Waking up to another day of sheer exertion in your labor intensive apprenticeship as a lumberjack grew on you as an undesirable fate in between one musing and another of what else would you do with life. You remember overhearing from the lumberjacks that a bard is in town, so you go see it.

When you arrive at the tavern with your scant few coins and ask the bartender for some beer you get eyed weirdly by him.

"I came to see the bard."

"The bard is telling his tales over there."

You grab your tankard of beer and go hear his story. Or rather her story. The bard is a beautiful woman that from the shape of her ears must have at least some elf blood running through her veins.

She tells a tale of adventure and glory, a tale of heroes defeating monsters, and you are left with a desire for more.

You give her a few coins then go pester her.

"Is it true that there are people who face monsters and acquire riches?"

"Yes, young lass. It is a dangerous life. You can die at any moment. But high stakes often mean high rewards if you succeed."

"Could I... become an adventurer?"

"How would you kill me right now if you had to?"

"Excuse me?"

She draws a blade and puts it at your neck. You feel intense fear.

"You must be ready to kill anyone at any moment. That is the bare minimum required."

"I-I understand.", you say, as she puts her blade back at its sheath.

"If you're serious about it, meet me tomorrow at the edge of town, by dawn. Bring weapons and supplies. Money, if you have any."

You don't sleep that night. You keep thinking about a life of adventure.

You scrounge up your supplies, take with you a handaxe and a longsword that belonged to one of your ancestors, and head to the outskirts of town.

When you arrive, the bard is already there, playing a tune on her lyre.

"Oh, so you really came. Good. There is good work next village, caravan escorting. They sell some weird kind of plant that only grows on their forests to wizards far east. Lots of thieves in the road, so plenty of money to be made."

"Don't think I will be travelling with you all the way though. My livelihood depends on learning and playing the tales of heroes, so I will stop in every town to sing my songs. As for you, it is probably better you find a job, get paid, and buy better equipment. Without a shield or armor most prospective employees won't take you very seriously as a mercenary."

"The village is two days from here. We will stop to rest when it is dark. Let's move."

You two walk for hours on end.

"Something is wrong here... watch out, an ambush!"

Six goblins jump out from the bushes near the road.

"Your stuff or your life!", says one goblin, with a broken accent.

"Now is your time to shine.", says the bard, drawing a blade and rushing towards the nearest goblin.

What do you do?
> Surrender your stuff and beg for mercy
> Run for your life leaving your partner behind
> Swing your longsword at the nearest goblin
> Sink your handaxe on the nearest goblin
> Write in