The Life of an Adventurer

If it's a blade ya seek, I've got some new, some antique. Come on down to Blade Town!

Come on over for premium produce! Try our verdant veggies, or perhaps you fancy fresh fruit straight from the farm?

I see Unigan hasn't changed. Just as full of life as I remember it. Just being here, in the middle of it all makes me feel like I'm part of something exciting, you know?

Sounds like you got history with this place. Did you come here as a kid?

Ehhhh...Not quite. More like I'd stop here during my travels. It's been a while since I've done any of that though, so... The shops here have anything you could want, and the city itself is booming, so it's easy to get info.

It was and still is a great place for travelers to set up shop, so to speak.

Yup. Same for me. I come to Unigan for weapons, info, and a decent place to stay. Spent a lot of time here...

Ah yes. It's all coming back to me.

For some reason... whenever I'm in Unigan...

I'll just be minding my own business, then all of a sudden someone is like, "PLEASE SIR I NEED YOUR HELP!"

Now THAT is weird. I get the same exact thing! Every single time!

Do I have a sign on my back that says, "Will help for free" on it, or something?

Hah! I think I've got the same sign!

It's probably only a matter of time before we hear a "SOMEBODY HELP ME!" off in the distance.

SOMEBODY HELP ME!

Was that...

No way...

*sigh*... Is there no one around that can help me?

That was quick.

Well within expectations for me! Hah!

At any rate. Let's go see what that lovely young lady over there needs help with!

I mean, she did say she needed help, right?

"Lovely young lady" huh? Didn't realize he was such a playboy.

*sigh*... Just where did he get off to? What ever should I do?

Sorry, m'am, we couldn't help but notice you yelling about needing some help. May we be of service?

If you don't mind, that is. If you tell us what's the matter, we might be able to help you.

Huh? And you guys are...

No need to be frightened, milady. We're just a couple of traveling adventurers. So please, let us help you.

Well, you see...my husband went out to pick some herbs, and then, he never came back. Now I'm afraid something terrible happened to him...

I see... That is cause for concern, indeed.

He went out to get herbs for my mother-in-law because she hurt her leg recently. I'd go looking for him, but I can't just leave her home all alone.

Okay. I think I got the gist of it. Me and my companion here will go search for your husband.

Really?! You'd do that for me?!

If it's okay with you, Victor?

Of course! I knew that's what you were going to say before you even said it.

Okay, so do you know where about your husband went looking for herbs?

Nope. He just said "Gonna go pick some herbs." and then left.

All right. Then it sounds like we need to ask around.

Yeah, perhaps someone might've seen him?

Now that we've accepted her quest, we must ask these people three: 1. The bartender 2. The weapons dealer 3. The sentinel over by the west gate.

These people...three? What? Why?

Call it an adventurer's intuition, my dear boy. Those three nondescript plebian commoners will surely have the right info.

Intuition?!

O-Okay, I trust your "intuition" is usually accurate?

Oh yeah. Super accurate.

So when we ask the bartender he will likely say: "He stopped by here for a quick drink, but this merchant kept going on about how great he was." Then he'll say, "He said something about making money off selling herbs, and your guy seemed pretty interested."

Wow!

Weapons dealer guy will likely say: "He came asking for something that could cut grass." And finally, Sentinel A will say... "Well, I've been gettin' some reports of a horde of monsters out near Karek Swampland recently.

Woah! That's extremely specific! And we haven't even talked to anyone yet!

You're not just making this all up ...right?

Don't believe me, eh? I am most certainly not "just making this all up." My adventurer's intuition never misses! Don't worry, you'll see. Now let's hit those streets.

O-Okay...

There's no way his intuition can be that specific...right?

Victor! He said the thing you said!

Hah! See? Told ya!

And lemme guess... You weren't able to catch where the merchant got his herbs from, right?

OKAY. HOW did you know that?!

Adventurer's intuition, my boy. Never leave home without it.

