This story was created with Caribou and his character, A’rhenu Tia!
During a particularly capricious trip to the Black Shroud, Tyym encountered a botanist being chased by a treant. As usual, she stepped in to help them out, grabbing its attention to fight it herself. This treant was more aggressive than most, however; though it went down, it managed to grab her lute as she was using it for magic, and smash it.
Tyym came out of the scuffle uninjured, but nearly inconsolable as a bard without her instrument. She’d had that lute since she started her journey, and it had been there for every adventure she found herself on. And here it was, smashed beyond repair in a matter of seconds. Fortunately the botanist was able to recommend a skilled woodworker they regularly visited, Jahleh Xurlhi; before they could offer to pay for the replacement lute, Tyym was gone and off to see her.
From the second she opened the door to Jahleh’s shop, Tyym was a whirlwind of emotion as she haphazardly tried to explain her situation amidst her panic. Fortunately Jahleh was able to read between the lines; she managed to calm the elezen down and understand the commission and its importance to her. After thinking for a moment, she summoned her apprentice, A’rhenu Tia, and asked him to take this job on. Tyym was hesitant at first to have an apprentice take this job on, instead of the actual shop owner, but Jahleh assured her that he was perfect for the job.
Tyym stuck around during A’rhenu’s work, often watching him during the day. Besides her anxieties towards the final result, she was also curious about the woodworking process; she rarely had opportunities to see it up close. A’rhenu would often ask about the specifications she was looking for in her lute; besides making her feel more comfortable in his work, it gave her multiple opportunities to share her adventures with him. She noticed a spark in his eyes as she told her tales, and it made her excited to share more and more.
Soon enough, A’rhenu finished her lute. It exceeded her expectations; it was hard for Tyym to not keep playing it as she thanked her crafter for his amazing work. However, she soon realized she hadn’t negotiated payment beforehand; she wasn’t in the most financially stable place at the moment. As she sheepishly asked if she could do anything to help out around the shop as her payment, A’rhenu piped up. He was apparently inspired by Tyym’s music, and wanted her to teach him how to play. With Jahleh’s blessing, this became her payment.
Thus, Tyym stuck around the woodworking shop a bit longer as the lessons began. Tyym was able to teach A’rhenu about the basics of musical performance, and he was a fast learner. In no time, he became a respectable musician in his own right! Tyym was occasionally inspired by his music through dance; these impromptu performances would catch the eye of passers-by, and led to more customers for Jahleh in the process. These lessons also allowed Tyym to share more adventures through the music she taught A’rhenu. In return, the carpenter began to share more of his life. Though she hadn’t learned everything, his music expressed the trials and struggles he’d been through for a lot of his life. She was curious to learn more, but also happy knowing he was doing much better where he was now. The two became fast friends through these lessons and their exchange of stories.
Eventually Tyym had fulfilled her end of the bargain (and then some, as Jahleh noted her increase in clients), and she was ready to set off on another adventure. As she headed out, she thought about the wanderlust she began to see in her new friend’s eyes, like she often felt. She knew it wouldn’t be the last time she’d see A’rhenu Tia, and couldn’t wait to see him out on his own adventures.