Old Memories, Fresh Hells

I’m not too old for this. Elric thought as he packed his worn knapsack. His adventuring gear had been gathering dust in the corners of the room. That mirror had saved him from the vampires masquerade. Those candles had helped time the traps in Forever Deep Dungeon. These regular pieces of chalk had unraveled the secrets of the mad alchemists maze. And that painting…

He sighed as his gaze landed upon this well loved painting from all those days ago. This day his wife, Athona, had painted so they would always remember. To remember how proud they were of their son. “Ten years old and already growing a beard. Remarkable.” Elric chuckled softly to himself. Even from a young age Finley had wanted to be an adventurer, just like his parents. “We should have prepared you better for the world.” Elric put down the painting and composed himself as he put on his pack, the time for mourning had long passed.

Elric muttered a soft prayer to Helm, to keep him and his loved ones safe in these trying times. He heard shouting from down the hall, dwarven curses let loose and sounds of goblets shattering. This would be all as normal if not for the lack of usual merriment. Let the other dwarves bicker amongst themselves. This was not the time to fight amongst themselves. The gods had gone silent these past years, the dragons were causing chaos where they nested, the world as he had known it was tilted. This is the time to unite, this is the time for old heroes to don their armor, this is the time to heal the world of her pain. It’s time for Elric Stonebreaker to go back into the field!