Morning Tasks

Steven strode through the Mistveil’s morning fog, his Stormgull Flyer set swaying as he made for Thread & Tide first, the tailor’s shop humming with early bustle. The gnome seamstress looked up as he entered, her spectacles glinting. “Back with yer symbol, eh?” she chirped. He nodded, leaning on the counter. “Holy cross—simple, elegant, gold thread, solid and filled in.” She grinned, grabbing her quill. “Clean choice—where ye want it?” “Left breast o’ the shirt, left pocket o’ the pants,” he said, picturing the bluish-silver tank top and ash-gray board shorts marked with his crest. She nodded approval, scribbling notes. “Sharp—holy cross’ll pop in gold.”

He added, “Jorn might send ye gloves to stitch it on too—same deal, holy cross, filled in.” Her eyes lit up. “Oh? Somethin’ for fightin’? Good call—Jorn’s a grumpy sod, but his skill’s top-notch. I’ll match ‘em perfect.” Steven smirked, satisfied, and headed out, leaving her to weave his casual gear with the golden cross.

Next, The Salty Hammer—the docks’ forge smoked as he stepped in, Jorn hammering away. The blacksmith glanced up, wiping sweat. “Ye’re back—symbol sorted?” Steven nodded. “Holy cross, filled in, gold thread—one on each glove.” He tapped his wrists. “Add straps here to tighten ‘em down—keep ‘em snug.” Jorn’s gruff face split into a grin. “Can do—how ‘bout I stitch some Fury Rabbit Fur onto the leather ‘round the wrists? Toughens it, adds a kick—works for ye?” Steven’s eyes lit up. “Yup, that’ll do—price ain’t a factor.” Jorn chuckled, enthusiasm breaking his grump. “Only an extra 5 copper, son—kraken fang’s the steep bit. Two days, it’ll be ready.” Steven nodded, leaving with a wave, the gloves—abyssal octopus leather, kraken fang plates, fury fur straps, and golden crosses—taking shape in his mind.

Back at the guild, the bounty board loomed—his new clothes were for swagger, not blood, so he scanned for quests to keep them pristine. Options flickered in the lantern light:

F-Rank Quests (Low Risk):

Lost Ledger - Retrieve a merchant’s ledger from a tavern alley. Reward: 18 copper.

Cracked Pot Delivery - Fetch 5 cracked pots for a farmer. Reward: 15 copper.

Stray Cat Chase - Catch a tagged kitty on the wharf. Reward: 17 copper.

E-Rank Quests (Moderate Risk):

Mistbloom Hunt - Harvest 15 mistblooms from cleared cliff caves. Reward: 45 copper.

Guard Duty - Escort a trader’s cart to a hamlet, half-day. Reward: 45 copper.

Wolf Pup Scare - Drive off 5 wolf pups, no killing. Reward: 35 copper.

D-Rank Quests (Higher Risk):

Goblin Patrol - Wipe out a 10-goblin patrol on the trade road. Reward: 1 silver.

Haunted Wreck - Banish spirits from a ghost ship. Reward: 2 silver, 50 copper.

Steven’s fists itched, but his new threads—Stormgull Flyer now, custom set tomorrow—demanded care. The Mistbloom Hunt tempted—his cleared cave made it a stroll, 45 copper for no mess. Guard Duty was clean too, just walking. His D-rank edge eyed the Haunted Wreck, but ghosts might stain—best saved for armor.