Conner looks at his own face reflected in the glass of water that was graciously provided to him. It stretches and warps as the glass curves making his already large brown eyes look even more silly.
“It’s shocking. I know,” the wizened man sitting across from him says. “Don’t worry. It’ll all seem normal in a few days. That’s why I’m here—to make sure you acclimate alright. Just ask me if you need anything.”
Gulping down the water, Conner looks at the smiling man and nods. “T-Thanks.”
“Like I said, just head down to Bance’ Brilliant Beers. Bance is a gruff but kind man. We have an arrangement with him and he’ll put you up until you figure out your next move.”
“I guess…” Conner trails off, “I’ll do that.”
The man nods once and strokes his beard. “You said that you were out walking and came upon our city randomly?”
“That’s correct.”
“That is the way here. Errantsville only presents itself to those who need it. Don’t worry. You’ll see what I mean soon enough.
Standing and picking up his rucksack and walking stick, Conner feels safer with their familiar weight. “Thank you again.”
The man waves his hand. “Turn left when you exit and walk a few blocks. Trust me, you can’t miss Bance’s place.”
***
Exiting the Errantsville Welcoming Committee building, Conner marvels at the energy the city possesses even as the sun is beginning to set. An elf jostles him as he passes and doesn’t even hesitate before disappearing into a crowd comprised of all manner of beings. Turning left and beginning to walk, Conner meanders his way through the crowd feeling vaguely nauseous but also excited.
Hours ago, he had been walking down the road, wondering where he was going to go after making up his mind to leave his home and its stringent magical rules. Then, after an unfortunate encounter with a squirrel and a mad dash through the trees, he stumbled out of the forest at the entrance to Errantsville. The trees grew right up to the edge of the city and then hesitated, almost as if magically repelled. He was gawking at the gates to the city when the man from the welcoming committee sidled up, took him by the arm, and then led Conner to the room and explained everything.
Errantsville, it seemed, was a city found by people who needed it. A magical place that could only be accessed by those who already knew where it lay, or, by those the city called to. Conner, apparently, was one of those people.
Grabbing his backpack and readjusting how it lay on his shoulders, he smiles. There are so many sights and smells and despite the crookedness of the buildings there is a quaint charm to this place. Anyone else, he knows, from his hometown would have left immediately. All of this unregulated magic would give even the strongest members of his family an aneurysm. But to him, the air is absolutely alive with magical vibrations. It feels like possibility and danger and that’s all a young man can ask for. The chance to reach out and make something for himself.
***
Covering his eyes, Conner tries to read the sign in front of him. He thinks that he can make out a cursive B but the glare from the high gloss paint is blinding.
“Trust me, you can’t miss Bance’s place,” Conner remembers the welcoming comittee man saying.
Just as he is about to step forward into the building’s merciful shade to escape the paint’s sheen, someone throws open the door which clatters against its frame and caught by a man before it can close all the way once again. He stands, leaning half out of the door, and asks, “Well? Are you coming in?”
Stepping forward, Conner takes in the appearance of this new person. First noticing his apron with the word, “Bance,” scrawled across it. Then the man’s prodigiously sized biceps, ill advised goatee, and finally his bandanna. There is something stern yet kindly about the way he is looking at Conner and before Conner can reply, the man grab him and ushers him into the building.
“Don’t look at the outside for too long or you’ll be seeing stars for days.”
“It is a bit like looking at the sun for too long,” Conner agrees.
“I’m Bance by the way and this is my bar.” Guiding Conner into a seat, Bance walks around the bar and stares at him.
The space is cozy in a handmade, timeworn sort of way. Behind the counter, large barrels wait for someone to order a drink. A long bar stretches from near the door to about halfway across the space before opening up into a large seating area, complete with a stage and dancing space. A staircase lurks in the corner curling up and around itself before disappearing into the darkness.
“I’m Conner.”
“Well Conner, welcome to Errantsville. I bet the committee sent you. I’ve got some good and bad news. The good news is that you’ve found your way to the most exciting city in the world. The bad news is that I’d usually have a room for you but we’re all booked up. A lot of wanderers similar to yourself have been showing up lately. The only rooms we have left I usually rent out for a fairly hefty price.”
“Oh…” is all Conner can think to say.
Bance turns away and pours a drink. Sliding it across to Conner, he winks. “Not to worry kid. I have a plan. You look strong enough even if you do seem to be more on the academic side.” Eyeing up Conner’s walking stick Bance nods as if thinking, It’ll do. “ I’m guessing you don’t have much money.”
“That’s correct.”
“And that’s okay. Turns out I have a job that needs doing and if you do it for me I’ll count that as payment for the room and food.”
Conner hesitates. Back home there is a saying: The gift that’s given on the cheap often comes back to bite those who are in too deep.
Noticing the hesitation, Bance grins. “It’s not a hard job, but it’s not exactly safe either. It’s up to you if you want to do it.”
“What is it?”
Leaning over and grunting. Bance pulls open a trapdoor behind the counter. The hinges groan and finally flip open which sends a cloud of dust floating into the air. Motioning for Conner to come around the counter, Bance points.
“It seems I have a bit of a spider infestation down there. If you take care of them for me we’ll be even.”
Gazing down into the basement, wide-eyed and a little disgusted by the amount of cobwebs, Conner feels the familiar stirrings of curiosity in his chest. The steep stairs descend into a wine cellar that at one time must have been quite nice. “Well-” Bance begins, but stops as a spider the size of a small dog walks into sight and gazes up at them.
Looking at its hairy legs Conner can’t help but wonder if it is soft and this leads him to wonder if they could be domesticated. Letting out a shrill squeal, the spider jolts Conner from his thoughts and begins to climb the stairs but Bance slams the door in its face.
Turning and clapping his hands Bance clears his throat. “Well, as I was saying, what do you think?”
“How many are there?” Conner replies with a tremor in his voice.
“Not many I think. They show up from time to time. Once we kill them off they usually stay gone for a while.”
“And where do they come from?”
“Your guess is as good as mine. If you can figure that out I’ll throw a bonus in.”
Looking out the window, the sun is almost fully set and despite the thrill of the city Conner doesn’t want to be looking for lodgings in the dark. At least here he knows what he’s fighting against. Sighing, he agrees and Bance claps him on the back.
“Just squash em with your walking stick. Try to keep your back against the wall so they can’t sneak up on you and you’ll be fine. I’ll have to close the trapdoor while you’re down there because we’re getting ready for the evening rush but when you want out just bang on the door.”
Staring at the door, Conner doesn’t say anything.
“Cheer up kid. This is what Errantsville is all about—seizing opportunity. You’ll figure out why you’re here.”
Since my other post of the finished and slightly upgraded gaming table got such a huge response, i decided to post pictures of the full build. For those who are wondering, there really are no plans for the table, we had a general idea of how we wanted the table to turn out, but we made most of the decisions on it the day we built it.
