The Magic Lute
Pick Your Peril: The Hero of Mudtown
(This is part of a series of choose-your-own-adventure articles. If you want to start from the beginning, click here. If you want to revisit the previous chapter, click here.)
The lute glitters enchantingly in the light. You already know it works, why wouldn’t you buy it?
You exchange your bag of coins for the spellbinding instrument. The Merchant hands over the lute with a smile.
“Good luck traveler!” He says with a deep bow. “May it bring you fame and fortune!”
You take the instrument to a secluded corner of the tavern, testing out its magical properties. You begin with your favorite songs, perfectly performing an acoustic version of every melody that comes to mind. Your fingers effortlessly dance across the fretboard the moment you put your hands into position, and you spend hours strumming away.
A small audience gathers around you as the day passes by. You begin taking requests, performing every tune named with flawless form. When you decide it’s time to take a break, you get some applause and a couple of people even toss a few gold coins your way. It’s not much, but it’s enough to get a bed for the night.
You didn’t realize how long you had been playing, and exhaustion suddenly sets it. You thank the people surrounding you and venture forth to find a place to sleep. The Innkeeper takes your money for a room. You stagger upstairs and sleep soundly the entire night with the magic lute on the bed next to you.
The next morning you are descending the stairs, lute in hand, when the Innkeeper waves you over.
“Hope you’ve enjoyed your stay.” He says with a smile. “Listen, people really seemed to enjoy your performance yesterday. If you need a place to practice again, you can always use the Stoneville Tavern. My regulars are off performing private gigs now, so there’s no trouble… Please, consider it.”
As you walk off to consider it, a mildly filthy peasant approaches you.
“Good morning to ya.” He offers you a grimy grin. “What I heard last night was downright beautiful! I’ve become a bit of a fan, I was hoping to see if ya’d like to play for me family out in the bog.”
He removes a shabby hat from his head and steps a little closer.
“Me ma is sick, and some music would do a lot to lift her spirits. I wouldn’t be able to pay ya much, but there’s always a place at our table for a talented traveler such as yourself.”
A richly dressed man in blue and white clears his throat to catch your attention.
“I serve the Duke of Mountain Crest, and I was rather impressed with your little demonstration last night.” He steps between you and the peasant. “My lord is in need of a personal bard and would pay you far more handsomely than this rabble.”
The noble throws a disdainful glance over his shoulder.
“Come with me to Mountain Crest and learn what it is like to live among the nobility!”
While the increased demand for your newfound skills is nice, it’s also a little overwhelming. You begin to wonder which of these offers might bring you closer to locating your family.
A place at the Stoneville Tavern could be a good source of rumors and would keep you near the castle. The Innkeeper seems like a nice enough person once you prove your worth.
Helping the man from the bog wouldn’t be very lucrative, but can you really turn your back on a fellow peasant? As poor as they are, the people of the bog might have some useful information to offer.
Getting in the good graces of the Duke of Mountain Crest comes with all kinds of advantages. He could gather enough knights to form a search party or perhaps be able to grant you an audience with the King! The noble doesn’t seem like the most compassionate company, but you’ll never meet the nobility unless you go with him.
What will you do?
- Stay at the tavern
- Go with the peasant
- Go with the noble