Lore Drop, October 2025 - A bribe

Waves are gently hitting the side of his small vessel and splashing fistfuls of murky water around, as he approaches a dusky town on the edge of a grim marshland. It's a dark night, but the moon and stars illuminate the smuggler's ship, making the valuables and trinkets gleam and sparkle with white, gold, and the vibrant colors of gemstones. He finds himself captivated staring at the glimmering goods.

His bliss is interrupted by the foul stench of the swamp. It's not a good idea to sail directly to the port of the town and gain unnecessary attention. He steers the petite ship to the side, outside of the port, but just close enough to the town. He has a discreet pier that he uses as his default docking place. As the smuggler is mooring his scrubby ship, a guard on night watch duty passes by and hears the sounds of his labor.

Guard: "Here again? What do you have this time?"

Smuggler: "Nothing special, just some old items."

Guard: "Let me see. Hmm... Interesting..."

Smuggler: "Like I told you, just some trinkets and baubles for the market."

Guard: "Uh uh, and you have the trading license for these items?"

Smuggler: "Well, my permits are a bit shaky right now, you know how the paperwork can be sometimes."

Guard: "Tsk, tsk, tsk. I'm not allowed to let you pass with these items without the permit. But I could be persuaded..."

Smuggler: "I know. Your morals as a guard are as crooked as the trees in Gloomwood. Fine, take one item of your choosing."

Guard: "Careful, you're talking to an official. Two items sounds a bit light, I'll take two. This emerald necklace looks interesting, I'll take it. And for the second item... hmm... I'll take this silver locket."

Smuggler: "As you wish. May I go now?"

Guard: "Hahaha... What's the rush? Why go spoil the fun we're having. But very well, I have to report back soon anyways. Have a safe night. Hahaha..."

Smuggler: "Yeah, you too..."

The two figures depart their ways and continue with their original activities. The guard couldn't be happier of his newly acquired treasure. He will most probably boast to his fellow guards about his new items, excluding the fact that they were a bribe for smuggling, while they're gathered around for drinks in the local tavern later on into the night. The guard will sell the trinkets, of course, saying they're from his family. But not yet, as he wants to enjoy the envious looks of others while it lasts. The money won't last long either, as it'll be spent on entertainment and beverages.

The smuggler just lost two of his best items, but he's lucky, he knows it. Many smugglers get captured right off the bat. Fortunately, this time the means of the guard could be bent. The same may not happen next time. That's why smugglers and other lowlifes usually travel in packs. That way they can ask the occasional guard one simple question: "Coin or coffin?"

Thanks for reading this dark themed story, just in time for Halloween. I'll see you next time with another story, a more cheerful story, of Taival and its people!

-Eerik, designer and content conjurer