New quest

"Jasper!" June's cheerful voice echoed through the bustling lobby of the guild. Her presence was like a ray of sunshine in a room full of grimy, gruff adventurers. "Here for another quest?"

"We sure are! What's available today?" I replied, glancing around the room. It always struck me how fate brought together such a diverse bunch in places like these.

Esther leaned in close, her breath brushing against my ear. "If you keep staring at her, I can't promise I'll keep my hands to myself," she teased in a low whisper.

June seemed oblivious to our exchange. "We've lifted the restrictions on temporary quests, so there's a whole host of new challenges for you to choose from!" She dug through her desk, producing a small booklet filled with loose leaf papers. Each one bore the description of a different quest.

One caught my eye immediately. “Recapture the pirate, Mabelle.” The reward was a whopping 20 gold. It was clear from the bounty that this would be a difficult mission. Capturing Varis had been tough enough, and he'd been worth a fraction of this price. We simply weren't ready for that level of challenge.

Scanning the list, we found another quest a few pages later. “Clear out ooze-infested mine.” The description read: “Help the town of Silverbrook by clearing out the infestation of dangerous acetic oozes in their prized mine. These gelatinous creatures possess corrosive and acidic abilities that threaten both life and infrastructure. Their relentless hunger and destructive nature put the entire mine at risk of collapse. Venture into the mine, face the oozes, and eradicate them to restore safety and prosperity. Reward: 6 Gold, 3 Silver.”

That seemed more our speed. We nodded at June, who signed off on the quest and wished us luck.

With our new task in hand, we left the guild and began our shopping spree. Our campsite was sparse, to say the least. We had a cheap tent and a bedroll for each of us, a pot for making soup and stew, a metal sheet for grilling, and some basic cooking utensils.

We stopped by a nearby merchant and picked up larger, sturdier tents that had thicker layers of fabric woven in its walls. We also purchased thicker, more comfortable bedrolls and a couple of plush pillows for added comfort. Additionally, we bought a portable stove that would allow us to cook more than just soups and stews, and an improved grilling rack for better heat distribution. To complement the stove, we added a sturdy frying pan and a set of cast-iron pots to our gear.

For food preparation, we invested in a solid chopping board and a set of sharp, high-quality knives. A small spice kit also found its way into our cart, providing a variety of flavors for our meals. Finally, we picked up a collapsible table and chairs, giving us a comfortable place to eat and socialize.

With our living quarters upgraded, we moved onto our travel supplies. We stocked up on rations, healing potions, and some rope and torches, just in case we'd need them in the mine. We estimated that the mine was half a day away by carriage, and depending on the size of the mine, the quest could take anywhere from a single day to an entire week.

As I go around the open market, I spot a familiar appearance, Vestele.

"Jasper, my favorite customer! How've ya been?" His voice booms, carrying over the clamor of the market in a fashion that betrays his self-deniable feminine charms.

"Doing well, Vestele," I reply, reciprocating his greeting with a smile.

As my party members approach, Vestele turns his attention to Esther, "And how's our lovely Esther? I heard you weren't feeling well last time."

Esther hesitates for a moment, then realizes what he was referring to. "Oh, I'm all fine now! Thank you for your concern," she replies, grinning at his thoughtful gesture.

Stepping closer to Vestele, I lean in to whisper, "Don't mention the dungeon, they don't know about it yet, and I want to keep it that way."

Vestele, catching on quickly, nods and flashes a sly grin, "Well, I hope my dear friend here would like to peruse my wares today!"

"Wow, your stuff always amazes me, Vestele," I play along, "Could you explain what these gadgets do? I'd like to choose one."

With an even wider grin, Vestele launches into his sales pitch. He holds up a small box with blinking lights, "This, my friend, is the 'Goblin Locator', it gives off a light show whenever a goblin is nearby. Handy, right? Although, I must warn you, it tends to go haywire around pixies."

Next, he presents a delicate vial of shimmering liquid. "Here's the 'Elixir of Truth', a single sip compels you to tell the truth for an hour. But be careful, it doesn’t distinguish between friend or foe, so don’t blurt out your deepest secrets in the wrong company."

He then shows a metal band, "This is a 'Magic Amplifier'. It boosts the power of your magic but at the cost of your physical strength. I wouldn’t recommend it for any heavy lifting after use."

Fourth, he presents a curious contraption with spinning gears. "This, my dear Jasper, is the 'Portable Timekeeper'. It accurately tells the time, but unfortunately, it’s rather noisy. Might give you away if you're trying to sneak around."

Lastly, he holds up a pair of goggles. "These 'Darkvision Goggles' help you see in the dark. However, it turns daylight into a blinding brightness, so remember to take them off come sunrise."

"I would gladly take the 'Darkvision Goggles'" I declare, grabbing the least obnoxious item from his stockpile. Despite the hefty price, the goggles would undeniably come in handy during our overnight quests. "How much is it?" I ask, trying to hide my slight interest.

"For you, one silver!" Vestele announces with an audacious grin, looking as if he just closed the deal of the century. The price, for all intents and purposes, is a total rip-off.

"Wow! Such a steal!" I reply, playing along with his enthusiasm. I reach into my pouch, extracting a silver coin and presenting it to Vestele with an exaggerated bow. His chortle echoes through the market, drawing amused glances from the surrounding vendors.

"Thank you for your patronage!" He rejoices, his grin widening to an almost impossible width. He hands over the goggles, which I promptly toss into my bag.

"When are you going to sell me some actual good stuff?" I challenge him, crossing my arms over my chest.

"No idea what you're talking about," Vestele feigns innocence, his grin turning mischievous.

"Next time I come back, you better have some top-shelf stuff," I say in a fake combative tone, pointing a finger in his direction.

"Alright, alright, I'll get you some of my good stuff," he concedes, chuckling heartily as we turn to leave.

Saying our goodbyes, my group and I begin our trek back home, our minds filled with thoughts of the new and improved campsite.

As we arrive at our camp, we start replaced our old equipment with the new purchases, while chatting about quests and stories we've experienced together as a party.