A Contest

On a moon darker than the rest, an anonymous letter appeared at the doorstep of three adventurers. The message of the letter was simple, "Meet me at Camp Tranquil. I am in dire need of your services. You will be paid handsomely." The three souls who received the mysterious letter were a merchant from Ul'dah, a botanist from Gridania, and a cook from Limsa Lominsa. All three had never met, but were willing to assist the plea for help. The merchant and cook boarded their city-states' airship, while the botanist walked to Camp Tranquil.

After several bells, all three letter bearers were sitting around Camp Tranquil's campfire as it glistened in the night. The three discussed for half a bell.

The merchant boasted of his market selling anything and everything that was found along his travels. The cook then commented on his successful culinary career, and how he developed a new tasty take on Bouillabaisse. Finally, the botanist chimed in telling stories of his wood being the finest that all the carpenters wanted.

As the conversation went on, the three eventually put their talk of accomplishments away and turned to curiosity. The cook questioned the two if all three of the letters received were identical in handwriting as well as in message of urgency. Each brought out their copy of the letter and when put side by side, was the same. The merchant sighed with relief. He was glad he did not spend five-thousand gil for the airship fee just for a prank. The cook was about to make a comment, but kept it in.

Unexpectedly, the botanist pointed to a mystifying figure walking towards the three sitting. The merchant and cook immediately turned their heads to see what was approaching. The figure was clearly a hyur wearing a black cloak and mask. The figure reached the campfire.

Next, the figure began to speak in a muffled voice. He thanked the three for coming to his aid. He then told the three to listen carefully. The merchant, botanist, and cook looked at one another and remained silent. The black cloaked individual began. He summoned the three to retrieve a lost staff. The hyur explained he was practicing magic in the forest when a pack of wolves encircled him. He was outnumbered, and had no choice but to leave the staff when he fled for his life. He said he needed more than just himself to search , since The Black Shroud has many pathways. He felt with four of them, the staff would be recovered swiftly.

After hearing the tale, the three agreed with four it would be an easy undertaking. The merchant declared spreading out was the best plan and headed northeast of Camp Tranquil. The cook disagreed with the merchant and teamed up with the botanist who started their search together directly east. The hyur smiled and walked into the forest, happy his staff would be returned.

Three bells passed, and the night became darker. The cook and the botanist began to near The Rootslake. A sudden scream of agony echoed through the forest. The botanist and cook quickly spun around. The scream did not come from directly behind them. The botanist suggested to the cook that they teleport to Silent Arbor to ensure the merchant was safe. The cook, frightened, told the botanist he did not have enough anima. The botanist, also afraid, assured the cook it would not take long to teleport there and back to him. The cook waited by two small trees.

Once the botanist arrived, he saw a horrific sight. The merchant was dead next to a bush with his eyes carved out and two pieces of gil replacing where the eyes should have been. The botanist immediately rushed back to where the cook was waiting. However, the cook was tied up between two trees with a lit fire burning his corpse. The botanist's eyes and mouth were agape. As he was about to turn back to Camp Tranquil, he heard a crack and before he knew it a tree toppled on him. The hyur's staff was never recovered.



And now I ask you three. Will you find my staff?