Helping Helpers

Challenge #04507-L123: Low Made High

An elderly person living alone in a hovel had but one wish. To live, if but for a little while, somewhere warm in their old age. They awoke one morning to find themselves in an enchanted wizard's tower, that was also part retirement home, that moved through the lands. And the kind wizard helping them, and other elderly, find solace and companionship in their twilight years. -- Lessons

For the longest time, the only care for the elderly was their younger family members. If the aged person was entirely lucky, they might be able to rely on the kindness of a temple or, if the realm was particularly good, the kindness of strangers.

Didra did not have any of those. He had a hovel in the Tumbledowns, where everyone was out for their own selves. The instant he died, there would be at least three people trying to pry the teeth from his mouth or saw the hair off his head. They'd steal the pitiful belongings from his hut, and throw his body into the midden so they could steal his deathbed.

That was why Didra sewed himself into his own shroud when he bedded down for the night. If he should die before he woke, he would at least have some fragment of dignity in his disposal. If the gods would answer him, they would gift him a safe and comfortable place to live out his last days. All he wanted was the intangible things out of his reach. Little things. Mercy. Dignity. And the aforementioned comfort and safety. Just one would do. Please.

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Challenge #04446-L062: Responsibility's Burden

Things go wring, any sentient being knows this. So emergency stuff is kept close. From the emergency safety pin to the list of beings who will come to your aid and make it 'go away. -- Anon Guest

[AN: I kept the typos in this prompt on purpose. I think it fits the mood]

Every cogniscent being should have a Handy Stash. That is, a stash of things that come in handy. The omnitool, the package of adhesive medical strips, gaffa tape,

Challenge #04425-L041: Guided to Gaining Good Spirits

When is a cat not an ordinary cat? And when is a cat a link to a life-saving miracle worker? When that cat is named Lilbit, is immortal, and owned by an immortal elf living in the elf's cottage. -- Anon Guest

[AN: Wraithvine wanders. The cottage is a portable magician's tower in a dimensional pocket that's more a place to stay when no other venues are available.]

The cat was gloriously fluffy, and very confident. Her tail was high as she

Challenge #04395-L011: Standing Out? Outstanding!

The bullies tricked the person into consuming something the person was severely allergic to. The mage that saved the person got pissed, and taught the bullies why such behavior was a BAD idea. -- Anon Guest

Orleth the Incredulous was minding her own business when she found the kid wheezing and turning red as their hands and face began swelling up. Some quick work with an antitoxin spellwork brought them the ability to breathe again. Orleth stayed nearby and offered her arms

Challenge #04363-K345: Song Without Voice

Illness had robbed them of the ability to speak, their kind brauniin friend that gently nursed them through it helped them learn to sing. Though it took time, patience, and though it hurt some, the kindness of loved ones. -- Anon Guest

Brauniin pride themselves on being unnoticed. Kind deeds done without reward nor praise. Help where it's needed, for those who toil but fail regardless. They only take that which is offered, or that which will not be noticed.

People know

Challenge #04360-K342: Flight of the Unwelcome

Moving day for such a huge household is SO much easier when you're friends with a wizard, and a dragon is willing to play with the littlest ones while everyone else is packing. -- The New Guy

[AN: following on from this tale ]

It's never easy to be a surprise parent. Bliss appointed himself as suprise parent to a dozen pitiful lives on one harsh stormy night. He managed to pick up five more in the process of seeing to the needs

Challenge #04351-K333: Help From Nowhere

She was alone in the ramshackle hut having a difficult birth, the last survivor of a caravan. Fortunately for her, the family of Brauniin heard her cries, and came to this woman in her hour of need. -- Anon Guest

The house barely had a roof left, more weeds and leaf litter than true thatch, nevertheless, it counted as a house. The Hidden Ones lingered there. A house wants its Faekindred. Brauniin or Nisse, some waited for the ruin to be a

Challenge #04292-K274: Lending a Hand

The cave-in was pretty severe. The worst part was, magic was risky in this region. Lilbit had managed to squeeze out through cracks. Surprisingly, tail in the air all smug, Cat returned, with the sound of anxious diggers to be heard outside the cave. -- Anon Guest

