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Artwork © Peter Balogh |
Adventure has forever been a distant thought for one like you. You are not
a Warrior. You are not a Wizard. You are simply a young lad working at the
stables in Port Blacksand, under the care of your guardian, the stableman.
A kind and goodly fellow, the stableman has looked after you for more than
a decade, teaching you to ride and take care of horses. You have worked
hard, receiving only meagre wages for your exhausting duties. But you have
no complaint, for the stableman, himself, is scratching a living.
Nonetheless, you are still well fed and allowed to stay in a small living
area above the stables, which is ultimately better than the grubby inns
Blacksand can offer.
Best of all, the stables overlook a training ground.
Some time ago, a sergeant of the despicable City Guard deemed it
necessary to train and discipline Lord Azzur's troops. The idea didn't get
very far, of course. Most of the soldiers merely lazed around or sat
yawning with boredom till each session was over. The sergeant left the
city without ever knowing of his greatest pupil.
From a young age, you have dreamt of an adventurous life in the outside
world but felt too unprepared. In the time you had to spare, you would
constantly spy on the training ground from your window upstairs when a
session was in progress. You watched, learned then practiced the art of
swordplay and combat manoeuvres in the confines of your room.
Years passed. Now, growing into adulthood, you find that your arduous work
has built up your strength and confidence. What's more, you require less
sleep to regain energy, and that means more hours to continue your
self-training. Soon you will be ready to join the world's heroes on a path
of adventure.
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