I’ve had a week to spend on my special project, and I think it’s coming along quite nicely. I met a lovely lady named Odelina and an adorable halfling named Heemi, who have since moved into Everslade across the road from me. Everslade is a beaten-up town that has been abandoned for quite some time. Ash has had a clinic here, but that’s all the traffic this place ever got until today.
After I had my talk with Firithain, I went to the town hall in Bree. Got some odd looks. I’m not the type people expect to be handling legitimate business. But I spoke to them, and I bought out a significant plot of land in Everslade for a reasonable price, as all of the properties I described had been abandoned for some time. I then put out a job ad for anyone willing to assist with the rebuilding of the neighborhood.
In the past week, the people I hired have restored no less than seven houses, and are moving along quite well.
Yesterday, I met Heemi in the Pony to see why she hadn’t really moved in yet. Apparently, she is an exceptionally tall halfling and thus does not quite fit on most Halfling beds. I sent a letter to Firithain, asking him to help out.
Literally ran into a gentleman named Dryn on the way out, and he offered to help fix things up, as well as serve as a bodyguard if necessary. I was more than happy to accept, as he seemed like a nice gentleman.
On the way to Everslade, we encountered a maniac Ranger who was chasing a chicken. I think he was yelling something along the lines of “Come back here, dinner.” Which was why I threw a knife at the chicken’s throat, killing it. Unfortunately the sudden death of the Chicken was quite startling to poor Heemi, who passed out on the road. I don’t remember what I said, shocked as I was at her collapse. I think it was “Well, Shite, man.” Through the entire evening, the man never once gave me his name, so I simply called him Shite. I found it amusing, and he found it…flattering? A total lunatic, I’m sure.
I took the chicken and made sure he carried Heemi back to Everslade with us. She woke up halfway there and freaked out. It was absolutely hilarious.
“He could be a notorious criminal!” She said. “A chicken-napper or abductor or something!” I smiled and looked down at the hobbit, trying not to show her how amused I was.
“Heemi, do you trust me?” I asked. “Because I can promise you, I’m likely the most notorious criminal of all of us.” Everyone thought I was kidding.
After we got back to Everslade, we ran into two more Rangers, who apparently didn’t even know Shite. Ended up moving the party to my house. Aeruthuil showed up like he owned the place. I almost killed him on the steps. Fortunately Ash woke up around that time. I was showing her my house the night before, and she didn’t feel like she could make it back down the hill, so she stayed. As I was helping her out of bed, everyone ran outside, and Odelina showed up around that time…
It was a great feeling, having so many people over, and to not have them treat me with hostility and suspicion. It made me feel… like I’m doing something right.
Today, I continued what I’ve started. Hamadryt and another lady moved in nearby. Firithain delivered Heemi’s bed, I need to make sure it stays dry until I can get it into her house.
I went to Ash’s, to find that she had a new patient. Her name was Rhody and she had been beaten to near-death by bandits. I uh… I kinda snapped, once I found out what happened.
I’ve tried. I’ve really tried to turn over a new leaf. Less deaths, no mass slaughter, only take what I need and give the rest back. But that shite just set me off. I walked out, took Ash’s horse, rode to where the mugging happened…. I think I must have killed dozens, before Kallynn showed up. I covered her as she took down the leader, and we rode home triumphantly. I told Rhody she could let me know if she needed anything at all. She told me I stank. There’s gratitude for ya.
All in all, I think this new start is going well.
P.S. That's not really fair. The poor lady was very diplomatic about my smell.
