You are young adventurers in the land of Karameikos, setting out to seek fame and fortune. Karameikos is a great, wide, young nation; a country of hills and mountains to the north, of verdant woodland, forest, and rolling farmland to the south. There are ample opportunities for adventure in this vast country, and you have left your homes to prove yourselves.
If you are a human character you were born in one of the small towns on the Duke’s Road, the trade route that runs from the far-distant capital of Specularum to the south into the northern Altan Tepes mountains and beyond. Just before you left, your tutor the kindly soul who first taught you the rudiments of skill in your chosen career had a few last words of wisdom for you, and wished you good luck and good fellowship on your journey. Taking the equipment you needed and the little money you had, you set out on a cool, crisp early autumn dawn to see what your destiny might bring. . .
If you are a halfling, you have come from a small community of the little folk along the Duke’s Road, where you have lived with humans. Halflings are curious creatures, and while hot food (lots of it!) and a good fire in the hearth are pleasures to return home to, something tells you that a young halfling should be a bit more ambitious. This shocked some of the more sedate souls in your family, but you were not to be deterred. You’ve chosen to seek your fortune along the road, and set off to see who may have need of your skills!
If you are an elf, you have traveled some way from your clan and home. From the cool, leafy tree-houses of your people, in the southeastern Karameikan forests and woodlands, you have trekked. You have chosen to head for the bustling towns and cities of the human folk to see what excitement and adventures may be found there. With a sheathed sword or small book of magic, you bring your skills as a warrior or wizard with you. The final advice of the old elf who taught you understanding of steel and magic is still in your ears, and you hope that you have learned well what he taught you!
If you are a dwarf, you have grown tired of the tradition and regular habits of your clan in their subterranean homes in the foothills west of the Shutturgal River. You have many happy memories of your home, where gnomes and dwarves share their work and laughter, but you feel wanderlust. Such is the way of many young dwarves. After traveling, most dwarves return to their homes, but they feel the same incurable desire to see something of the great world beyond their heartland as you do. The grumpy old dwarf who taught you how to use a weapon and to feel comfortable in armor, had good advice for you, and you think this over as your tired feet trudge along the road.
Duke's Road Map:
Arrival to Stallanford
You have arrived at the town of Stallanford, on the Duke’s Road. The town is bustling and busy, with many visitors and merchants’ wagons seeking hostels and stables for horses. This is no ordinary day, for tomorrow is the first day of the King’s Festival! Karameikos has no king, but this long-held festival honors a great hero of the distant past, King Halav. Long before Karameikos was a nation, King Halav of the Traldar folk fought with his warriors against evil Beast-Men. In a great battle, Halav and the king of the Beast-Men fell, but the evil ones fled and the safety of the humans was ensured.
You’re rather late in arriving, and many folk are asleep. You sniff the pleasing aroma of cooking meat and warm bread, and you make for the tavern, the Hungry Halfling, for a meal and some rest. The inn is busy, but you find a table right away. The friendly old halfling who owns the hostelry charges 5 silver pieces for dinner, a bed, and breakfast. It’s good value though the joint of beef you see on the table will fill your stomach after your long journey!
The players all bump into one another here at the tavern use this time to introduce yourselves to one another.
