Cav's Place

This is one of the other three novellas included with The Bard’s Tale IV: Barrows Deep, besides the first three, which are novelizations of the original trilogy, and I didn’t see any official description and didn’t play the game, so I have no idea whether it’s directly connected with the game and someone who has played it may well have a different opinion. But, to me, it does appear to fit. And, even on its own, it’s a decent enough effort if you keep your expectations in check, portraying what is pretty much a single event, taking place over a short amount of time, and doing little more than setting the stage for an adventure, but doing it well enough, including plenty of lore elements, and being very easy to read and properly edited.
Of course, there are even short stories, not to mention novellas, that include strong character development, generate powerful emotions, and in the particularly notable cases even somehow manage to pack more and better worldbuilding, which is not the case here. But the one specific complaint I have is Alain’s inconsistency, being grave and responsible in a few moments but otherwise way too carefree and quick to make light of everything for a paladin. Well, that and the title, which would have deserved at least a minimum amount of effort. And no, the other novellas don’t share the pattern, so it couldn’t have been some sort of requirement.

Rating: 3/5