The wind howled through the streets of Whimborne, Ward Alexander walked towards the large wooden billboard that crowned the main plaza.
From his bag, he produced a scroll of paper, which he stuck on the billboard with the help of some nails.
"Soon" he said, his breath forming a small cloud in front of him.
Ward's family had been struck with bad luck after his mother passed, his father had gotten sick and they had sunk every last penny into getting him better, all for nothing, for he had died almost twenty years ago.
He was determined to make his fortune back, but the trading business hadn't exactly gotten him anywhere, he had started looking for other ways of gaining wealth.
He used what money he had earned with his trades to buy swordsmanship manuals and now sported a double-bladed weapon with a buckler by his side; he was not the best, but he could hold his own.
The plan was simple, he would hang the sign, and hope for some adventurers to join him, then he would follow in the steps of many and embark into the grand unknown to return with loads of riches and loot. Or so he hoped.
He awoke the next day with high hopes, almost forgetting to lock his inn room as he left for the bar. Joe's bar was just one block south of the inn, a simple place, but well known both in and outside the town, he hoped at least a couple people showed up.
He set up in the table next to the entrance, laying out all the contacts he was allowed as well as a bottle of ink and a jar of water.
It was around midday when the first person showed up, a farmer, judging by his clothes and hay hat, he walked straight towards his table and exclaimed.
"I wish to join your adventuring company" he spoke like someone who had been on the farm since before they were born, yet he seemed in good shape.
"Got any weapon skills?" Ward asked.
"I held my farm against ten goblins the other day, my scythe is a sharp as a sword" He replied, prideful.
"Okay, any other abilities? Armor? Magic?"
"I own a stable, I don't exactly need anything other than strong arms"
"A stable you say?" Ward said, "do you think we could ever borrow some horses if they are needed?"
"No problem, as long as I receive some extra compensation" the man answered very seriously.
"All right then" said the old man, "sign here and welcome aboard, come back here in the morning"
The man signed and left the bar, he now had one adventurer, only one more and he would be able to sign up for a permit.
An hour passed, then another, just as he was losing hope, another figure stepped inside, covered in a cloak.
It floated towards his table, Ward just now noticing that the figure was of short stature.
"I desire to join thee" the figure said in an obviously forced low voice.
"Who are you" He asked.
"I am Idam, I've been cursed and trapped within this human body" the voice replied, still forcing the tone.
"Show me your face" said Ward, his skepticism growing by the second.
The figure reluctantly raised their hood, revealing a boy, around 16 by the look, he had brown hair and matching eyes, his face was covered in zits.
He was unable to contain a laugh as his suspicions were confirmed.
"Beat it, kid" he told the boy "go back to your parents"
This enraged the kid, who punched the table before shouting "I'm serious you senile idiot!"
"Yeah sure" He replied "you're a dragon, mind giving any proof?"
The boy looked even more annoyed, two fine lines of smoke emanated from his nose; he opened his mouth and pointed at his tongue.
"See! Tis silver!" He said, exasperated.
"That can just be paint" Ward said, making the kid even angrier "let's see here's a deal, go convince..." he looked around the bar and spotted a pair of figures walking outside "those two over there to join me, then I'll believe you"
"Fvck thee" the kid answered before running outside again.
"A dragon, that's a good one" he thought.
He got up and walked to the bar, nothing like a good beer to wash away faliure, more people will come tomorrow, probably.
After getting his tankard full he turned around to a shocking image, three people stood in front of his recruiting table, Idam, with a smug look on his face, a large, gray-haired man wearing ragged clothes and another cloaked figure.
"No way" he thought as he walked towards them.
"I am Helgir, and this is Cassia" the large man said, gesturing to the cloaked figure "we'd like to join your party"
The man had a lot of facial hair, the same gray color as his mane.
"You got any skills?" He asked.
"I can fight" the man said in a hoarse voice.
"With a weapon or...?"
The man responded by baring his teeth, two large razor-sharp canines peeked behind his lips, a werewolf.
"Oh, you're a-" he started, before being interrupted by the cloaked figure.
"Lycanthrope, yes, and I'm his drug dealer-er personal caretaker" the voice was female, and the breath reeked of alcohol.
"So you would both like to join me because?..." He asked.
"The kid said- hic, that there was gold involved?" The woman answered.
"Yes, there is" he answered "but not right now, we'll have to complete a tour first"
"It's no problem" interrupted the werewolf.
Ward, grabbed two more papers from his pile and dipped the quill in the ink, this had gone much faster than he had expected.
"Ey! ye said I could join if I convinced these two" said Idam.
Ward sighed, "I guess I did" He added grabbing another contract.
