Lucia

"How did I get here? Well, thats a long story..." the young woman with the shoulder-length black hair smiles, big blue eyes twinkling.

"I am- wait, was- a medical student at the Neverwinter Academy. Grew up on a farm, nothing special, but I set my first broken bone at 14 when one of the farmhands did something monumentally stupid and well, it seems I have a knack for it. And I like helping people. I moved to the big city when I was old enough - loved it! the big buildings, all those people, smells, things to taste and try, it was amazing - and yes, the academy was wonderful. I was learning so much!" The far away look of happy memories dims, a shadow falling over her face and she shudders.

"But then, well, things happened, dont they, and I didnt end up taking my exams... Been traveling for a while, not stoping long neither here nor there, always looking to help people, always finding things to do, reasons to move on..." Her big expressive eyes refocus, but some of the joy has leaked out of them. "...but you have to keep on trying right? What else would be the point? Dont you think so?"



The bearded man with the imaculate white turban standing behind the counter of the Flourished Hook gives her a pained smile and nods. "Indeed. But what I meant was, 'how did you arrive here, in Port Ffirst'? By ship, or did you come from Daring Heights?"

The young woman looks crestfallen. All her meagre belongings are packed in a small duffle bag with a faded healer's symbol stitched upon it. No weapons, even. You wouldnt call her beautiful, maybe in the right light, but those big expressive eyes seem to have many stories to tell. Maybe not all of them joyful...


"Ah sorry, here I go again. Pardon me for taking your time. Yes, by ship. I saw the sign outside and thought you may have rooms for rent? Sure looks nice here."

"It is no bother, we yearn to serve here, at the Flourished Hook. We do have exquisite rooms available for rent, it is 4 gold pieces a week."

She looks down, gingerly shifting the handful of silver in her palm, hoping to find a gold coin among them but knowing better.

"That's... not going to last you very long here."

"I know... is there a cheaper place around where I could ask?" she says, with pleading eyes.

"Well, there is the Cavernous Seashank. Maybe a bit rougher than you are used to..." he thoughtfully strokes his beard before continuing. "You say you want to help people... There is another place, not far to the west of here. It is called Fort Ettin. Cheap accomodation. Very safe. And they are always looking for people willing to help out. Maybe try there?"


She looks back at him, face set, eyes determined. For a moment he thinks he sees something moving...


"Thank you for the tip, I will head out that way. And I will come back when I have made some extra money!"

"Of course, you are always welcome here at the Flourished Hook. My name is Himal by the way. What did you say your name was?"

She half turns for the door but throws him a look over her shoulder, the smile having returned.
"I am Lucia!"