Tech’s Tavern

Chapter I – The Wanderer

Ai Pendrake had never meant to be an adventurer. He was the son of a blacksmith and a healer, raised among the clang of hammers and the scent of herbs. But wanderlust took root in him early, and soon he was walking paths beyond the horizon. Quick-witted and inventive, he earned the nickname “Tech” from fellow travelers, for he always had some trick, gadget, or clever fix to save the day. Years passed, and Tech’s name became known in whispers along the roads. He had crossed deserts, sailed rivers with pirates, and once bested a warlock in a game of riddles. Yet even with gold in his pouch and legends on his lips, he found himself restless. Adventure had become less about glory and more about weariness.

Chapter II – The Firelight

One autumn night, Tech and his companions made camp near the borderlands. They feasted on dried meat and bread, and as always, stories filled the night. His companions laughed and exaggerated, trading victories like currency. But Tech listened differently this time. He realized that their stories—whether tragic or triumphant—were the true treasures of the road. When the fire burned low, he caught himself thinking: Gold fades, steel rusts, but a good tale lasts forever. And in that thought, a seed was planted.

Chapter III – The Crossroads

Tech wandered until he found the right place. It was a crossroads between kingdoms, where caravans stopped and pilgrims passed. The land was rough but rich, with oak trees for timber and stone for a foundation. Standing at that meeting of roads, Tech laid his sword down in the dirt and decided—his adventuring days were over. He would build not a fortress, nor a shrine, but a tavern. A home for stories. A place where travelers could rest, drink, and trade tales the way merchants bartered goods.

Chapter IV – The Shelves Behind the Bar

The tavern rose slowly, plank by plank. Tech himself hammered beams and carved the sign with his own hands: “Tech’s Tavern.” Behind the counter, he built shelves, but unlike most taverns, his shelves were soon filled with books more than bottles. Each book held a story told to him—some scribbled on loose parchment, others copied into leather-bound tomes. Still, his adventurer’s blood was not forgotten. Trinkets from his past decorated the bar: a rusted sword, the skull of some nameless beast, a treasure chest that jingled with coins, and a cloak clasp from a queen who once owed him her life. These were not trophies, but reminders—proof that every story had weight.

Chapter V – A New Kind of Currency

The first rule of Tech’s Tavern was simple: a story could pay for a drink. A farmer’s tale of outwitting wolves, a bard’s song of lost love, even a child’s fable—each had its worth. The better the story, the warmer the welcome. Some patrons laughed at the rule, until they saw Tech carefully record their tale into his growing library, preserving their words for all time. In this way, Tech’s Tavern became more than a drinking hall. It was a place where stories lived, traded, and grew. Those who had nothing but their voices still found value within its walls.

Chapter VI – The Hearthfire

Years passed, and the road outside changed, but the hearth inside Tech’s Tavern never dimmed. Travelers came not only for ale or rest, but to hear the stories left behind by those who came before them. In every corner, whispers of legends echoed, and in every mug of ale, warmth spread deeper than drink could give. And at the center of it all stood Tech Pendrake—no longer a wanderer, but still an adventurer of sorts. His journeys had ended, yet through the stories shared in his tavern, adventure never ceased. The fire he once sat beside on lonely roads now burned eternal, drawing travelers near.