our rivers. No one knows why but it's clear that it won't stop unless someone is sent to figure out the cause. That's why I'm here and actually, I was surprised a rogue like me was chosen to help with such a task. I was asked by our town's elected leader, Tim, to meet in his quarters to further discuss the details.

I entered his building and recognized it to be more of a house than the town hall it was said to be. This was one of the few buildings I never really cared to snoop around in, mostly because I assumed it would be boring. Oh, how right I was. A few standard paintings adorned the walls and a single, fur couch occupied a corner for anyone waiting to see Tim. I sighed. Nothing here was worth any value or time to try and steal or barter off.

I looked around the bland room and apart from this repurposed living room, I could only see Tim's office door. It was open and I was invited here so I decided to investigate. Inside, it was obviously a bedroom at one point but had been dolled up poorly to seem more professional with a desk and some filing cabinets. I entered the room, approaching Tim and the two others he was speaking to.

"Hello."

"Hello, B.D.B. Glad to see you could make it."

I nodded in agreement. I'm usually much more charismatic but I chose to be more professional for this meeting.

"Well, I was just talking to these two about the job I gave you." He gestured to the two standing before him and they turned to face me.

I recognized the first one immediately. On the left, the town's fighter and its almost only peace keeper was the highly intelligent fighter, Juniper. She and I occasionally ran into each other... well, she was usually running after me and it was whenever I attempted to 'borrow' a fellow townsman's items. Listen, it gets very boring having so little to do and almost nothing to steal in a run-down town like this. Especially, when everyone knows you and where you live so I don't really expect to get away with it.

I gave a small sneer towards her and she sighed in response.

Tim looked between us and smiled, "I see the chemistry between you two still runs strong?"

"Very." I chuckled. Now that I've thought of it, I haven't stolen anything this week. I would have to soon correct that mistake.

The woman to the right was my old drinking buddy, Nix. She was our town's prodigy inventor and supposedly 'destined for greatness.' If she could hold her ego as well as she holds her liquor I would certainly believe it, but her feisty attitude always seemed to downplay her intelligence, at least in my eyes.

She smiled towards me in acknowledgement and addressed Tim, "Well, Tim, now that we're all here could you elaborate on your request?"

Tim massaged his brow gently, glancing at each of us for a moment as if he was deciding if we were capable of handling his request.