Components of a Sword

"Present yourself, boy." Said boy was perhaps too old to be still a boy, but he certainly did not measure up as a man. As a worker either given his saunter, but he presented himself before the moon renewed itself. "Take this to Linten to have it melted down."
The boy gave the blade a squinting examination. "Why? It's shaming nobody as it is."
The armorer regretted saying a single word more than he needed, but it was done, and now his nature rebelled against the impulse to cuff him, which came after all from mere general dislike. Also, his assessment was correct; possibly he could be turned to use. "It is in fine condition considering the dozens of criminals it has slain in the executioner's hands. Close to a hundred overall."
"Oh, it's that? 'A hundred deaths of men and the demon inside the sword awakens.' But that isn't a warning for a normal sword like this, surely. When a master brings forth a special works, then worry."
"How can a sword be forged and not have a demon in it? Take it thither."
The boy looked the blade over again with more respect, more inspiration. "Even this? It seems a shame not to try, if we have one this close. All right, fine, don't strain your hand by raising it. Observe my dispatch."
There are times when an explanation is not better for being fuller. There are people who are not improved for being more informed.
Finis

Addendum

Another 2450 prediction: the best use for AI will still be pretending to be fictional characters for chatting purposes even though the spaghetti-eating videos will be almost perfect.

Future Currency

Money's probably going to need a stat squish someday. According to the workings of my blast-processing-enabled brain, in the year 2450, 10,000 USD will be worth about 30 talents.

The Newest Adventure Starter

People these days think they're too good for sitting in an inn and then an adventure starts. They're wrong insofar as they're not good enough, but either way, we need something that works for everything. The answer is the census takers who get in a mess. Whether somebody's inflating regiment headcounts to skim from the pay, people have been disappearing unreported, or there are more aliens congregating that allowed by the treaty, there's trouble everywhere, every time, for characters of every legal/moral/ethical bent. Don't go thinking the adventure has to do with the census, either. That can just be an excuse to go somewhere and hear about the crashed meteorite.

Trend Banquet

Toast: Indestructible fighting body.
Boast: Census takers who get in a mess.

Addendum

But there's still time for a hero shooter, right? Right?

Empty Bandwagons

It's probably too late to hope for success with a Vampire Survivors-type game, but not a single fantasy book property ended up being the setting for one so far as I know. What's everybody doing out there?

To Rejoin Society

One day, three travelers came to the Abdal Springs, and all for the same reason. The caretaker explained the ways of the place.
"There are three chambers here to contain three springs with these properties. One cleanses the pollution of great crimes, one of moderate crimes, and one of petty crimes. Decide yourself which suits you."
The three went each to his own choice, and the caretaker spoke to each when he emerged.
"You chose the great spring for all that no one else would judge your crime to be so enormous as that. There is evidence of a humble and conscientious understanding, and you will be blessed for it."
"You chose the small spring for your small crime. Your perception is unclouded even regarding yourself, the obscurest subject, and you will be blessed for it."
"You chose the middle spring, proof that your way is to find what is easiest. The spring was free, you heard moderation is commendable, and with that decided there was no need to consult remorse, moral judgment, a sense of social responsibility, or anything else that is hard. Your pollution is washed away, but the cloud which hangs about dullards hangs thick on you. You will be the happiest of all."
Finis

Terrestrial Transition

When the generation/hibernation ship gets to the planet and the colony starts, the captain gets to be mayor, right? But it's a purely symbolic position, right? It would be a shame for him to have nothing just because there isn't anything left for him to do. They can even name the capitol after him and force children to memorize it.

Ruins of the Good Old Lost Age

Your fantasy characters found something which informs the audience this is a post-apocalyptic story! You hack! But what is it? Unearth your random number generator, a technology soon to be lost in the flames, and find out.

1. Television set
2. Gas station
3. Gun
4. Office building
5. Modern doctor's office
6. Gun (futuristic)
7. Library
8. Lincoln Memorial ~~~Bonus chance! Pick twelve countries from an atlas and roll again, then look up twelve landmarks and roll a third time.~~~
9. Amazon warehouse
10. Tank
11. Scuba gear
12. Fancy modern bow

The twelfth would be the most impressive to your characters, but that doesn't mean they should get it. Life's funny that way.