[ WP ] In the middle of the adventure , our heroes come across a crazy man who 's trying to explain his ridiculous beliefs that they 're supposedly `` all part of a fictional story . ''

`` You, over there! Yes you, with the staff. And your companions to. Come closer.'' croaked a battered beggar, `` Throw a coin in my cup and I'll tell you something you do n't know.'' 
 
 Ferinex, and his band of men, the Company of Iron, had just finished crossing the Agora desert and reached the oasis town of Meruzt. They often never traveled to the south, but the company's alchemist Alabaster sought-after a few rare reagents that were harvested from the flora and fauna of the region. 
 
 Meruzt is not an easy place to find. The sands around its deep well shift. The moisture from the sun baked spring creates harsh windstorm all around and leaves it peaceful in the center. 
 
 Alas, I digress. Our company of men enter Meruzt and are verbally accosted by our beggar for a coin. They entertain his words, and approach. Alabaster introduces himself, and produces a small copper coin. 
 
 `` And if I could be so blunt to ask, this coin will get me something -I- do n't know? `` 
 
 `` That depends if what you think you know is even real my friend'' replies the beggar in a slightly sarcastic tone, as if this is just a joke. 
 
 Alabaster goes to drop the coin in, and notices a slip of paper in the cup. 
 
 Charred parchment. 
 
 With a slight of hand he slides it out as he replaces it with the coin. The beggar seems none the wiser. 
 
 `` Why thank you, Alabaster, and now for my end of the deal.'' 
 
 `` All of this is but an illusion, and only one force guides everything young alchemist. Intention.'' 
 
 Alabaster takes the words for what they are, a crazy man's hyperbole. 
 
 As he walks away he opens the slip of paper and reads it. 
 
 `` Random falling boulders, roll a d20 for a reflex check'' 
 
 Our company sadly does n't look up quick enough. 
 
 

