While traveling abroad some time ago, you found yourself swapping tales with a diverse crowd of misfits in a seedy tavern. After much talk, you and several new acquaintances agreed to meet one year later in the town of Clearwater. From there, you would plunder the infamous Castle Trismegistus, winning fame and fortune along the way.
That meeting is today.
You enter the Copper Dragon in Clearwater, the agreed upon meeting place. The sparkling-clean taproom of this well-appointed inn is nearly empty – only one corner table seats any patrons. As you approach, you half-recognize your drinking companions from that fateful night one year ago.
GM’s Note: This would be a good time to become re-acquainted and to plan your expedition to Castle Trismegistus.
Gannacus stoops as he enters the inn, being too tall to get through the door without crouching. He looks uneasy and out of place as he gazes around the room. His buckskins and fur cloak mark him as an outdoorsman, and his large frame, squat protruding face, and greenish skin mark him as a half-orc. His face has a bottom-heavy appearance with the protruding jawline and large teeth characteristic of his race. His hair does nothing to help this appearance. He has a large bald spot on the top of his head, revealing a veiny green scalp. The rest of his stringy black hair falls to the back of his neck. The sides of his face are dominated by large bushy mutton chops. Though he has the bearing of a warrior he has only a dagger and an odd wooden short sword etched with writing tucked into his belt. Seeing his companions at the table he approaches with heavy footfalls. "Hail fellows and well met," he says awkwardly, as if he were a child repeating a polite greeting he had just been taught.
ReplyDeleteA slender man with a goatee takes his boots off the table and leaps to his feet. He bows elaborately, one hand on his rapier.
ReplyDelete"Well met yourself." He squints at Gannacus, then smiles and says, "As our last meeting involved rather more drink than was wise, perhaps I should remind you that my name is Dyvos. And you, I think, are Gannacus? Please, join us."
Waving Gannacus to a chair, Dyvos drops into his seat and puts his feet back up.
Still seated, Varris tops off his drink with dark red something from a small vial. "More than was wise? It's a miracle three of us remembered this, much less showed up." He drops the empty vial into one of the innumerable pockets lining his coat.
ReplyDelete"Name's Varris, if you'd forgotten. Need anything for your drink? The red ones mask the taste, or they should, mixed right. With the right reagents it'd work better, but little substitutions sometimes must be made." Varris trails off into a monologue about the rising costs of reagent prices and the far-reaching consequences for small villages, until interrupted.
Inspired by strong drink to turn to business, Gannacus says, "I know nothing more of the castle than it holds riches and it is now inhabited by fierce creatures. What more is there to know?!" he challenges, slamming his fist on the table. "I say we ride out there tomorrow and take what we find," he adds, forgetting he has no horse.
ReplyDelete"Are you both preared for an expidition? Do you need weapons?" Dyvos looks pointedly at the wooden sword thrust thru Gannacus' belt.
ReplyDelete"A sword perhaps?"
Dyvos continues, "I'm not certain how long you gentlemen have been here in Clearwater, but I've had a bit of time to look around, make a few friends. I've learned that the Castle is a couple days upriver by barge - passage will cost only a few coppers. There are rumors of a few goblin bandits near the Castle but I'm certain we can deal with a few little gobbos!
Due to some recent... trouble... I have no horse, but I did purchase a sturdy mule - I'm assured that he is neither claustrophobic nor scared of the dark - and I took the liberty of providing us with some supplies as well. In short, I am ready to go."
Suddenly serious, Dyvos sits up in his chair and sets down his drink. "Let me ask one question first though: we are near-strangers, and have come to one of the more dangerous places in all the world on the strength of a simple bar bet. Are you all certain you wish to go through with this?"
"My weapons and armor are stored back at room so I can be ready as soon as you wish. And I'm not going to back out now and let you and your mule share all the glory and the loot."
ReplyDeleteAfter a few moments of awkward silence, Dyvos speaks.
ReplyDelete"Well then! Since it seems we are all ready, I suggest we leave at dawn tomorrow. Good evening."
Dyvos stands and returns to his room for a good night's sleep - perhaps the last he will have in a real bed for some time.
Varris nods and unsuccessfully attempts to stand. Back in his chair, he raises a grumbling toast as Dyvos departs. "To glory."
ReplyDeleteThe last ale of the night drained, he fumbles through his pockets for the right vial. "One of you's got my balance... which was it? Nope. Nope. That's the one." He drinks it in one gulp, glows briefly, and passes out at the table.