In a word, fatal. In two words, boring fatality. The Road is long and winding, a marathon not a sprint. Yet at any moment, the rules can change and flip everything on its head. Once in contact with your contracted creature(s) – or anything else the Shimmer has cooked up for you -, a warden must be swift, thorough, and efficient. Anything less, and they won’t be a warden – or anyone living – for much longer.
Every Roadwarden has their preferred method of passing the time. Riddle games and story telling are popular ones among units. The value of keeping one’s mind stimulated while hands free cannot be overstated. Many decks of cards and pocket instruments have been lost in favor of quickly drawing a sword or shield against a sudden monster attack.
Perhaps because monotony and boredom are so commonplace in their jobs, Roadswardens celebrate successful hunts with great gusto and enthusiasm. Cookouts are a very popular way to do so, likely because they can be done most anywhere on the Road.
Meats are a staple, often hunted by the Roadwarden themselves. Sometimes, the festivities start early in this way, with everyone in a unit competing for who can catch the most or best game before sundown. If that’s not the case, the newest or most easily bullied member is sent to fetch “something tasty” while the others get the fire started and the liquor procured.
It’s tradition to have the leader of the unit start the fire. If a member of the group has been killed, a piece of their cloth will be used as kindling for the flame. Failing that, some other object is used as a stand-in.
Such cookouts only last one night – they have to, for the journey along the Road will begin the next morning, bright and early, whether they are prepared or not. But for these short hours of night, perhaps they can see the glamour of their profession in their weapons reflecting the fire’s flames or feel the heat of the bold heroics mixed in among the fresh-cooked game. Perhaps that’s only the ebb and lull of adrenaline talking. Even still, given the enduring nature of the post-hunt cookouts, there’s something about them that’s worth keeping.