5 Jun 2024
~ When You Wish Upon A Star ~
With some downtime between the Queen's Mission and its conclusion, the party responds to a Missing Person's Poster...
Arwen Spruton, Owner of Arwen's Tabletop Treasures. Last seen in their store. Please contact Darril Moss if found.
...Finding Darril right by the local tavern, with deep dark circles under his eyes, his gaze striken by concern and worry. As Darril explains, his good friend Arwen - who runs a local tabletop gaming store - has been missing for quite some time. They're perhaps the best carpenter of miniature figurines in the town of Bellthorne, and their customers have been worried about their sudden disappearance - perhaps even a kidnapping.
And so, the party travels and investigates Arwen's Tabletop Treasures...while Darril tells of their numerous Pathfinder adventures shared together. Charming, and perhaps something Celestia would engage in some day, when her own adventures in life are...less hectic. Arwen's shop was itself locked and boarded up - but from the inside. There were no signs of a struggle, of forced entry, nothing was stolen nor destroyed.
Everything was left in perfect condition, if not for the settling dust from the build up of time from Arwen's disappearance. They did, however, leave their ledger (full of empty and unfulfilled orders), as well as a letter on their office table...
"To whomever may find this note, The threads of my inspiration have frayed. I find myself unraveling. What has once brought me infinite joy has become my ultimate burden. The days blur into one another, and I cannot go on. If you are a customer, I regret that my services will be put on hiatus for the foreseeable future. I recommend that you patronize any other artist, for their handiwork must be more worthy than mine. If you know me personally, I hope your life has improved substantially without me.
Arwen"
The note was concerning, to say the least, especially after discovering the remainder of the shop was boarded externally - meaning Arwen had left the Tabletop Treasures, intending not to come back. We rushed to their house, with Darril in tow, fearful the worst had happened to Arwen.
...and we fortunately found them alive, though tucked up in their bed. Arwen was in quite a distraught mental state, but was able to calm down a little thanks to Kava's distractions. As they finally explain what had happened...it turns out, Arwen recently went through a terrible breakup, and the ensuing depression left them feeling hopeless and useless...it's something I'm sure a lot of us can relate to. Bad breakups are heartbreaking and devastating, to say the least.
The party spends the afternoon with Arwen, as Darril shows how important they are to the community, to Bellthorne's tabletop presence, and how important they are - simply as a friend. And with a smile finally appearing on their face, as well as a new luscious braid of hair on their head, thanks to the handicrafts of Caliban - it seems Arwen will be back on their feet in no time.