I have to admit, it isn't easy being out here all alone. I have been before, long ago, but those memories are just hazy sensations of pain and fear, a sensation which a human, a stranger at the time, had saved me from. I was barely able to walk and bloodied all over, but the moment that the tall, armored man had seen me, he dropped his sword, ran over and cradled me in his strong arms. I wanted to run, expecting some sort of attack, as threats and danger were all that I had ever known, but instead I found myself flooded with warmth as my many wounds of both body and heart seemed to simply fade away. So far as I could remember, that was the first time that anyone had ever helped me, and I was immediately eager to return the favor.
Once he had confirmed that I would be alright, he looked about in confusion, searching for something. Perhaps even back then I had an innate understanding of his true desires, a deep, spiritual connection with this human who I had just met. Then again, maybe I was just running towards the shiny thing. For whatever reason I rushed over to his sword, grabbed it in my teeth, pulled it from the earth, and brought it back to him. Dogs don't laugh, of course, and I was unfamiliar with the sound, but it still felt wonderful in my ears, and even more wonderful was the feeling of his hand scratching my ear. He called me his 'squire', a word which, to this day, I still don't understand the meaning of, yet am always eager to hear. I always will be eager to hear it, and am certain I will hear it again, someday.
The outside was still a scary place. Really scary, but I could handle it so long as he was by my side. And now, he's not. No, no time for negativity. I've defeated the portal guardian and have a mission to accomplish. There will be plenty of time to be scared later. For now, there are people who need my help!
I go to the nearest one, because why not. I have no way of judging just how urgent the problems of the individual humans are, but I fully intend to get to all of them in time. I can only pray that none or their situations are so dire that the people will drop dead before I can get to them. No sense worrying or hesitating about that. The sooner that I begin, the sooner I can save each and every one!
The human is scruffy and tired looking, sitting atop a fencepost, wearing a plain tunic which pretty much matches his seat in both color and texture. A tall wooden barrel stands next to him.
"I'm building a house, and need some bricks. Please bring me three of them." he says.
One nice thing about these town dwelling humans is that they don't tend to talk to people, rather they talk at them. Otherwise, communication might prove to be a significant hurdle.
--- New Quest obtained, "Another Brick in the Wall!" Gather 3 Brick(s)! ---
I'm a little relieved that it doesn't sound too urgent. It would be awfully stressful to have a mans life in my paws on my first quest! Still, it's nothing to scoff at. I don't know much about houses, aside from the fact that they're both comfortable and really big. If it's too great a task for this human to handle on his own, it is my duty, nay, my privilege to come to his aid! Now, where would I find these bricks...
I can't help but frown just a little when I look slightly to the mans right to see a massive pile of carved, red stones. Are those the bricks? Hmmm, I don't see any others around. Why can't he just get them himself? No, no sense asking such questions. Surely, the man has his reasons, and if he is in need of aid, it is my duty to give it. If anything, the fact that I can so effortlessly help him out is a positive thing, right? Still, it does feel a little unexciting. Oh well, no matter.
I imagine that this would be much easier for a human with hands. Why, I'll bet my master is strong enough to carry all three, maybe even more at once! I have to go one at a time, however, but thankfully they are small enough that I can hold each one in my mouth. I don't exactly know how many 'three' is, but the quest info is thankfully very helpful, counting down as I drop each one at his feet.
"Thank you, little one!" the human smiles. "Now, at last I can build my house!"
--- Quest completed! 50 Experience Point(s)! 10 Gold(s)! Beginners Sword! ---
Yay! More numbers! And that isn't the best part, either. The best part is what came after.
Pets are a sacred thing. Not the sort of pets you own, of course, rather the pets that you get on your fur. Whether on head, neck, back or anywhere else, they feel wonderful, and can soothe the hearts of those who offer them. They might not change the world or anything, but it's a net positive all around and it requires so little. It's even better, however, when it feels properly earned for a job well done. I smile, head raised, tail thumping against the ground excitedly at he strokes my soft fur. This man might not be quite as good at it as my master, but he's no slouch, either! I've never encountered a human who was bad at them, now that I think about it. I guess humans are just talented creatures in general. The magical sensation continues for a few precious moments, ones of pride and comfort and genuine peace all around. That's when he reaches into the barrel and retrieves a sword.
I'm rather confused. Was this a reward? It said something about gold, too, but I have nowhere to carry it. I didn't do this for some sort of practical benefit, I did it because he was a person in need! Still, I can't just turn it down, can I? There is joy to be gained from generosity, and wouldn't it be wrong to deprive him of it? Perhaps that's why the bricks were so close. Maybe he simply wished to give others a chance to earn a reward? I'm mildly disappointed, as I really wanted to help someone in urgent need, but that's rather silly, isn't it? Everyone needs a little happiness, right? And if I can give it, however I can, it's my duty!
Plus, I have to admit, swords are pretty cool. My master always had one at his side, and I always wanted to try one myself...
--- Weapon equiped! Beginner's Sword! ---
Whew, that was rough! I'm lucky that it came with a belt and scabbard, but it was still really tough to get on! It took a while, but not only did I get it to fit around my upper body, I even set it so the handle was within reach of my mouth! I still am not great at unsheathing it, much less putting it back into place, but it does feel nice to have a proper paladin's weapon. Just imagine if I had this while fighting FrontDoor, rather than needing to repeatedly slam my head into it to inflict damage? The fight would have gone so much easier!
It seems that my earlier instincts were correct. It's always worthwhile to help others in need. Had I just run off after my master, unarmed, who knows what might have happened? At the very least, I wouldn't look nearly as impressive.
"I'm building a house, but need some bricks. Please bring me three of them." the man behind me says once again. He's clearly not talking to me, just speaking in general, as people are known to do, in hopes that anyone passing by might listen. Does he need three more bricks? I guess houses are awfully big.
I gather another from a pile, and drop it at his feet. He looks to me with a downright baffled expression, as though he has absolutely no idea what he is expected to do with this. After a few moments of staring at one another, a young woman wearing very little armor and virtually nothing else steps in alongside me, setting three stone bricks down at his feet, who he thanks and offers one of the clearly very many swords from his barrel.
I sheepishly return the brick to the pile. I guess building a house is a communal effort, and it's important that the bricks come from as many people as possible. I see that the exclamation mark over his head has since vanished as well. Perhaps he does still need aid, but doesn't require mine? Fair enough. There are plenty of other people around that do.