Wudzgaad are the oddities of Faekindred. They can walk between worlds with but a thought. They never ask for names because they don't see the need for them. They go about their business and remain

Challenge #04263-K245: Small, Frail, and Scared

An adorable set of small puppies went after King Kormwind's tail, Wraithvine's clothes, Gikka's tail, and were trying to chase and play with Birbrid and Lilbit. The caretaker apologized as they were trying to care for, and find homes for, this sweet pack of little strays. -- Anon Guest

[AN: Two of these people are in different times and continents. AUGH! Quick thinking: Doesn't have to be King Kormwind IX, doesn't have to be the Gikka already established]

King Kormwind Arachis Felbourne

Challenge #04135-K117: Baby Steps

Vrax became closer to the badly harmed human. Introducing them to individuals who, though they didn't wear the uniforms, were highly trained therapists. It would take a long time, and a lot of careful, gentle, care. But this human was going to get the help they needed, even if it was in a round-about manner at first.

https://peakd.com/fiction/@internutter/challenge-02486-f296-some-of-parts -- Anon Guest

Nobody went homeless in the Alliance. Even if they chose not to avail themselves of the

Challenge #04057-K039: Kind and Gentle Help

A stranger stumbles out of the alleyway, tired, tear-streaked, and sore. Seeing Wraithvine, they give them a hug and begin to weep. Then they apologize for that, but they desperately needed a hug today. -- Anon Guest

Sometimes, all that two kind hands can do is wrap gently and give comfort to someone who is suffering.

The person who collapsed into Wraithvine's arms and soaked hir shoulder with tears took their time shuddering to a halt. They were still clinging to Wraithvine

Challenge #04007-J355: Essential Operations

Wraithvine and friends are asked to help teach apprentice healers who are going to be assigned to local orphanages to help care for the kids and keep them healthy. Some of the children come up to them with torn, or otherwise damaged, stuffies and ask the healers to please treat their "friends". -- Anon Guest

In any large enough city, it's no accident that Healer's schools are in close proximity to the orphanages or poorhouses. They are, after all, the places that

Challenge #03995-J343: How to Leave Without Notice

Jay is approached by his supervisor with offer of lessons to tend to kids, and to treat injuries. Next few assignments might need the knowledge. -- DaniAndShali

"I don't really know what I can teach," said Jay. "I know what I survived, but..." He trailed off, resuming his usual performance of attempted invisibility. An old habit from his time before he escaped.

"That's what you can teach," said Counsellor Tye retained hir normal calm affect. Being the island of tranquility in the

Challenge #03993-J341: The War on Plague

The entire city is on lockdown. The spotted sickness has come. They were calling to all who were willing, please help. -- Anon Guest

The disease was a terror. The young could survive it, true, but if they were too young, it could kill them. Similarly, if they were too old, it could also killed. Those lucky to survive could be scarred for life. Rendered blind, deaf, or pock-marked from their encounter. Some were turned simple from the fever. Some were impaired

Challenge #03896-J244: Welcome to the Universe

Three newborn humans, two very exhausted parentals, and a ship full of friends ready and willing to help. -- Anon Guest

"Triplets?" asked Companion Drask. She had heard of the concept, but it still boggled the mind.

"No, one had twins and the other had one." Companion Morq repeated himself. "Both our Humans were pregnant." He belatedly remembered that Drask was oviparous. "Hatching."

"I thought they were mates. Humans are dimorphic, aren't they?"

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A 19-post collection

Challenge #04507-L123: Low Made High

Challenge #04446-L062: Responsibility's Burden

Challenge #04425-L041: Guided to Gaining Good Spirits

Challenge #04395-L011: Standing Out? Outstanding!

Challenge #04363-K345: Song Without Voice

Challenge #04360-K342: Flight of the Unwelcome

Challenge #04351-K333: Help From Nowhere

Challenge #04292-K274: Lending a Hand

Challenge #04263-K245: Small, Frail, and Scared

Challenge #04135-K117: Baby Steps

Challenge #04057-K039: Kind and Gentle Help

Challenge #04007-J355: Essential Operations

Challenge #03995-J343: How to Leave Without Notice

Challenge #03993-J341: The War on Plague

Challenge #03896-J244: Welcome to the Universe