Durkenstaff’s request from Jandice

Greeting the party with a warm cup of broth and a chunk of bread she sits down at the table opposite them and explains the situation. “Its not just the income from selling the ore from the mines, its out family. We rely on them for protection as well as helping around the village. They are our strongest and fittest villagers and we will be lost without them.” she began, waiting for the adventurers to drink some of the meagre soup.

She gripped the hand of her son, Randal who stood next to her. “A week ago our miners went to work. They normally stay up there for five or so days and return for just as many to relax and help sell the wares. But on the sixth day when they didn’t return we sent out our hunters to go find them and bring them home. We thought they’d been attacked by wolves and bears and were holed up somewhere. But when the hunters came back they couldn’t find any sign of them. Surely they have missed something. I can’t believe that they would just vanish like that.” Jandice stood up and walked off towards the pot to stir it.

Missing information

Randal sat down in front of the party. “Jandice the wise is what the others call her. A healer of sorts but she doesn’t always listen to counsel. I’m Randal, Jandice is my mother. Without the villagers from the mine we wont last the winter. The others don’t want me to tell you this, they fear that you will run off and take what you want from the mine. But there was something strange in there. A new passage. Now I help the miners occasionally. escorting them back and bringing them food. They would have told me about a new mine.” he began, pausing to look around at the others in the hall.

“I fear that they entered the new passage and got lost. Or something. I know we don’t have much to offer but can you hear out our request? Durkernstaff’s request?” he paused for a moment. “I’d start with the mines. We searched the rest of it. I’ll talk to the villagers and mother. I’m sure we can make it worth your while if you’re willing to help us find our families.”

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Rebeka Saeldric

A companion for life

Keeping her head down she crouched along the brush heading towards the clearing ahead. The large plants and ferns made this approach easy but she had learnt from a young age to never underestimate the jungle. Looking around for the signs of the undead, or a large predator she prepared to move swiftly. After a few careful steps she moved forward with swift determination towards her goal – a large nest. This one was her first test in becoming a knight, retrieving her companion.

Moving forward from grouping of ferns to fallen logs she hurried to the side of the nest. The steaming heap of vegetable matter helped incubate the eggs and judging by the size of this one it surely was a larger creature. Digging quickly and carefully moved to the centre of the heap. The heat was impressive from the decomposing branches and leaves but it meant that the eggs should be incubating well. Finally she felt something hard, nearly stone-like.

Digging it out she pulled the egg out into the open before placing it in a bag she carried over her shoulder. The egg was smaller than the bag allowed up to but it was still the size of her long bladed dagger about eight inches in length. Covering the next back up by filling in the hole she made she quickly ran towards the cover of the trees as the beasts that called this part of the jungle home could be heard returning.

Rebeka of Chult

Looking up from the road Rebeka looked at the adventurers she had managed to convince her to help her. Each one of them looked formidable but she felt alone still. Shaking her head to snap out of the daze her trip down memory lane had given her, she focused on the task at hand. Rebeka of Chult she had introduced herself as. But without her partner, Charger, she felt alone. A knight without their steed was nothing and walking around carrying her lance felt awkward to wield.

The feeling of defencelessness didn’t help the feeling of unease as she passed more of the young warriors who were hunting for her companion. Their young and arrogant faces and calls made it worse but the party of adventurers she was with seemed confident and capable. They should be able to help her prove her companions innocence.

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Thoughts

This week is about a bond between knight and steed and I think its only fitting we glimpse or begin to unravel what that relationship looks like. I have more in store for tomorrow as we look deeper into the adventure but for now I think Rebeka is taking shape.

Olsen Atraven

No one has quite brought fame to Varendeep as Olsen Atraven. Olsen moved into the city of Varendeep and created a large mercenary guild that quickly amassed wealth, power and influence. With Olsen there is always a next step or a next stage of his plans and he is willing to reward people handsomely if they can further his agenda.

The party meet Varendeep as they are approached with an offer of a job by Olsen in disguise as a messenger. He likes to test adventurers to see if they would make a good addition to his guild, or, can be of use to him.

But despite his odd ways Olsen is a master strategist and has aided in the defence of Varendeep. Given its position it suffers many attacks and raids from the more bestial of races of the land. But Olsen and his guild have defended the city well. With his keen mind at the helm they rarely suffer a loss or casualty and the city grew.

