THE ADVENTURER’S ADVENTURE
By Gary Day
Two goblins enter the tavern and the Adventurer draws his sword. The goblins attempt to surround him, but the Adventurer manages to negotiate himself into a position where they are unable to flank him. The Adventurer takes a swing at the goblin on the right, and manages to make a cut in his lower left leg. The goblin continues forwards with blood spurting out of his thigh. The Adventurer knows it would be best to finish him off first. The right goblin goes to stab the Adventurer, but he manages to parry the goblin’s attempt, and then quickly slices the goblin in the torso. The wound is deep enough to finish off the goblin. The remaining goblin is a little shocked, and decides to charge into the Adventurer. Again, the Adventurer manages to parry the goblin’s stab and side-step the charge, giving him an easy swing to the goblin’s head. He manages to decapitate the goblin and the head flies off into the corner of the room while the body continues to run forwards a few steps, before collapsing onto the floor. Marta comes out from behind a broken table to see the Adventurer victorious, and runs over to him.
Marta:
Thank you, brave Adventurer. May I offer you some food and drink before you leave?
Adventurer:
I have just eaten, but I could use a drink, thank you.
Marta:
No problem, my lord, I shall have some wine ready for you in a moment.
Marta rummages through a cupboard that is still intact and brings out a bottle of red wine.
Marta:
Here you are, my lord.
Adventurer:
I think you should have one for yourself as well.
Marta:
That’s a good idea. I’ll do that.
Marta pours herself a drink.
Adventurer:
So, was there anything else you knew of besides the causeway and guardian of the well?
Marta:
Well, my lord, I cannot remember much, but I believe that there is a clever man just beyond my tavern. If you need an answer, he should know it. He has some knowledge of level two as well, my lord, so maybe it’s worth asking him a few questions before you continue on your journey. Is there anything else I can aid you with?
Adventurer:
You have done enough, Marta, thank you. Perhaps this will aid you in getting your tavern back up and running.
The Adventurer hands over the bar of gold to Marta.
Marta:
Why, thank you, my lord! Thank you so much. I’ll tell you what I will do for you, my lord; I will take you into the village and show you where the clever man is.
Adventurer:
Thank you, Marta.
Marta:
Not a problem, my lord. Now, hold on to my arm and I shall lead you to our village.
Marta grabs the Adventurer’s arm and leads him towards the left door. They both proceed through the door, arm in arm.
Marta guides the Adventurer to the village of Stoneley. This is the only village in the whole of the castle, for the deeper dungeons are quite uninhabitable. Marta guides the Adventurer towards Brother Strange, who is leaning against a wall.
Marta:
‘Ere you are, my lord. This is the man that is very clever. He has knowledge of this dungeon and should be able to help you in your quest. Good luck, dear sir, and thank you very much for the gold.
Adventurer:
No, my lady, thank you for everything you have done.
Marta blushes before she takes her leave and heads back to her tavern. The Adventurer now turns to face Brother Strange and waits for him to speak.
Brother Strange:
Good day to you, young Adventurer, I am Brother Strange. I see that you seek knowledge, and knowledge I can provide. The question is, would you be able to use such knowledge wisely? I suppose I should first ask whether you are on a quest, as from your attire it would appear to be the case.
Adventurer:
Yes, I am.
Brother Strange:
Excellent. And may I ask, what is the purpose of your quest?
Adventurer:
To rescue an elf being held captive in the lower levels.
Brother Strange:
Rescuing an elf. Of course, Mogdred requires knowledge of the surrounding area and so… Oh dear, I think I know who this elf may be. It is very good that you are on a quest to rescue this elf, so I shall help you all I can.
Adventurer:
Thank you, Brother Strange.
Brother Strange:
First I need to test that you have knowledge, and to do that I shall ask you to give me a proverb that I have not heard before. Once I have attained this proverb, I shall give you some important information. Do you have a proverb?
The Adventurer stands there thinking of a proverb that he could offer to Brother Strange. Finally, one dawns on him.
Adventurer:
Have you heard this one, Brother Strange? A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
Brother Strange:
Indeed I have, for this is one of the first that I ever learned. Please do try again, though.
The Adventurer starts to struggle to think of a proverb. He tries a different one.
Adventurer:
All that glitters is not gold.
