The Adventures of Bob!

 Bob was bored..... He lent against the battle ment and stared out across the land. Rolling green fields and forests were spread out before him. People were walking up and down the road into Shireheath plodding on with their dull lives Bob thought. He could see some figures in the distance in the fields, a brief flicker of excitement that it could be goblins or orcs shot through his heart but alas no the figures were farmers working in their field how very dull.  Being a city guard sounded exciting until you become a city guard and find out its lots of standing around and watching. That's it really, sure there is the occasional bar brawl but that's it for this little town. The one glorious moment in Bob's guard career was when the Black foot attacked the town, I mean he had been scared the entire time but he had survived and killed a few goblins. Problem was after that the town of Shireheath was pretty much secure which has led to Bob's boredom. Bob had a plan though, one more week and he had finished his allotted tender as a guard then he would have the choice to sign on for another year or leave. He planned on leaving, with all the standing around and watching it left lots of time to plan and dream and boy Bob had been doing that. Ever since the battle of Shireheath where for a brief moment Bob had fought alongside the heroes of Shireheath he had wanted to be an adventurer! He remembered the calm and precise aim of the rangers Downhead and Azorak. The grace of Ianthe the druid and sheer power of Ragnum the barbarian when the had faced down the Black Foot.  They stood their ground against the evil hordes and Bob wanted to be just like them! They had left and every now and then  Shireheath would hear stories of their exploits killing pirates and defeating vampires. Plus Bob had heard they had loads of treasure! He smiled to himself, who doesn't like treasure! So this week he thought, I have saved up some pay it's time to get equipped for the world and see what's out there. The bell for evening watch went and Bob breathed a sigh of relief. He headed to the guard room and stripped off his uniform . He stopped by the captains office and collected his weeks wages. Tomorrow he would start shopping. He headed home, home he thought more like a hovel. A small cottage next to the wall, only one room with a fireplace at one end and a bed at the other. Still it was his at least. He entered his cottage and went straight to the corner of the house where he found the loose board and moved it. Below the board was a box he opened it, everyday he checked it was still there. Several bags of gold still sat safely in the box. He added this week's bag and closed the lid. He slid it back in the hole and put the board back. He was nervous and excited about tomorrows shopping but the time for Bob the adventurer was coming. He settled down in front of his fire ate some stew and headed off to bed. 

The morning was a chilly one, Bob rubbed his arms to get some warmth into them as he walked through the streets. The morning mist was starting to clear and hopefully it will warm up soon.  He headed to the Armourers, the bell on the door rang as he entered. The room was quite dark and dusty various bits of armour were hung  along the wall. Candles were lit by each one so you could see the armour better. A dwarf was working behind a counter, he looked up  as Bob entered. "Greetings. Welcome to Borids Armour, how can I help you sir?"  Bob smilied "I'm after some armour for an adventurer" 

"An adventurer you say? I used to do a bit of that also. Right then what size is this adventurer?" Borid asked, Bob was confused "No wait it's me I want to be an adventurer" the dwarf looked Bob up and down.  I mean sure he wasn't the biggest man in Shireheath but surely he didn't look that bad. "Ooohh OK I thought you were like a squire or something. What armour would you like?" Bob stopped he hadn't really thought about it, he looked around, so many choices. He spotted a suit of armour that covered him head to toe. "Surely this one would be great for an adventurer" he said. The dwarf snorted a laugh back, "Listen boy you could wear that but you wouldn't be able to walk more than 29 metres without collapsing. Only the mighty Ragnum could wear this. May I offer an alternative. You want protection.... But you need lightness also as you gonna be walking a lot."  Bob nodded along agreeing but his brain started to realise he hadn't fully thought about all the minor details of adventuring it seems.....No he was destined to be an adventurer little things would take care of themselves surely. The dwarf continued." What you need is Scale Mail" he pointed over to another set. Brown leather with layers of metal pieces covering it. " It didn't look as tough as the full suit thought Bob but he decided to trust the dwarf." OK can I try it on? " the dwarf grunted and used a stick to Pull the armour off the display. Bob tried it on, it felt heavy and smelled musty as he pulled it over his head. The dwarf pulled and prodded him and then stood back. "OK what do you think? I know it's a bit big but that can be adjusted" Bob moved his arms around, the dwarf may have been right he couldn't imagine having much movement in that whole suit  of armour. He tapped the armour, it felt hard enough he supposed. The dwarf clearly noticed him doing that and said "It will stop a sword blow or a spear thrust I can't promise it will stop a 

Hydra bite but it should do you"

"What's a Hydra? “ Bob asked, that sounded horrendous!

