Drake, now Level 13, emerged from the Smuggler's Tunnel back onto the rocky slope overlooking the now leaderless Blackfang Ravine bandit camp. The faint sounds of disorganized shouting still echoed from within, but the immediate threat felt significantly diminished. He had achieved his objectives: the locket was recovered, the Chief defeated, and valuable intel gleaned (even if his primary goal was now elsewhere). It was time to report back and collect his dues before finally continuing the long trek towards Silverhaven.
He made his way back to the small village of Stonebridge Crossing, arriving as morning colored the sky. The tension that had gripped the village previously seemed slightly lessened, though wary glances still followed him until recognized. His first stop was the Weary Traveler Inn, where Lyra, the merchant's assistant he'd rescued, had taken refuge.
He found her nervously helping the innkeeper clean tables. He approached gently and presented the tarnished silver locket. "I believe this belongs to you," Drake said simply.
Lyra gasped, her hands flying to her mouth as tears welled in her eyes. She took the locket reverently. "Grandmother's... you found it! After everything... How?"
"The Bandit Chief had it. He won't be bothering anyone again," Drake replied, omitting the grim details. << Quest Objective Complete: Return the Locket! >> . Lyra clutched the locket tightly. "Thank you, adventurer. Thank you! Master Borin would have… thank you." Her gratitude was reward enough, though the faction reputation boost was welcome.
Next, Drake sought out the Guard Captain. He reported the defeat of the Bandit Chief and the disruption caused within the camp. "They're disorganized now, leaderless. Shouldn't pose the same threat to caravans, at least for a while."
The Captain let out a huge sigh of relief, clapping Drake on the shoulder. "By the Light! You actually did it! Took out the Chief himself? That's... incredible news for the whole region! We owe you a great debt." He provided the promised reward for the intel and added a small bonus. << Received Bonus Reward: Gold x 50! +25 Stonebridge Local Rep! >> "We'll send a reinforced patrol to scout the ravine later today," the Captain added. "But knowing the head snake is gone makes all the difference."
As Drake was leaving the guard post, feeling satisfied, he was approached by another NPC he hadn't spoken to directly before – an elderly man with ink-stained fingers and spectacles perched on his nose, looking flustered but relieved. This was Scholar Willem, whose plight the Guard Captain had briefly mentioned might be linked to the bandits stealing research materials.
"Excuse me, adventurer! You're the one who dealt with the Blackfang bandits?" Willem asked anxiously. "The Captain mentioned you recovered some items?"
Drake recalled finding various notes and scrolls in the Chief's tent, some looking more like research than bandit inventories. He had implicitly gathered them during the loot phase. "Possibly. What was stolen?"
Willem wrung his hands. "My research notes! On local ley lines and Alvari resonance points! Crucial work! The bandits raided my camp near the old foundations last week..."
Drake quickly checked the miscellaneous documents he'd stuffed into his inventory from the Chief's stash. Among them was a bundle of carefully drawn maps and annotated scrolls matching Willem's description. He handed them over. << Deliver [Stolen Research Notes]? Y/N >> Drake confirmed.
Willem nearly wept with relief, eagerly checking the pages. "Intact! Oh, thank you, thank you! This saves me months of work!" He fumbled in his own pouch. "I have little coin, but... the bandits possessed this oddity. They used it as a paperweight, clueless fools. Perhaps it is of more use to someone like you, who appreciates artifacts?"
He handed Drake a smooth, palm-sized shard of dark, obsidian-like material that felt cool to the touch and hummed with a barely perceptible energy.
<< Item Acquired: [Alvari Tuning Stone] (Rare)! >>
[Alvari Tuning Stone]
Quality: Rare
Type: Artifact Component / ???
Description: A shard of unknown Alvari material, perfectly smooth and cool to the touch. It seems to resonate faintly with ambient Mana. Its purpose is unknown.
"An Alvari Tuning Stone," Willem explained, peering at it. "My research suggests such stones were sensitive to stable Mana flows, perhaps used to harmonize or activate ancient Alvari devices before the Shattering disrupted the world's energies. Just legends, mostly... but who knows?"
"Alvari Tuning Stone... reacts to Mana flows... used to harmonize devices?" [Perfect Recall] meticulously stored the item details and Willem's cryptic lore fragment. "Another piece of the puzzle? Along with the Hilt and the Artifact Disc... feels connected. Need to show this to Jian too." This unexpected find felt significant.
Drake thanked the scholar and finally left Stonebridge Crossing, his business there concluded. He traveled back towards Oakhaven, needing access to the bank and a quiet place to sort his extensive loot from the bandit camp. Back in his rented inn room, he laid everything out. Vendor trash (rusty weapons, torn leather), the [Rare Bandit Chieftain's Blade] (a solid upgrade he kept equipped), the stack of gold and silver, some gems and ore and a << Ring of Minor Toughness >>.
He sold the vendor trash at a general goods store. Then, recalling his newly learned Enchanting skill, he focused on the few magical items. He activated his basic [Disenchant] ability. Holding the [Runed Copper Rod], he focused on the Ring of Minor Toughness. The ring glowed, then dissolved under the channeled energy.
<< Item Disenchanted! Acquired: [Lesser Magic Dust] x5! >> << Acquired: [Faint Essence] x1! >>
"Okay, got a decent starting supply of basic enchanting mats now without spending more gold. Good." He carefully stored the Dust, Essences, and Shards in his bank. He glanced at his [Recipe: Glyph of Minor Health], still locked at 63% CCR. The temptation to try and push the CCR higher with these free materials was there, but he resisted. "No. Still too costly in terms of time and focus right now. The CCR grind needs dedicated effort later. Silverhaven first."