Once upon a time, an old fisherman washed up on the shores of Aeternum. Though others sought treasure and power, the fisherman was content to build himself a small hut overlooking a delta, and sail out every day to catch his meals. \n\nOne summer evening, the fisherman found himself lost in a dense fog. He drifted until he saw a light beneath the waves. He cast his line, watching the light bob and sink. The creature that he reeled up was unearthly: an enormous sturgeon with glittering jeweled scales, twice as long as he was tall. \n\nThe astonished fisherman nearly dropped his line, but not before the sturgeon spoke: "Release me, friend, and I will grant you a wish."

The Fisherman

The Sturgeon's Tale

In a land of wonders, a talking fish is hardly noteworthy. But something about the sturgeon's blinding scales and golden eyes gave the fisherman pause. \n\nHe bowed and answered, "Will you guide me home?" The sturgeon turned and began swimming away, with the fisherman paddling after. He followed its glowing trail all the way back to shore.

The First Wish

Glowing Trail

When his hut was in sight, the fisherman stopped paddling. "Thank you,” he said to the sturgeon. “May I ask for a second wish?" \n\nThe sturgeon did not answer. \n\n"I wish for your good fortune, friend," continued the fisherman. "I wish for you to prosper, and for the oceans and rivers to be as good to you as they have been to me."

The Second Wish

Good Fortune

More lights appeared from beneath the waves. Soon, the shallow water was full of jeweled sturgeon, as many as the stars in the night sky. They all spoke with a single voice as deep as the sea: \n\n"For your generous spirit, you may make a third wish." The fisherman thought, until the fog cleared and the moon rose high in the sky. Patiently, the many sturgeon waited. \n\n"I wish for death," said the fisherman. "I am old, and the next step awaits me." \n\nNo one ever saw the fisherman again. He left behind only his boat, his rod, and a single fish scale that crumbled to shimmering dust with the sunrise.

Monarch's Bluffs Summer Village Chapter - NWGuide Database of Lore

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