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Varendeep

The party had made it to Varendeep. A impressive walled city that was well guarded and fortified heavily for attacks and raids. This was crucial as the many years it had scraped out an existence at the frontier of civilisation were trying. In fact its progress is rumoured to be the causation of a single man, Olsen Atraven.

The party had come here as they had heart word of the Guild of Varendeep offering items of power in exchange for jobs. However the promise of wealth and power always came at a price and many were not up to the tasks that were asked of them for the items that they desired.

But despite the jobs being difficult some of the artefacts that were promised in exchange of these jobs made even the most cowardly and timid of adventurers consider the offer. It was one such offer that drew the party to Varendeep this time. Like most guilds they had a guild hall and Varendeep’s guild hall was large and splendid. To enquire about such a quest that the guild had to offer one had only ask at the guilds counter and they would be looked after.

The deal

“We are here to enquire about the job that rewards the ring of wishes.” the party member spoke confidently. A slight hush descended across the guild hall as the receptionist look through a book before handing them a written letter. “Take this to Dern. He should be at the guild feasting hall into his third drink by now.” she said, a hint of either pity or annoyance in her voice.

After being shown the way to the feasting hall they were directed to a man sitting at a table with a few well armoured mercenaries. As they approached the two mercenaries left, ordering a round of drinks for the table as they left.

“I take it ye are here for my ring?” Dern said, his head covered in a hood. “Not just anyone can do it. Tell me about your selves. What have you accomplished heh?”

A short while later. “Hmm. Maybe you are what I have waited for. I need a strong set of limbs to get something for me. Flowers from the Stone Garden deep within Deepgrove Forest. It wont be easy and those who have gone before never return. But its the price I have put on the ring so if you want it. I’m guessing you best meet with the Guildmaster of Varendeep to finalise the contract.” he said as he stood slowly and removed his hood revealing a very different face.

The guildmaster of Varendeep

“I am Guildmaster Olsen Atraven. Apologies for deceiving you, I need to be sure that those who request this job are up to it. I think you have what it takes,” he paused for a moment, “well as much as any of those who came before you. Now, If you are willing and successful in this endeavour you will have my wing of wishes. It has two wishes left, both of which I can attest personally that they remain intact and ready for those who wish to use them.” he paused to drink. “Now are you the adventurers who I have waited for all these years?”

Imran Colderbek

No stranger to people, Imran is about as calculating as they come. Despite getting by with her looks and appearance she houses an intelligence, an animalistic cunning that gives her the nickname “the Wolf”. Despite being beautiful by most races’ standards, Imran is also a skilled combatant and has rarely, if ever, found herself an opponent that can measure up to her skill.

When she isn’t on a job and focusing on the next big win, a rare occurrence, she takes time away from it all. Prone to letting herself into abandoned manors, or using her charm and manipulative nature to make a manor abandoned she can make a home just about anywhere. As long as it’s up to her high standards and has at least four bedrooms to choose from.

But her background is anything but the fabulous life she lives now. Born as the lovechild to a maid in a nobleman’s household, she was kept a secret for many years. However due to a hereditary birthmark that was revealed when she was playing with her unknown sisters and brothers the infidelity was revealed. Instead of taking ownership of the situation the nobleman had her mother fired and murdered. Imran managed to escape through her grit and determination to survive but the invisible wounds of her fathers betrayal never left her.

Revenge

He was the first one she would target with her wrath. However it wasn’t until she met Anton that she had a convincing way to pull off her plan. Together they managed to convince her father to entrust Anton with their fortune before disappearing with it. Imran watched with glee as her father had everything he prided himself on ripped away like he did to her. The loss of a mother was replaced with the loss of an empire.

Anton Purlsun

Now not to be confused with his business partner, The Wolf, Anton is the Doe to the deadly Duo. Soft spoken, eloquent and gentle to a fault he will talk his way out of any situation before resulting to violence. Fond of bribery, only to steal it back later, he has one of those faces, voices and personalities that can see him get just about anywhere, anytime and get away with whatever he wants.

His story is a cliché one. Grew up with a loving family in a manor as heir to a large fortune his life was perfect. Well almost perfect. In fact his inquisitive nature and ability to persuade people to trust and believe him led him to discover something. The discovery that his parents weren’t his real parents. They were con-artists who were after his fortune and that he wasn’t the real heir after all.

