The road beyond Arlen's village was rough and winding, but every step filled him with anticipation. Days passed as he traveled through dense forests and rolling hills, his copper badge hidden beneath his cloak and his senses sharpened by the promise of new experiences. When the spires and stone walls of a bustling town finally rose on the horizon, Arlen felt a surge of excitement.
The town—Rivenford—was much larger than his home village, with wide thoroughfares teeming with people, merchants hawking exotic wares, and adventurers of every rank and color. Guards in polished armor watched the gates, but let Arlen pass after a routine check, their eyes lingering only briefly on his worn traveler's gear.
Inside, the air buzzed with opportunity. Arlen marveled at the towering buildings, the vibrant market stalls, the clang of smithies, and the laughter spilling from taverns. He navigated the busy streets, absorbing the rhythm and culture of the place, and quickly located the local Adventurer's Guild—an imposing stone hall draped with banners.
Inside the guild, Arlen registered his presence and checked the quest boards. Unlike his village, Rivenford's guild offered a dizzying array of jobs: escort missions, monster hunts, artifact retrieval, and more. He was careful to choose tasks within his rank, but the promise of greater knowledge and challenge beckoned.
That evening, Arlen found a modest inn and settled into a small room. As he gazed out at the lantern-lit streets, he thought of the countless stories beginning and ending in Rivenford. Here, he would hone his skills, learn from seasoned adventurers, and perhaps, start to shape his place in this new world.
The journey had brought him far from the ashes of his old life. Now, in a town alive with possibility, Arlen's adventure truly began anew.