A Tale of Broken Eggs

The tavern roared with life; fire crackling, mugs clashing, voices shouting, fights breaking out as easy as laughter. Today was Hiring Day, a day where guild members got new adventurers.

Ozula sat apart from everything, watching. While others sought attention, Ozula didn’t, he knew he would find the right people for his job. Just then, the doors exploded open, “Brotherrrrr!~” A rabbit-kin shouted as he skipped on over to Ozula’s table. Ozula didn’t lift his gaze, already filling out paperwork for the man, “Hello Prixa, you’re late” He spoke. “I made it, didn’t I?” he asked teasingly as he leaned onto his table, “I suppose you did.” Ozula responded as Prixa sat in a chair after a moment. Ozula hands his clipboard over and looked at his little brother, “You know what to do, I am expecting Eris to show up again.” Ozula spoke.

Prixa tilted his head, “Eris? I fear I do not remember this name! New boyfriend of yours?” He asked to which Ozula shook his head, “Nah, You weren’t on my last adventure but he showed up and helped me out when I needed it, told him to meet here to be hired officially if he wants work.” he explained.

Just then the doors to the tavern opened once more, a pair of elves walking in, speaking to each other in tounges. They went to various tables, spoke to guild members to see if anyone was a good fit, discussing their options in their elven language before coming across Ozula’s table. “Hello sir, I am Amaria, this here is my brother Michael. We are looking for, hopefully, a long term adventure and a long term acquaintance with a leader! What adventure are you partaking today?” the woman asked, she was short for an elf but spoke for her brother anyways. Ozula sat up straight and cleared his throat, “Well I tend to test run new people for my adventures, so we will be going on a basic dragon hunt to see how you two handle yourselves. Allow me to fill your paperwork. So you are Amar’ia, and he is Michael, good… Vocations?” He asked the duo. Michael spoke up, “Artificer, sir, got my strap and my bullets on standby and a wrench when you need it!” he answered simply, showing his revolver to Ozula confidently. “And I am a Zealot Priest sir!” Amar’ia spoke after. Ozula wrote down the information and smiled.

As this went on, Michael noticed the rabbit-kin staring at him with big eyes, “You okay? You on somethin lil guy?” he asked. Prixa shook his head, “Nope, just uh.. admiring the new bloods! Ozula here is my brother and we haven’t had new adventurers in a bit!” he responded quickly, a blush filling his face as Michael spoke to him. Michael gave a little smirk, “I can imagine why if hunting dragons is considered a test… But me and my sister have handled worse!” He asked as the two chatted. For the next two hours, they filled out documents and paperwork. Just like clockwork, a dark figure in a black jacket appeared before Ozula. Ozula smirked upon seeing him, “Well well, you decided to show up after all Eris?” he asked, “After the fun we had? Wouldn’t miss this for the world. What’s the hunt today?”, “A dragon.” he simply said.

Eris smirked, “Perfect, I am in the mood for a quality hunt like that sir!”

After everyone finished their paperwork, they handed it to Ozula who opened a massive book of information regarding his particular guild. He slid the paperwork into a few films and closed the book. Michael looked a bit surprised, “Is that a rulebook we have to learn sir?” he asked sheepishly, adjusting the large goggles on his face to see better. Ozula shook his head, “Not yet. You all make it, you have to to understand how I run. But for now—” he stood up, “—Let’s get to hunting us a dragon. Let’s head into town and get some travel supplies, I have a particular dragon that has a nasty bounty.” he said as everyone nodded.

As everyone went into town, Ozula was sure to take everyone to the local blacksmith, “This is something I better see you guys utilizing, He is not a regular smith. This guy specifically can upgrade anything you want. You name it, he can upgrade it. Amaria I noticed you carry a book, he can bless it and make it stronger, though he has said that it may not last as long but he sure tries. Michael, he can make bullets, so make sure you stock up when you can.” Ozula explained, he felt like he was taking a bunch of children on a field trip, but this was a necessary task. If you don’t understand your own town, you will surely miss something. “Obviously if we need to rest our heads, the tavern will let us in for free as guild members, but not every town is fond of my guild so be wary and report to me… What else…” Ozula snaps his clawed fingers, “Ah! Across the way is a butcher shop, we will need meats for our adventures, hopefully nobody here is vegan… No offense Prixa” just then a small rock hit Ozula’s head, “I’m vegetarian you klutz! Not vegan! Besides! Im vegetarian when I CAN be, if I gotta eat meat I will, just like any prey animal would!” he lectured as Ozula laughed him off. Amaria tilted her head, “I thought rabbits can die from eating meat though?” She asked. Prixa nodded, “Well yeah, rabbits do, I am rabbit-kin. I am still mostly human, especially in the digestive aspect, I just like my greens more than meats.” he explained, “Ah!” Amaria exclaimed.

After a short shopping trip, the group got their gear enhanced or otherwise enchanted for a fair price. Now at the butcher shop, Ozula’s mouth basically flooded with saliva. As a kobold, this was his turf. He loved all kinds of meat. “As I said before, butcher shop, meats, self explanatory. Just be careful, you lot are on my tab, I gotta pay for what you do or don’t eat.” Ozula explained. The party stared at him and he stared back at them, “Well? Go on! Get t’buying! It’s on me, just don’t buy what you wont eat!” and with that the party began separating and looking at the various things. Michael bought some fish, Ozula bought some whole hams, Amar’ia bought the biggest of them all. “And what can I get for you young lady?” the butcher asked. “First off, don’t call me that shit, second off, I would liiiiike… two pounds of chicken, a pound of beef—” she slowly looks at Prixa, “—three pounds of rabbit… and a deer.” silence for a bit as Prixa slowly pointed to himself, “Me..? Ill have you know I weigh one-forty-five!” He exclaimed as the gang all laughed. Everyone eventually got their meats and a few ice boxes they were going to haul around.

Ozula looked at his little check list and hummed, “Blacksmith, Butcher shop, I think that’s the general gist of things. We are ready to hunt us a dragon!” he exclaimed. Everyone gave a brief cheer before a rustling was heard from a nearby dumpster. Michael pointed his gun at the dumpster, “What was that?!” he asked as Ozula moved Michael’s arm up, “Woah hey now, don’t be getting all trigger happy now, probably just a rat or something.” he spoke as the dumpster sound continued. A ratty looking man shot out of the dumpster, “Dragon?! Can I come?!” he asked rapidly. Silence as everyone gave him a very ._. stare.

“Uh… We are full so I don’t think you can.. and you didn’t sign up with the guild.” Ozula spoke, “Well I come anyways!” he stated, “Name is Archemedis!” he spoke loud and proud. “Riiiight…” Amar’ia spoke, “Well you stay over there because I smelled you before I saw you… What even are you, a rat?”, “Nope! Nyavari! Cat person!”, “Ah, you just smell like what you eat then, yucky…” she remarked. The man just stared and sorta... tagged along.