......

I remember him. He came here to buy a knife the other day. I remember because it was kind of an unusual request...

What kind of unusual request?

He came asking for something that could cut grass.

Victor! That's exactly what you said he'd say!

All in the intuition, my dear adventurer!

And then once you sold him the knife, he left really quickly, correct?

Yeah. He said "This'll work" and then ran off!

Which means you probably didn't see where he was going, huh...

Seen anything strange, you ask? Hmmm...

Well, I've been gettin' some reports of a horde of monsters out near Karek Swampland recently.

He even paused in the same places you did, Victor!

Good to see I'm not gettin' rusty...

I wanna ask about the worried looking guy that ran past the gate a bit ago.

How did you know there was a worried looking guy that ran past the gate a bit ago?!

Nono, don't tell...

ADVENTURER'S INTUITION, MY DEAR BOY!

Intuition?!

You're right though, there was a man that fits that description.

I told him he can't go out there cause of the monsters, but he just pushed right through.

If you two are headin' down through Karek Swampland, I suggest you be extra careful!

We will. Thanks.

Well. It happened just as you said, Victor.

But there's no way to know if that guy the sentinel saw was her husband.

Okay, let's review. If we think about the information holistically, we're sure to find our answer.

Agreed.

And, based on the information we got, I'd say...

He went to the Karek Swamplands to look for herbs, got cornered by some sahuagin, and is stuck there.

What? I don't remember anyone mentioning sahuagin?!

BUT, you've been right down to the letter so far...

Aldo. Wait. I'm getting more.

We've had a streak of good weather, so the herbs growing in the Karek Swamplands are no doubt exceptional. This caused the herb-loving sahuagin to come out in droves.

So, when the husband went there, grass cutting blade in hand...

He got surrounded by sahuagin, making it impossible for him to come back. The logic is sound, at least.

At any rate, we should go to the Karek Swamplands and check!

F-Fine...

Now I just wanna see if he's right...

HEY! STOP! SHOO! ALL OF YOU!

Will you look at that. Right again.

Of course I was! Get with the program Aldo!

Okay, but how do we help him?! He's completely surrounded, if we're not careful...

Chill Aldo. There are several ways we can approach this!

Oh?! Do tell!

I thought you'd never ask!

1. Use sahuagin's favorite food as bait to draw them away. 2. Run in swords swinging. 3. Make the sound sahuagin hate to scare them away.

Those are the three options, Aldo.

CHOOSE YOUR ADVENTURE!

My what?

Err...uhh... Swords swinging sounds dangerous, so...

Let's do the noise!

BRRRRRRRRRRRRR! WRONG ANSWER.

...Wrong?

If we do the noise, there's a high possibility they'll also get violent!

Go ahead, pick again.

Okay, uhhh, thennnn...

Use their favorite food?

DING DING DING! You chose wisely, Aldo!

O-Oh! Yay! I did it!

Wait, why didn't you just tell me the right answer from the beginning?

...Er...Nevermind. We have more pressing matters. What's the plan?

I had a feeling this would happen, so I went and loaded up on their favorite fruit. We'll just use these to lure them away!

When...did...you...

Adventurers must always be prepared, my dear boy.

Even "former" adventurers!

SAAAHUUUAGINNNNNN! I GOT FRUIIIIT FOR YOUUUUUUU!

Okay, here they come! Leave them to...

Uhm...

UHHHMMMM????

Great job, Aldo. Stunning work.

But, I didn't do anything?!

What do you mean you didn't do anything! You picked the plan!

Yeah, but... I just did what you said to do.

Well, at any rate, looks like things are under control.

Under control? Afraid not, my dear boy. This case is just getting started.

What? The sahuagin are gone, that lady's husband is safe, that's it, right?

I'm afraid not, you see...

Oh WOW you two are AWESOME! You totally saved my life! When those sahuagin surrounded me, I thought I was a goner for sure, but here I am, not a scratch on me...