Brother Strange:
All that glitters is not gold. Hmm, I’ve never heard of that one. Quite a good one as well, as far as a proverb goes. I shall have to remember that one. As for you, Adventurer, I shall offer you what advice I can. I understand that you are aware that there is a causeway you must cross, and also a well you must descend by that is guarded by a knight who will require a password to progress.
Adventurer:
Yes, Brother Strange, I am aware of this.
Brother Strange:
What you are probably not aware of is that there is a man called Cedric awaiting any challenger that descends. He has lots of knowledge and will provide difficult questions. You may challenge him to combat, or insults if you would rather, but these are by no means simple. The choice will be yours. If you manage to beat Cedric well enough in your chosen discipline, he will give you the second step. Now, this is only useful if you know the first step, which I am able to give to you, Adventurer. The first step is the hop.
Adventurer:
Thanks for the advice, Brother Strange.
Brother Strange:
No, thank you, Adventurer, for providing me with a new proverb, and for attempting such a noble quest. Look after that lamp, for you will need it sooner than you think. Farewell, traveller.
Before the Adventurer is able to give a reply to Brother Strange, he has disappeared completely. The Adventurer can only see the corridor ahead of him, and there are no turnings to either side. The Adventurer carries on trekking down the tunnel.
The Adventurer has walked for a long while when he reaches a fork in the corridor. He has a choice to move left or right. He looks around the walls for a clue, but cannot see one that would aid him in his choice. As he is about to make his choice, he sees an ogre approaching from the left-hand entrance. The Adventurer thinks it would be best to avoid a confrontation with the ogre at the moment, and so chooses the right-hand path. He scampers along the corridor, and can hear the ogre following him. He finally sees a portal ahead of him, and walks through it.
The Adventurer enters a dark room. He cannot see anything and is unsure what to do. Then a voice can be heard in his head.
Treguard:
Remember the advice that Brother Strange has given you, Adventurer.
The Adventurer thinks back and remembers that the lamp will be needed sooner than he thinks. Of course, he has not thought of it and it is needed now! The Adventurer holds up the magic lamp and the room becomes brighter. He can see what is ahead of him - it is the causeway. The only block in front of him is a yellow block, so he steps onto it. He now has a choice of red or blue. He thinks back to what Marta has told him - she mentioned that the combination is red, blue, yellow, and keeps on looping. Therefore the next in the sequence is red. He steps onto the red square, and he sees the yellow square (which is now behind him) and the blue square next to him disappear. The Adventurer breathes a sigh of relief and then has the choice of blue or yellow. He steps on the blue and sees the red behind him and the yellow next to him disappear. He now has the choice of yellow or red. He chooses the yellow step, and sees the blue he was on and the red next to him disappear. The final choice throws him completely, though - green or purple.
Adventurer:
Which step to choose?
He then thinks about how the colours are made up - purple is red and blue, and green is blue and yellow. He has just stepped on the yellow and blue, so green should be the correct step. Then he thinks that the next two steps are red and blue, and they mix to make purple. The Adventurer keeps thinking about which would be the more logical path - combining the next two steps, or the result of the previous two steps. He takes a deep breath and steps onto the purple step. The yellow behind him disappears, but neither the green nor the purple disappear. Perhaps both were correct after all! He steps forward and goes through the portal.
He finally arrives in the wellway room, but there is an armoured knight standing by the well. He comes over and begins to speak to the Adventurer.
Knight:
Password!
The Adventurer tries to think back, and suddenly remembers that Igneous has given him a password, and now seems as good a time as any to use it!
Adventurer:
Battleaxe.
Knight:
Password accepted. Please continue towards level two.
The Adventurer can hardly believe that he has come through this task so easily, and begins to approach the wellway. The Adventurer still has the lamp in his hand, and ponders whether to keep it or to abandon it before entering the well. He thinks that the lamp may come in handy, so he keeps hold of it and starts trying to get into the well. Then a voice can be heard.
Treguard:
Please leave all level one objects here, for they will not be of any use to you below.
The Adventurer accepts that the lamp needs to be left behind, and so he places it on the floor and climbs into the well. He takes one deep breath before he lets go of the ledge, and falls down into the darkness below.
So, our brave Adventurer has completed the first level, but two more remain to test his mettle to its very limits! Come back next time to find out what happens.