'I said this was a dark and dreary place, but look at those two in the corner. They seem to be colourful characters, and do not fit in with the rest of the assemblage. Let us see what has gotten them so worked up, shall we?'1/1
1.2) Speak toTheodore Gorse (Show dialog)
'Hello there! Can I help you with something? Unless... you must have heard my name and desired to hear more of my exploits? It is always a pleasure to speak with admirers! I was just telling Haley here of some of my greatest finds, and she was held in rapt attention, as no doubt you would be as well!'
A quick glance at Haley Meadowsweet proves that this may not have been entirely the case.
'Yes, I am the great Theodore Gorse, Master Treasure Seeker and wanderer of the wild lands. If there is treasure to be found in the hidden places of this world, I have already been there and found it. My deeds are extensive and well-documented, and my virtues similarly well-known. I am so accomplished in this field that only one thing remains for me: to retire.'1/1
1.3) Speak toHaley Meadowsweet (Show dialog)
'Theodore claims to be a Master Treasure Seeker, and will do so at great length to anyone who will listen. Sadly, that appears to be me for the moment.
'Anyone can claim to be a great seeker of treasure. In point of fact, anyone can do the seeking! It is the finding that separates those with actual accomplishments from the pretenders!'1/1
2 Speak toBingo Boffin (Show dialog)
'Theodore is a Master Treasure Seeker? That sounds very exciting, and could make for a promising entry in the account of my adventure.
'Player, I have had a great idea! Will you ask if Theodore will train me how to be a Treasure Seeker? It has occurred to me that so far much of my manuscript involves spending time in taverns, and becoming a Treasure Seeker will get us out into the wild lands!
'It will make for better reading, that is for certain! Will you please ask him?'1/1
3 Speak toTheodore Gorse (Show dialog)
'What's that? Your hobbit-friend wants to become a Treasure Seeker? I would love to teach him, but alas, it is not something that can be easily taught! If he does not have the natural proclivity for such adventures, he will be resistant to any training I might give to him. Also, I am about to retire, and intend to spend my time regaling Haley here with tales of my interesting and eventful life. So I would appreciate being left alone to do so!'
Theodore thinks for a moment, and then speaks apologetically.
'I do not mean to be so brusque. Here, take this riddle. It is apparently a clue to a treasure somewhere in the Lone-lands, a treasure I never found. If the two of you can solve this riddle and find the treasure, perhaps I will be able to teach the both of you something after all. Good luck to you, and good-bye!'1/1
4 Use itemPut Theodore's Riddle in Strongbox1/1
4 Use itemTheodore's Riddle1/1
5 Hand inCryptic Message to Theodore Gorse1/1
6 Speak toBingo Boffin (Show dialog)
'You say there was no treasure in that strongbox, Player, but I think you are not quite correct on that score. I think you gave Theodore the best treasure of all: a reason to keep going! Now he is excited about his profession once again, and does not need to spend his days reliving the adventures of his youth... he can have all-new adventures! Perhaps his will intersect with ours for a time, too. There is still a treasure out there, after all!'
Next week: 'Goose and Gander' (Recommended Level: 28)1/1