The Josium Emporium

The previous fight took a lot out of me, and I was still kind of shaken by it, so I decided to take a small, 2 day break from Live Universe. Though the 2 days were boring, it was nice to just lounge around and not have to worry about higher level gankers, Flame Nagas, or other dangerously overleveled threats. However, I was getting bored with everyday life once again, and so after work on the third day, I finally returned to my favorite MMO.

After logging into Live Universe, I looked around, trying to remember what I was doing when I last logged on. I had last logged off inside the Rogue's Association, near the task board, as usual. Today, I felt like going shopping, and getting some new gear. After the entire PVP fiasco, It'll be nice to just relax.

I set off from the Rogue's Association, and headed over to Tergaron's marketplace. The small trader's nook of the town was bustling with activity. Though it was mostly filled with NPCs, Players scattered the area, selling materials from nearby mobs, and crafted items and consumables. I wasn't quite sure what I was looking to buy, maybe some new armor? Some consumables? I really wasn't too sure what I wanted to buy, so I just perused around the marketplace, looking from stall to stall, admiring the crafts made by workers, blacksmiths, and other player and NPC artisans.

After looking around for a few minutes, I found a small shop tucked away in an alleyway. It's front was covered in beads, potted plants, and colorful candles and other decorations. It felt like I was walking towards an old antique shop that you'd find in a small town, on the side of the road. I walked into the cramped, cluttered shop, which reeked of Old-People and antique dust. The interior of the shop was covered in odd looking plants, paintings, and antiques. Vases covered the shelves, next to contrasting vases filled with unknown substances. Standing at the center of the small shop was an old man, sitting hunched over on a stool, looking down at a book.

"Excuse me sir… what exactly is this shop?" I asked, looking around the somewhat alien shop.

"Oh? A customer…? Hmmm, yes, it seems you are… alright, welcome to my little shop, customer! I sell many wares and wiles. Anything you need, I probably have it, hehehe! Monster parts, plants, equipment… I have it all! So then, customer… what exactly are you in search for?" the old man said to me, chuckling.

"Oh, I'm not really looking for anything in particular, just browsing… by the way, do you get that many customers? This place is pretty well hidden." I said, looking around the dusty store, picking up and putting back down oddities.

"Oh, no… I don't get many customers at all, it's a real shame. But it's always a treat when I do get a customer." The old man sighed.

"Ah, I see, well that's a shame, I really do wish you get more customers, you have quite the interesting shop. Speaking of which, do you have any trappings? Things like tripwire, caltrops, marbles, perhaps?��� I continued, as I searched through the crevices and backends of the shop.

"Hmm, yes I do. You can find some caltrops and marbles in the top right shelf, near the back." the old man replied, staring at me as I walked around the shop. It felt a little unnerving, but unlike the old lady I had met a few days before, I felt no danger being around him.

After looking around a bit more, I had finally found the equipment I was looking for. As I hauled the bags of caltrops and marbles onto the counter, the old man looked at me and asked, "Young man, I'm getting quite old now, and I've been in need of some extra hands, would you mind helping me out from time to time in the shop? I'll pay you of course, if that's what you're looking for." The old man said, writing into his finance book the purchase that had just been made.

I thought about the offer for a second, before a notification screen popped up.

[QUEST]

Old Man Josie, the owner of The Josium Emporium has gotten old and frail, and has had trouble running the shop on his own, and he would like you to work for him part time, to help with maintenance and restocking and such.

REWARDS:

1500 EXP

+150 Tergaron REP

Old Man Josie's TRUST+

Discount at the Josium Emporium.

Weekly pay of 150 Tyles

Conditions:

Help out Old Man Josie in the Josium Emporium every day for two weeks. Amy breaking of this streak will result in a pay reduction, and a reduce in Josie's trust.

Will you accept [Y/N]?

I looked at the quest screen, and hesitantly clicked accept. Although it would take up a bit of my time in the game, it felt like a worthwhile endeavor, and I felt a sense of pity towards Old Man Josie, who had to take care of the shop all by himself.

"Oh, I'm so very glad you've decided to work for me, young man! Come by tomorrow to start your work, and make sure to stay well rested, this shop requires a lot of attention! Hahaha!" Old Man Josie billowed with laughter, sending me off with my equipment, and a smile on my face.

After leaving the Josium Emporium, I returned to the Rogue's Association and sat down, looking over at the task board. I felt like I could do a quick task, so I picked up an E- collection task, and went on my way.