Threshold
The first day of the last month of spring is a new moon. The adventurers have been in Threshold for a month at least, drawn by the promise of adventure, of riches, and of glory. Two days prior they received a summons from Seneschal Flavia, the right hand of Baron Halaran, the ruler of Threshold, and met with her in her office in town.
The party was told that they were one of three parties the Baron has decided to grant a Ducal Charter to. "The Duke has been urging his Barons to explore and map the land surrounding their domains," she said, "and this Charter will aid you in that. Present it to any of the Duke's nobles, or any military outpost, and you will be granted what aid and succor they can provide. It is our goal to explore and tame the rich wilderness that surrounds us." Flavia handed the adventurers a map*. "This was made by order of the Duke. As you can see, it has been divided into a number of 'hexes', each on approximately eight miles from face to face. It is the Baron's desire that the land surrounding Threshold be explored and mapped, and any threats either dealt with by you or brought to the Baron's attention. Secondary goals are as follows:"
She listed several goals, to whit:
1. Of primary importance is finding a pass through the mountains north so that we may construct a road into Darokin. Right now all mercantile travel is by way of the Duke's Road, and the Baron would like some of that trade to flow south, through Threshold. "We are much close to Darokin than Penhaligon is," she said, "but they get the lion's share of the trade through there. The Baron has offered a reward of 1000 gold royals to whomever can find such a route."
2. Of secondary importance would be finding potential routes south and east through the hills to both Highforge, the gnomish enclave, and Penhaligon. Such a route is worth five hundred royals.
3. The final item is of great personal importance to the Baron. His niece, the popular cleric Aleena, was slain several months prior by a wizard named Bargle. A group of adventurers tracked Bargle to the ruined Keep at the edge of Lake Windrush (see the Maps thread, subhex 23.21) and cleared the ruins, only to have Bargle escape at the last minute. He was last seen fleeing west, into the mountains. The Baron has placed a reward of ten thousand royals and a knighthood to anyone who can bring him Bargle, dead or alive.
She then handed the adventurers the map and Charter. "You are free to accomplish this however you would like," the adventurers are told, "and in whatever fashion, although I would recommend that you not linger. There are two other groups of adventurers who seek the same goals!"
1. A great beast stalks the logging camps to the north of Threshold, that line the banks of Lake Windrush. No one is quite sure what manner of beast it is, as the few tracks it leaves behind are strange and unnatural. It is a man-eater, though, and has already claimed the lives of eight loggers. The owner of the largest camp has offered a magical blade as a reward for slaying the beast.
2. Arcane magic is not allowed in Threshold, and so the few powerful mages that dwell in the area have erected towers nearby. One of them, Namar One-eye, has offered a bounty on strange and unusual creatures, brought to him dead or alive. No one knows what he intends to do with them.
3. A local merchant has a letter he needs delivered to Penhaligon within a fortnight, and no caravan is slated to travel there within that time frame. He's offering a sum of 100 gold royals to any who can deliver it in time.
4. The annual Gnomish Caravan is scheduled to depart Highforge in on Yarthmont 7, headed south for Specularum. The gnomes always hire on Men as guards for the journey south. The adventurers would have to travel to Highforge quickly, but they should be able to reach it in time should they decide to hire on as guards.
