Late in the afternoon on a crisp September day, six strangers were drinking at the Shining Pearl Inn on the outskirts of the City of Sapphires when a desperate monk burst into the Inn distraught. The monk was cloaked in deep blue robes and had a shiny, shaved head. His deep blues matched the cloak that marked him as a Monk of the Sapphire Empress, and when scanning the crowd his eyes locked upon a handsome man standing in the shadows by the bar.
“Victor!” the monk cried as he ran over to the man. “The goddess has sent you here to help me! Your noble family is a blessing upon the land.”
Victor Redgrave shifted uneasily, as the monk had just brought much attention to him – attention that he was desperately trying to avoid. This is when he realized he had failed to hide in shadows.
The monk didn’t notice Victor’s unease, and launched into describing a horrible blight that had come upon the mines closest to the Sapphire Pool Shrine. He had appealed to the Senate to send a force to investigate the area, but it would be months before his request could be met, so he had come in search of adventurers who would do this great civil service.
It was then that a large man who had been drinking at the bar next to Victor turned around and bluntly asked if there would be reward money involved with this venture.
“Absolutely!” the monk replied. “In addition to the blessing of the Sapphire Empress, I will grant 500 gold pieces to the party who can bring back the most information of what has happened to the workers of the gold mines closest to our shrine.”
Steve Stevenson, living for gluttony and adventure, smiled at the monk.
A few other evesdroppers had also shimmied their greedy tooshies up to the bar to indulge in the over-generous monk’s offer. An old woman wearing thin robes, identified herself as Caranuba along with a lovely elven maid named Doralia with a belt with crimson daggers strapped to her waist and a glinting golden ring.
A tall young man then came up uncomfortably behind Victor, looking longingly at Victor’s lean frame and tussled hair. Doran Thexplorer thought to himself, “That is a face I will follow into battle. I also like his shoes,” and quickly joined the ranks of the party.
Across the bar a beautiful woman played the lute watched the group forming across the room. Never to be a shrinking violet and never one who takes kindly to others being the focus of attention she readily deserves, she marched over and interjected herself into the middle of the party. Victor’s mouth dropped and a little drool formed at the corner of his mouth. Doran quickly stepped between Victor and the redheaded Williamina Silvertounge.
The next day, after Williamina had charmed the merchants to selling her very cheap horses and supplies for the entire party, the group left on the three-day journey to the Sapphire Pool Shine.
During the first watch of the first night, an unfortunate wolf stumbled upon Steve Stevenson patrolling the grounds of the camp. In one powerful blow, the incredibly strong and agile Steve beheaded the beast without another soul in the camp knowing.
On second watch, the time past uneventfully as Doran made a crown from woven dandelions. As Doran drifted to sleep, the mysterious Doralia kept watch, but it had only been an hour when her high girly screams awoke the entire camp to find her bloodied and trying to fend off two wolves.
Fortunately, her new friends came to the rescue and dispatched the foul creatures. Williamina was even kind enough to play a few notes and partially heal some of Doralia’s many wounds.
…and the saga continues…
Categories:
Adventure |