" What's a Hydra?? Are you sure you want to be an adventurer? Are you sure you are cut out to be one? " the dwarf sounded concerned.  Bob was offended,

"I'll be fine, I held the wall during the battle of Shireheath!" the dwarf nodded, "Well at least you have some experience of fighting then but its your gold so who am I to say what you can and can't do. So do you want it?" Bob thought for a second, "Yes I think I will" No one could sway him from his destiny. The dwarf scratched his beard, "Well then young man that will be 80 gold pieces. I'll need a few days to make adjustments" Bob was ready for this he knew the armour wasn't worth 80 gold. "I was thinking more 60 gold pieces?" the Dwarf laughed "ha ha you have some wit after all i can't do 60 are you crazy 75 gold pieces. I can't go lower than that" Bob felt a rush of adrenaline, he'd never haggled over so much gold before he felt like some kind of Lord. "75 is still a bit steep. How about we meet at 70?" the dwarf looked deep in thought. He spat in his hand and said "Aye! 70 good it is" Bob hesitantly shook the dwarfs hand, the dwarfs spittle felt disgusting against his hand. He then tried to wipe his hand without the dwarf seeing. Best get used to this type of dealing Bob thought now he's an adventurer..... Yes he liked the sound of that Adveeeennnntuuurr "oi laddy! Where's me gold" Bob jumped flicking out of his trance. He counted out carefully the 70 gold pieces. The dwarf watched and then took the money. "Be ready in a few days." he scrawled something on a piece of parchment and handed it to Bob. He then took the armour and went into a room behind the counter. Bob walked out. This was the first step he thought a smile crept across his mouth. Next week he would be off adventuring and finding treasure. Right next shop, he had a skip in his step now the day seemed brighter. This was much more interesting than guard duty. He headed to the blacksmith for a weapon. He rubbed his hands with glee, drawing a few strange looks from people passing by. The black Smith a tall chubby man covered in sweat and soot working at his forge next to the shop. The Smith hammered a glowing orange sword blade repeatedly in a memorising rhythm. This was all so new to Bob yeah he had seen a smtih working before but never this close. Without looking up the blacksmith suddenly spoke in a deep sharp voice

"Are you gonna stand there all day mate? Can I help you?"

"Yes good sir! I am in need of a weapon suitable for adventuring." Bob tried to sound as confident as possible. The blacksmith put the glowing sword into a bucket of water which hissed ferociously as the metal cooled. He wiped his face with a rag, Bob was fairly sure that the rag was dirtier than the man's face but stayed quiet. "Come on then" they walked into the blacksmiths. Weapons lined the walls, glaives, halberds, axes, swords and things Bob had no idea what they were. There was also a box with a glass top. Bob peered in and saw the most beautiful sword. A long silver blade with dragons intricately carved I to the metal. A red Ruby sat just above the hilt. The hilt was gold with leather wraps around the hilt. It was glorious and fit for an adventurer. "How much is this one?" Bob asked the black Smith. "let's just say its a bit out of your league" he tapped the box, "Right what can I do you for you? Home defense? Personal defense?" Bob stared at the racks so many cool choices he could see himself fighting monsters with all manner of weapons but he had to be sensible. He was a city guard so was trained in spear and sword. One of those would be the sensible option maybe both. 

"Erm I'm after some weapons for adventuring." Bob replied.

"OK what's your preference morning star, halberd?" the Smith moved to the racks and started looking. Bob moved up to be next to him,

"Well I am on the city guard so I think a sword and a spear would be the best option."

"Guard hmm. Giving it up for the big life are we. Off to explore Kiffelhiem and beyond! Well taking what you know is the best bet. Good lad." Bob liked this man's optimism!! The Smith looked him up and down. He then picked out 2 long swords. One looked quite battered and plain to be honest Bob thought. The other had a basic blade but an intricate design on the hilt. Flowing lines up from the pommel to each side of the hilt. Bob tried each one in his hand, thankfully the sword he liked felt the best in his hand. Bob passed them back, "I'll take that one please" he said indicating the sword with the nice hilt. "Good choice. This has some slain goblins in its future I can see. Are you thinking spear. Honestly I would leave it you will have to carry all this weight on your adventures. Now why am I doing myself out of a sale I hear you think but I'm thinking shield. Nobody wants to get hit with dragon fire or poison spat in their face" Bob tried to keep a calm face, dragon fire?? What the hell spits poison in your face?? No destiny Bob remember destiny! "That.. That sounds a good idea" he stumbled the words out but the Smith just smiled. They looked at the shields and Bob picked out a solid looking wooden circle shield with a metal boss in the middle. The Smith nodded with approval. After a lengthy haggle Bob left the Blacksmiths with his new shield, sword and full of confidence thanks to the jovial nature of the Smith.

The Smith watched Bob go, his wife came out and stood next to him "Whose that?" she asked, "A young fool off to get himself killed on an adventure" he replied in a serious voice "Did you get some gold off him?" his wife asked the blacksmith turned and smiled. "Of course I did! Don't want him to be weighed down by that gold do we now" they both laughed and went back into the forge.

Bob finished his day at the General store picking up a pack and general bits and bobs an adventurer needs. Now he was out of his saved gold. Just one more week of guarding and then his adventure begins!