I. Eumarus Bloodwyn sneered when his son told him how much he admired adventurers. "They're nothing but the dregs of society," he said, "low born miscreants who can't stand honest labor and accept their stations in life as good peasants should. Adventurers! A fine word for criminals who make their way in the world by trespassing in crypts and dungeons. Do they spare a thought to who might own them? Whose ancestral lands they may be on? No! They just smash the doors down like savage ruffians, and steal anything that catches their damned greedy eyes! Looters and pillagers, that's all they are. Murderers too, as often as not. And they have the audacity to think their stolen wealth gives them the right to associate with their betters!'
II. Nemler, who had read his share of chronicles in the family library, pointed out that the Bloodwyns' ancient wealth had largely come from the looting and pillaging of foreign lands or even other noble houses. He asked how that was any different. The back of Eumarus' hand ended the conversation, but it failed to provide a convincing argument. Thus the boy continued to learn all he could about adventuring -- pestering his tutors until they revealed stories to delight his young imagination.
III. During Nemler's fifteenth year, the local countryside was beset by a manticore -- a crimson-furred monster with ferocious claws, a barbed tail, and an unfortunate habit of slaughtering the peasantry. When the commoners came to demand assistance from their lord, Eumarus told them that the beast was sure to leave after it had eaten its fill. This suggestion failed to quell the peasants' discontent, however. And flogging them all was out of the question, since a severe beating might have prevented them from bringing in the harvest. So he sent some of his household guardsmen to deal with the creature.
IV. The guards dusted off their armor and weapons, girded themselves for battle, and marched out. But when they caught sight of the monster, it occurred to them that it was rather big and terrible. Thus they fled in search of safer employment. And the peasant rabble returned to pester Eumarus. That was when Nemler mentioned that a party of adventurers were staying in a nearby tavern, following an unsuccesful attempt to explore the Bloodwyn family crypt (Eumarus had installed strong doors). He urged his father to hire them, and the nobleman finally yielded.
V. Nemler snuck away to watch the adventurers do battle with the manticore. He gaped in awe as their scandalously dressed sorceress brought the beast to the ground by blasting holes in its wings. He cheered when the muscle-bound barbarian went at the creature with axe and sword. He even sang along with the bard. And after it was slain they gave him a claw as a keepsake, before selling the rest of the carcass to local tradesmen. It was the greatest experience of his life. From then on, his destiny was clear -- and no amount of backhands from Eumarus could alter it.