...Uh oh.

Waaaaaahhhh! HEEEEELP MEEEEEEE!

Oh no! We've got to do something!

See? Told you it's not over yet.

Well, don't just stand there! We need to chase after them!

Relax, Aldo. There's no need to hurry. My adventurer's intuition is already telling me that harpy is heading to the Nuaru Uplands.

Intuition again?! I mean, I guess I have no reason to doubt it now...

To the Nuaru Uplands!

Now, they should be around...

Victor! Over there!

Whew... I think it stopped for a break...

I should use this chance to...

Uh oh. I'm dead.

Have no fear! Aldo and Victor are here!

YES! Thankfully you guys showed up!

See? Harpies can't carry humans over long distances. They just aren't strong enough. And what do harpies eat? Sahuagin. Gotta bunch of saggies? Get a bunch of harpies.

Save the exposition for later, we got a man to save!

Oh. Right.

ALDO! LET US JOIN SWORDS IN BATTLE!

Saved again! Thank you both so much!

I thought I was a harpy meal with a side of flies for sure!

It's nothing, just glad you're all right. But...

BUT WHAT?? We're done right?!

Yes. But...

Yes but what?! Come on Victor!

You didn't get your herbs, right?

Unfortunately...no.

Thought so.

Here, take these.

WOW! This bag is full of herbs!

Wait a second! When in the world did you find time to pick herbs?! I've literally been with you the whole time.

I had a feeling I'd need them, so when I was in the swamplands the other day, I picked a few.

THE OTHER DAY?! Are you psychic?!

Psychic? No my dear Aldo. It's simply the intuition of a former adventurer.

I think intuition is selling it a bit short, Victor.

Tomayto tomahto, Aldo. Let us not worry about such trifles!

I can use this to make medicine for my mother! I really can't thank you enough. Can I just say though, I am very impressed with your knowledge of the area.

Let's just say I've been coming here long enough to get a lay of the land.

So it wasn't just Unigan you used to frequent then, I take it.

Just passed through a lot during my travels.

Then I need to ask. Have you ever been to Baruoki? It's where I grew up.

Spoilers, Aldo. Let's table this conversation for later.

Spoil...ers?

It's adventure-speak for a secret, Aldo.

Let's get this man back to his wife. She must be worried sick.

Hmm... Yeah, you're right. Let's head back to Unigan.

Thank you so much for saving my Herby. I don't know WHAT I would have done if you hadn't!

All in a day's adventure, milady.

Is what I would say if I wasn't a "former" adventurer. Just glad your husband is okay. Anyway, I think you have some medicine to make?

Yes! Please! Go tend to your mother!

Right! Before we go, thank you. We'll never forget your kindness.

If you're ever in Unigan, let us know! We'll do anything to help!

Hah! Thanks. I'll keep that in mind.

Well, we should get going...

Aaaand case closed?

Case closed.

Finally!

Buuuuuut...

Oh? Do I sense some adventurer's intuition coming?

No. Listen, I'm glad this all worked out, but... Hmm... How do I put this... You keep going on about adventures, but...

This adventure didn't feel like an adventure at all!

Really? That's not how I see it. Think about it.

It began with a sudden cry for help. A damsel in distress.

Then the setup. Ah a missing husband! We hit the streets. After gathering clues, we head out and find a group of monsters. Danger! We best them with our swords. Safe at last. But no! A greater evil presents itself! There's a chase, and a battle! Action! Suspense!

Finally, the husband is saved, and he's even got his herbs! The herbs then are used to save his mother! If this isn't an adventure, I don't know what is!

I mean, when you put it that way...

But, what I mean is, it just felt like everything was predetermined.

It doesn't feel like an adventure unless I feel in control.

I see what you mean.

All, right! Next adventure, I'll make it so it feels like you're in the driver's seat.

Just leave it to me!

...... Yeah, I don't think he gets it.