Stepping into the gritty settlement of Thirdborn felt like diving headfirst into a pit of vipers. You know, Avowed's world isn't for the faint-hearted—it's a place where survival often means bending the rules, and I stumbled right into that when I met Daiko. This shady, weirdly cheerful merchant was lurking in a corner, practically waving me over like an old friend. He spun a tale about needing someone to fetch a mysterious package, promising good coin in return. Without a second thought, I agreed; after all, in the Living Lands, opportunities like this don't knock twice. It wasn't just about the money—it felt like stepping into a puzzle, one where I'd uncover secrets about this lawless outpost. Little did I know, this simple errand would spiral into a web of danger and moral choices that left me questioning everything.
Daiko gave me the lowdown: his contact only communicated through cryptic arrows scattered around, which sounded absurd at first. I mean, arrows? In this day and age? But off I went, scanning every nook of Thirdborn. Some led nowhere—dead ends that made me chuckle at the futility—but one arrow pointed to graffiti scrawled on a house: "NW out of town, past the dy lakebed. Follow the arrows and find us under the X. Supplies are Limited." Talk about vague! It felt like chasing whispers, but it added a thrill to the hunt. Venturing back into Shatterscarp, I teleported to Deadfall Highlands, where the trail picked up again. Those arrows weren't just markers; they were breadcrumbs in a twisted game, guiding me through rocky outcrops and spider-infested nests. 💀
After battling a swarm of nasty spiderlings—seriously, those critters are relentless—I spotted the giant red flag with a huge X. And there was Aiko, Daiko's brother, writhing in pain from a spider bite. He played it cool, saying it was nothing, but handing over the illicit goods felt off. I had a choice: lie and call it a "free sample" or pay him 500 cp. I went with the lie, hoping to save some coin, but moments later, he collapsed dead. Just like that! It hit me hard—a reminder of how fragile life is in this brutal world. With the contraband in hand, I smashed a red barrel to escape, and out of curiosity, I sampled the goods. Nothing happened—no buzz, no magic, just disappointment. What a waste!
Back in Thirdborn, I faced the big decision: deliver the smuggled items to Daiko or hand them over to the authorities. Daiko was my first stop, and his reaction to his brother's death was chillingly brief—almost like he expected it. When I told him the drugs did nothing (since I'd tried them), he just shrugged it off. It concluded the quest, but it left a sour taste. The rewards? Not bad: 516 XP and a Poisoner's Kit. But honestly, the whole exchange felt hollow, like I'd enabled more trouble.
Alternatively, I could've taken the contraband to Tira Nui Hajime, the bounty collector. He was sarcastic as heck, barely acknowledging the effort, but he did toss me a Thirdborn Tira Nui Badge. It's a neat trinket for collectors, but it didn't feel like justice—more like a bureaucratic shrug. That path offered a different kind of closure, one that might align better with a lawful playstyle. Still, it made me wonder: in a place where everyone's playing dirty, does siding with authority even matter?
Here's a quick breakdown of the rewards based on which path you choose:
| Path | Reward | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Daiko Path | 516 XP + Poisoner's Kit | Useful for crafting toxins in combat. |
| Tira Nui Path | 516 XP + Thirdborn Tira Nui Badge | A badge that might grant minor faction perks. |
Reflecting on this quest, it wasn't just about the loot—it was a dance with morality. From following those absurd arrows to dealing with Aiko's sudden demise, every step felt like peeling back layers of this world's darkness. I jumped from excitement to regret in a heartbeat, especially when sampling those ineffective drugs. It all ties into Avowed's theme: life here is unpredictable, and even small choices ripple into big consequences. So, what would you do if you found yourself in a similar shady deal—would you prioritize loyalty or the greater good?
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