Changeling - Players Guide.pdf

Just as Mug forgave Magda her screaming fits, she forgave
him his lack of tact. He was, after all, a redcap. "Because
they all turned out to be cheapskates! Every last one of the nogood
losers ran out of money and could no longer afford to
lavish me in the ways to which I'd hecome accustomed! Now
get the hell out of here! Can't you see I'm busy?"
Mug thanked Magda for her hospitality and went on his
way, desperate to find a good source of income. After carefully
adding up the total monthly sum of profits from his bodyguard
business and his daycare center, he decided to consult someone
who knew a thing or two about money. Lady Amelia was
his first choice, as the sidhe noble had more money than
anyone he'd ever met.
Lady Amelia was always busy. If she wasn't working out
the details of her next big social, she was keeping track of who
was visiting at court and seeing to their needs. Just the same,
she made time for Mug because he'd saved her life on several
occasions and never asked for any compensation beyond his
normal fee as a protector. He'd even given her discounts
during the months when she needed no protecting.
Over a snack of watercress sandwiches and elderberry
wine, he explained his dilemma. The lady was very attentive,
but in the end she was really not very much help. She
suggested that he ask the same question of Sven, the troll of
Waterbrook Bridge. Mug thanked her for her efforts, and gave
her the next month's protection free of charge. Amelia
graciously accepted, already fretting over the cost of the
antique plates Mug consumed when he'd finished with the
sandwiches. She also made a mental note to serve with paper
plates when next she fed a redcap.
As big as Mug was, Sven was bigger. Sven was the only
Kithain whom Mug ever knew who stood a full head and
shoulders above his own seven feet. After wading through the
cold waters of the river's edge, Mug knocked on the door in the
base of Waterbrook Bridge and waited politely until Sven
answered. When Sven finally opened the door, he gave Mug
the customary left-hook to the jaw, and the fighting began in
earnest. Since Mug was the one who wanted answers, he let
Sven beat him after only a few dozen punches were exchanged.
Sven was convinced that the best way to stay combat-ready was
to attack redcaps on sight, even those he called his friends. As
always, Mug accepted his friend's eccentricity as well as he
could. After the battle, Sven prepared cold venison sandwiches
for the both of them — remembering to serve on paper plates
this time, after the loss of his good stoneware when last Mug
visited — and Mug told his tale of woe again.
"When it comes to getting gold, you must go on an
adventure," the troll explained. "That, or get a job working
as a lawyer, which we both know is a horrible fate. When it
comes to adventures, you'd do best to speak with Mailanka
the eshu, for certainly he has gone off on many a quest. But
I don't think you need seek gold and gems to win fair Megan's
heart, old friend. You must only swear undying loyalty and
promise to protect her from all that would cause her harm.
Look at my own wife, Brynhild, if you doubt me. She agreed
to wed me when 1 was only a rookie cop and a newcomer to
the court guard."
"Um, didn't she get you the job at the court, so you could
work together?"
"Well, yes," Sven admitted, as he looked at the picture
of Brynhild that rested above the mantle of the fireplace. "As
a matter of fact, she did. But that's not my point. My point is
that she loved me despite my lack of money, and she loves me
still." Mug suspected Brynhild simply hadn't wanted to marry
a man shorter than her, and chose Sven for that reason alone,
but wisely chose not to mention the fact. His ribs were still
aching from the troll's earlier abuses.
"Thanks for your help, Sven. I'll give that some thought."
"You're welcome, Mug. Listen, do you think you could
drop by again tomorrow? I'm getting a little rusty when it
comes to using my axe."
"Sure thing." And with that, Mug went on his way to
find Mailanka.
Finding Mailanka proved far more difficult than Mug
initially expected. There were two reasons for his troubles:
first, Mailanka was already off on a quest. Second, the Kithain
who knew Mailanka best were all certain that Mug meant to
do the eshu harm, because of the unfortunate incident that
occurred when Mailanka mistook Mug for an ogre. (That is
a story in and of itself, and will have to wait for another time.
For now, we must deal with Mug's love life.) It took some
convincing and a few rattled teeth, but Mug finally managed
to pry the eshu's destination from another good friend — one
who understood that Mug had long forgiven the broken
spearhead lodged in his posterior during what most now
referred to as "Mailanka's Folly."
In this case the friend was none other than the master
chef and boggan known throughout the realm as Walter.
Walter always enjoyed having Mug over, as Mug would eat
anything put in front of him without complaint. The mystery
of how to make a perfect souffle still escaped Walter's numerous
attempts, and hating to waste anything, Walter kept the
ruined souffles in a large refrigerator until Mug could come by.
He gave detailed instructions on exactly where Mailanka was
going as Mug finished off the third bucket of wasted chocolate
and egg whites. When he asked Mug why it was so important
to find the eshu, Mug told him everything.
"Mug, my friend, love is not found in chocolate or gems.
It simply is," the boggan explained. "You cannot buy love
anymore than you can purchase respect. Both must be earned.
You have already shown that you deserve respect; perhaps
Megan will accept you for who you are."
Mug contemplated the boggan's words as he finished the
last pail of souffle-disasters, all of which tasted wonderful,
even if they had not risen as high as Walter hoped they would.
"Megan is a wonderful woman, Walter. But I don't think she
even knows I exist, except when another of her men fails to
be as perfect as she hopes."