Chương 41: Chapter 28: Adventurer's Guild - Part I

The receptionist's smile widens slightly and gestures toward the empty space before the reception desk.

"What would you like to know?" I hesitate. The question itself proves more difficult than expected.

"How exactly does all of this work?" I ask eventually. The receptionist blinks.

"The guild?" I nod.

"You've never worked through an Adventurer's Guild before?"

"No." Something in her expression softens.

"That is less unusual than you might think," she says.

"Most people assume everyone who walks through those doors arrives already knowing what they're doing." Judging by the conversations taking place throughout the guild hall, I suspect that assumption to be optimistic at best.

"My name is Liora," she continues.

"I work at the reception desk. If you're considering taking contracts, I can explain the basics." I glance toward the board behind her.

"I think that would help."

"The guild exists to connect people who need assistance with individuals capable of providing it," Liora explains.

"Contracts are reviewed before being posted. Once accepted, the adventurer completes the task, submits a report and receives payment."

"That sounds straightforward."

"It is," Liora says. Then she pauses.

"Most of the time." I consider the emphasis placed upon the final sentence.

"What happens during the rest of the time?" Liora's professional smile acquires the strained quality of lived experience, "Creative interpretation." I decide against asking further questions.

"Do I need to become an adventurer in order to accept contracts?" Liora studies me for a moment.

"Do you intend to become one?" The question catches me off guard.

"I haven't decided."

"In that case," she says, "you don't need to decide today. The guild has provisions for temporary contractors and independent specialists."

"Independent specialists?"

"Healers, scholars, craftsmen, local guides." A faint smile touches her expression.

"Occasionally, even druids, though I haven't seen any come to Fallowspire before."

"What sort of contracts do people usually take?"

"That depends entirely upon the individual," Liora replies.

"Some prefer escort missions. Others focus on gathering commissions or investigations. Beast-related contracts tend to attract adventurers with combat experience." The last category draws my attention despite myself.

"What determines whether a beast contract is issued?"

"Danger to local communities, trade routes or agricultural districts," she explains.

"The guild exists to solve problems. Removing a threat is one solution among many." This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. I pause.

"Among many?" Liora notices the question immediately.

"Not every beast requires killing," she says.

"Sometimes relocation is sufficient. Occasionally, the reports themselves are inaccurate." For reasons I struggle to articulate, relief settles quietly within me. Liora reaches beneath the counter before producing several neatly organized pamphlets, "These explain guild procedures, reporting requirements and compensation structures." I stare at the stack.

"There are procedures?" Liora blinks.

"Of course there are procedures." Before I can respond, an amused voice drifts across the reception area.

"Careful now, Liora. If you introduce him to paperwork too early, we might lose Fallowspire's newest council member before he even accepts his first contract." The guild hall grows noticeably quieter. I turn toward the source of the interruption. Near the reception area, a broad-shouldered man rises slowly from his chair. Age has silvered portions of his dark hair without diminishing the impression of physical capability beneath it.

Scars mark his exposed forearms while practical traveling clothes replace the elaborate attire one might expect from someone important enough to interrupt guild business without consequence. He studies me with open curiosity, then smiles.

"Well now," he says.

"Look at that." The amusement in his expression deepens.

"Fallowspire's mighty Grovekeeper finally decides to grace us with a visit." Beside me, Liora straightens immediately.

"Guildmaster." The title settles into place. The man notices my reaction and chuckles.

"That obvious?" he chuckles. I glance between him and the receptionist, "Somewhat."

"Fair enough." The Guildmaster extends his hand, "My name is Darran Vale," he says.

"Guildmaster of Fallowspire's Adventurer's Guild." The smile he offers turns distinctly more mischievous.

"And unfortunately for your chances of remaining anonymous, fellow member of the city council." I blink, "You're on the council?" Darran sighs dramatically, "Someone has to remind the rest of them that Fallowspire extends beyond district reports and administrative meetings." The expression reminds me, unexpectedly, of Garrick.

"If Havlar hears you describing his work that way-""He'll compose a strongly worded memorandum." Darran waves dismissively.

"I've survived worse." For reasons I cannot entirely explain, I suspect the city lord would disagree. Darran's attention shifts back toward the reception area before I can pursue the subject further. Around us, the guild continues moving through its daily routines. Adventurers approach the contract board with varying degrees of confidence while others return to the reception desk carrying completed reports and proof of work fulfilled.

For all the noise filling the hall, there is an unmistakable sense of purpose beneath it. Problems arrive here and solutions leave, mostly. I glance once more toward the contract board before returning my attention to Darran.

"You mentioned beast contracts earlier," I say.

"How are they verified?" Before Darran can respond, Liora answers from behind the reception desk.

"Proof of completion is required for all contracts," she explains.

"The exact requirements depend upon the nature of the request. For ordinary beasts, that may include fur samples, horns, tusks or other identifiable remains. Magical beasts are somewhat more complicated."

"How so?" I ask. Liora arranges several documents into neat stacks before continuing.

"Certain magical beasts develop what scholars refer to as beaststones. The guild accepts them as proof of completion when specified within the contract."

"Beaststones?" I repeat. Liora nods.

"They are crystallized mana organs that form within different magical creatures over different amount of time. Their quality varies considerably depending upon the beast itself. Artificers, alchemists and researchers often purchase them through licensed merchants."

"They are also exceptionally valuable," Darran adds. I remain silent for a moment before speaking, "I don't think I could harvest something like that simply for money." Neither Liora nor Darran responds immediately. Finally, Darran says, "That is your decision to make." I look toward him.

"The guild does not require its adventurers to share identical beliefs," he continues.

"Some choose to collect beaststones whenever possible. Others avoid them entirely. Most fall somewhere between."

"And what do you believe?" I ask. Darran considers the question before answering.

"I believe people make the choices they can live with," he says.

"Some support families through the work they do here. Others view beaststones as resources no different from lumber or ore. There are also those who refuse to touch them." His expression remains thoughtful rather than judgmental.

"The guild concerns itself with whether contracts are completed responsibly," he says.

"Beyond that, people decide for themselves." I think of the Silverwood, of the creatures Elarion had once sheltered, of wolves fleeing fire through smoke-choked forests after Blackthorn. Liora's voice draws me back toward the present.

"If a contract permits alternative forms of proof, they will be listed within the request itself," she explains.

"You are free to review those conditions before accepting any assignment." I nod slowly, "Thank you." Liora inclines her head, "You are welcome." For several moments, silence settles between us while adventurers move through the guild hall beyond the reception desk. Eventually, Darran gestures toward the contract board.

"Regardless of philosophy," he says, "the board remains the same." I follow his gaze, requests continue arriving, people continue seeking help. The guild continues functioning.

"Come," Darran says.

"You should understand what kind of work passes through Fallowspire before deciding whether any of it interests you." Together, we make our way toward the board lined with notices and parchment. Somewhere among them, one particular notice catches Darran's attention. He slows.

"That one has been waiting longer than I would prefer," he says quietly. I follow his gaze toward the parchment pinned near the center of the board. Then I begin to read.