Book 33 -- Adventuring Without A Medallion Of Returning
by Jamethiel

First week of Igneus in the year 3571:
I feel precious breath rise in my chest. I feel the sun's warmth on my
naked flesh. Odd, considering I was killed while adventuring without a
Medallion of Returning.
My group has been consistently successful, with the occasional retreat
being the exception rather than the rule, and the loss of a party member
extremely rare. I knew the consequences of death without a medallion
were severe; the forfeit of all accumulated experience and knowledge, in
addition to all equipment in one's possession at the time of death. Yet
I believed, incorrectly, that my surviving companions would recover my
body prior to a final retreat should I fall to a death blow, thus
reducing the risk.
I knew the instant the blow landed that I was dead. So too did my
companions, leaving my corpse and equipment for the monsters sport. A
wise choice I think, for things have no life, while mine was restored at
a high destiny cost of 50 points. So why did I choose to leave my
medallion behind? Because the increased risk is offset by the rewards.
The anticipation of combat is significantly heightened, turning a
mundane outing into something special, simply by accepting the risk
involved. Perhaps it is this sharper awareness that yields roughly one
third more experience beyond that earned when a medallion is equipped.
Each time my companions and I make preparations to depart, I ask myself
"Do I feel lucky?" For you see, luck has a great deal to do with the
outcome. Which leaves one final uncertainty. What happens when you fall
to a death blow and yet your companions are victorious? I honestly do
not know. There is a price to all knowledge. Perhaps I will learn this
too someday.
(addendum by Yerikan)
The question posed by Jamethiel at the end is answered thusly: Your gold
and items would be taken by your companions. But if your allies do not
win the combat your body and items will NOT be recovered or dragged to
safety during a retreat. Please consider this a warning of the risks
involved with adventuring without a medallion.

The End

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