At the adventurers' guild, Necky, Galf, and Graham stood before a motley group of twenty adventurers. It was an interesting sight: from wide-eyed novices full of enthusiasm to scarred veterans who looked like they'd survived a dragon... or a really bad relationship. Some adjusted their swords, others sharpened daggers or checked their bows. The entire place exuded a mix of camaraderie and the smell of sweaty leather.
Necky crossed her arms and sighed. "Alright, listen up, everyone. Goblins are nocturnal, meaning their activity is minimal at dawn. If we want this raid to be efficient and less problematic, we should attack at dawn, while they're fast asleep."
A murmur of agreement ran through the group... until Graham, from her sheath, interrupted with her usual fervor.
"DAAAWN?!" Her demonic eye glowed with indignation. "ATTACKING SLEEPING ENEMIES?! THAT IS AN UNACCEPTABLE DISHONOR! A WARRIOR MUST FACE THEIR OPPONENT WITH HONOR AND VALOR, FACE TO FACE, IN SINGLE COMBAT!"
Necky stepped forward and hit Graham's sheath. "Shut up, do you want to ruin everything? We're not writing an epic poem. It's a logical strategy."
But Graham wasn't going to let logic win over epic. Her voice boomed through the hall. "COMPANIONS! WHAT IS A HERO WITHOUT A WORTHY FIGHT?! ATTACKING GOBLINS WHILE THEY SLEEP? NO! WE SHALL MARCH BENEATH THE GLOW OF THE STARS AND DEFEAT THE VILE WRETCHES IN AN EPIC COMBAT! THEY WILL SING OF THIS NIGHT IN THE TAVERNS!"
The crowd, thrilled by Graham's vehemence, began to cheer. Even Galf, who was trying to adjust the new sword, got carried away. "Yes! That sounds great!"
Galf began lighting torches alongside the other adventurers, a wide smile spreading across his face as the fire illuminated the room. It was impossible not to be swept up in the enthusiasm.
Necky put a hand to her face and murmured. "Why am I surrounded by idiots? They seem to have ordered themselves by idiocy, and thanks to you, infamous sword, I'm at the front!" She stifled a shriek of terror.
The guild administrator, observing the scene, nodded solemnly, clearly inspired. "That is the bravery that defines the adventurers of the City of Beginning! Advance, brave warriors, and bring honor to this guild!"
"Yeah, sure," Necky muttered, rolling her eyes as she adjusted Graham on her shoulder. "Honor, or what's left of us after this stupidity."
The group left the guild in a column, torches in hand and singing improvised battle songs at the top of their lungs as they marched. Graham, carried at the front by Necky, shouted orders like a seasoned general.
"ALIGN! MAINTAIN PACE! LET THE TORCHES ILLUMINATE OUR GLORY THROUGHOUT THE REALM!"
"Silence, talking junk!" Necky growled, visibly nervous. "They'll hear us from the other side of the kingdom."
Graham ignored her and continued. "TONIGHT, THE GOBLINS WILL KNOW THE FURY OF THE ADVENTURERS!"
Meanwhile, Galf, excited by the atmosphere, marched among the crowd, feeling for the first time part of something bigger than himself. "Come on, guys, for the guild!"
Necky let out a moan of despair. "I'm going to die. This time, I'm really going to die." She was at the front of the column, but her body trembled with terror.