A village merchant has told the adventurer who saved his family, home and entire business that he can never repay the debt, before requesting forty gold for a healing potion. “We owe you everything,” said Grumple, proprietor of Everindale General Goods. “Forty gold, please.”
The adventurer had returned from defeating the bandits with damaged armour and barely enough health to reach the counter. Grumple confirmed that, without the rescue, his shop would have burned down and there would have been nobody left to purchase anything. He described the hero’s contribution as priceless. The potion was not.
Asked whether there might be a discount, Grumple explained that the price had already been set before the bandits arrived and he did not see why events outside the shop should affect it. “You saved my daughter,” he added, warmly. “She does the stocktaking.”
The village has otherwise spared no effort in expressing its appreciation. The adventurer has received an honorary title, a small wooden medal and permission to hear the same grateful sentence from every resident for the remainder of the game. None of these can be exchanged for arrows.
Grumple did offer to buy the enchanted sword recovered from the bandit leader for six gold. Beside the till, a perfectly respectable steel sword with a slightly nicer handle was priced at one million. Asked about the difference, he explained that he had to consider the risks of running a business.
The adventurer subsequently sold enough equipment to afford the potion used to recover from saving Grumple’s business. “There is no reward great enough for what you have done,” the merchant said, carefully counting the payment.
Before leaving, the hero asked whether the village might at least provide somewhere to rest. Grumple directed them to his brother’s inn. He said to mention his name. “He’ll tell you how grateful we are.”
