Teaser

[Computer +1]

Why did I ever leave home?

Throwing up into a bucket in the hold of a lumbering ship you can't help but ask yourself the same question over and over. Why did I ever leave home? Life before was tough, no doubt, and the call to adventure was just too much to resist. Fame, fortune and glory! Dreams of the man you wished to become echoed in your head as you thought about the day you'd be old enough to set out on your own.

Fame, fortune and glory!

When your local noble put out a call for able bodied men you didn't hesitate. You called out your name and proudly stood in line. You were made for more than a mundane life, yours was a call to ADVENTURE!!! Your Mamma begged you not to go but you didn't listen. Your Pa mumbled a bit of something as you walked out with the others. You brothers and sisters looked on with snot running down their faces. You were ready, glory would be yours!

Fame, fortune and glory...... more like mud and blood and pain. You were given a wooden spear and a rough tunic as armor. You were taught to stand in a line and look menacing. The grizzled sergeant yelled in your faces as you learned to walk in a group and line up like real soldiers. Everyone around you talked a big game and about how brave they would be when a fight came your way.

You pissed yourself at the first battle and cried with relief when you woke up alive. You quickly learned that the brave and the bold quickly became the dead and the dust. All it took was one good look at the force of professional soldiers you all faced and half your brave comrades ran. The sergant did his best to hold the group together but it was too late, farmers ran back to their farm as fast as their feet could carry them. You aren't sure exactly how you made it out alive at all, you got hit on the side of the head early on and missed what happened.

You were prodded awake and offered a choice, sign up or die. One of the mercenary groups had spaces to fill and you were still breathing. You vaguely remember your ears still ringing as you scratched your mark into a book of names before being herded into a group and marched away. After what seemed like forever you arrived at a large port. Marched up a gangplank, stuffed below decks with complete strangers, you are underway to an unknown destination and wonder if you'll ever see home again.

As you wipe the bile from the side of your mouth and look around you wonder, maybe this time it would be different. Maybe, just maybe, if you can manage to stay alive you could find a few coin and make something worthwhile of yourself. Maybe you could even be happy.... maybe you could even be a real hero...

Then again maybe not.

Why did I ever leave home?