Pipe-weed!

Now I know where to start!

I have recently heard (well... actually, overheard, but nevermind...) that a load of pipe-weed will be exported to the amazing kingdom of Darokin. Yes, Darokin! Beautiful, mighty, rich Darokin! Well, at least that is what I've heard about it.

So with all that excitement, I was about to start my adventuring career in a bold - yet sloppy, maybe even stupid - way.

That's when I got a letter with an emerald earring inside. Right? The whole thing made of emerald? And in the shape of a flame? How cool is that? Well... it might be merely blue-green tourmaline, though.

I wish I knew more about gems... adding that to the things I need to improve on. I have a feeling from now on I'll be seeing lots of gems, me being an adventurer and all... so it'll be a handy skill. :-)

The letter was from Cillidox, a halfling (like myself!) adventurer of great renown and our country hero. Have I told you already that we live in the Five Shires?

Well, the letter did not describe what the earring was. I guess finding out more about it is part of my training, something for me to learn and experiment with. Or a yet another joke of Cillidox's - probably both.

At least, the document brought some really useful suggestions, and... well, I'm getting ahead of myself: first things, first... aesthetics are a must: let me decide in each ear to use the earring. I flip a copper coin and it's... the left ear!

Now let me tell you about my uncle.