Catch 'em all

[Benejeseret]

The forge flares around Dwyn. Thick dwarven sweat rushes down his dreadlocked beard in channels, slothing onto the floor with each stroke of the hammer onto a scalding stone floor.

The young apprentices work hurriedly in the back of the room against the broken stone wall. Each scoops a bucket of water from the small underground stream cut against the corner of the room. In quick precision the lads toss bucket after bucket over Dwyn, his smoldering leather gloves, and his tools.

With a final clang and sizzle Dwyn drops his tools into an awaiting bucket. "That'll be all fer taday Cumbus, reel it back in there."

Now visible within the heart of the forge, the only source red shadowy of light in the chamber, Combus shivers and calms. "Combusssss." The intense heat lessens and the flare of light reduces to a charcoal red simmer over the body of the small elemental. "Combus?"

"Ya, ye deserve tha break, come on now," the dwarf holds out the monster ball and the elemental slips inside for a comfortable rest.


A moment later the apprentices are all abuzz at the arrival of a runner. The youth is out of breath, but passing out flyers to the rest. Dwyn catches one of the papers and reads it over.

A monster festival eh? Would be a nice break ta be outside in a cool breeze fer once. And Combus could use the workout anyway.

Dwyn, his mind made up, kneels and dunks his head right into the stream. The tips of his smoldering beard go out at once. Soaking and steaming he makes his way up the stone steps to the surface and starts off to the centre of town to see about this festival.