Now a teenager when he found out this he made the bold choice to follow on with the ruse, pretending he knew nothing. But slowly he drove his fake parents apart, got them doubting each other’s intentions until the fateful day that they murdered each other. Now left an orphan, an incredibly rich orphan, he would inherit the wealth of his false heritage. Except the real heir showed up with undeniable proof that Anton was a fake. Now penniless and worth nothing he struck out by himself only to meet someone else scorned by the higher classes. A Wolf in a Doe’s clothing.

Combatants, Contestants and Contenders

Marie Turnburke

Born and raised in Finchford, Marie is the owner of The Five Fat Ravens Tavern. Once an adventurous youth she gave up on her dreams of exploration and uncovering mysteries and settled on feeding those who lived them. Business was good in Finchford and soon she had one of the more successful inns that was nearly booked out every week. Her food was a hit amongst the patrons but having a small stage for wandering bards is what really brought in the customers.

Live music, hearty food and tales of adventure was the theme of Marie’s inn. However despite her not pursuing her dream of adventure she still got to experience it. Living in the shadow of the ruins of the kings of old, the Dark Thrall Keep ruins had its perks. Many adventurers explore caves and the ancient forests in the area and the populace of the town always meant that there was adventure nearby. But darker tidings came with the proximity of the ruins and Marie kept a watchful eye on the empty battlements. And the sky.

James Herkorn

Known as Jim in the town of Finchford James Herkorn is a curious man who always has his eyes on the skies. When not working the cities market square he can be found reading legends of old. A bit of a hermit and recluse Jim will occasionally be seen in bars listening to adventurers and buying them drinks. A gatherer of knowledge and stories he seems to believe that these titbits of information are worth more than the items sold through the market.

Toby Loreain

Toby has always been a bit different. Instead of helping in the shop, or with dinner or cleaning he would be outside cutting open rats and birds. Blood and visceral gore always intrigued Toby and eventually one day he was attacked by other kids in the village. He wasn’t the same after when the village elders protected the bullies. He shrunk into himself and started to grow more and more distant. Having nightmares of uncontained violence that eventually he used to seek out instead of dread.

Now he mutters to things that no one else can see in the dark. Communicating with the shadows and the things no one else can see.

Salis Loreain

Now Salis is the older sister to Toby and has always looked out for her little brother. However she has grown increasingly worried about her brother as his dreams and nature becomes darker. She sought out the adventurers who ventured into her village to help her brother, convinced that some dark power had corrupted him. Little did she know how close she was to the truth.

She studies to be a priestess of Selune and has sworn to protect the innocent who dwell under the Moonmaiden’s light. But her studies were cut short when her mother asked her to come back to tend to her brother. However, she has a fellow priestess in a village a few days’ ride away and there she hopes to seek answers.

Gareth Loray

Born and raised in Hildebek Gareth has known most of the people in this town since he was a young lad. His parents were proprietors of the Lonely Buck, a drinking establishment turned gambling hall periodically during the years and now it falls on him to carry on the business. Single but not exactly mingling Gareth spends his time at The Lonely Buck. However, on the odd occasions that he isn’t working the tavern by himself he is looking after his elderly parents.

Since the sleeping sickness started to appear the tavern became less frequently populated. Looking for a way to keep his parents business afloat he turned to Tilly, the herbalist-come-alchemist. Gareth knew that she had a special potion that would give people the same energy as if they had slept for a full night. If he could mix this in with his food and beer he could continue to sell his wares and provide something that the town needed. Rest.

Tilandra Mossleaf

Tilly wasn’t born in Hildebek. In fact Tilly doesn’t remember where she was born. She remembers that she was part of a moving hut, a magical contraption that sold potions and salves to travellers on the road. As she grew in age she learnt from the woman who looked after her and found she had a natural talent for identifying herbs and fungi that could heal and help. 

When the woman died Tilly took over the herbalists wagon and eventually, tired of travelling, the moving hut stopped moving in the town of Hildebek. She has served as the Towns herbalist and healer for many years now and has watched many of the children come to adult-hood. One such Child is Gareth. Despite being one of the only elves in Hildebek she found friendship in the young tavern-owner’s son. Whilst not a romantic relationship they looked out for one another and with her knowledge of herbs his food and drinks always had an edge over the competition. 

When the sleeping sickness began to plague the town the people turned against her. As an Elf she does not need sleep and so they were seen as the cause of the illness. But Gareth and a few others stood up for Tilly and the other Elves.