Chp. 1: The Adventure Begins.....

[monk]

Abin, Cleric of Jascar

Abin feels a bit disoriented in the keep for, despite its roughness, it is still much more "urban" than any place he has dwelt. All the strangers pressing close, the walls all around you, and certainly all the talking, has brought about some acute social anxiety. He tries to play it cool, staying close to Br Bayard and trying to copy his polite mannerisms. He also donates a few coppers at the shrine of St. Cuthbert, but is relieved to be back out in the open air afterward.

Once back at the tavern, he mixes in quietly with his companions from the caravan, listening with rapt attention to the developments re: the caves. Finally, overcome with excitement, he blurts out, "We must go soon! Now, even! Let our blades burst this boil upon the virgin hills, our hammers crush the foulness that taints its pure...its hallowed...er...backside?"

Sheepish, and with ever-reddening face, he sits down and hides behind a large mug of ale, resolving to work on his preaching.

[Fearghus]

Fingal, Human Thief - At the Tavern

Fingal pats Abin on the back, "Any man-o-faith preach'n about burst'n on the backsides of virgins is welcome in my company". The theif drops 5 more gold for another round of honey mead, whether the drinker is ready for another or not.

[Bloodaxe]

Albertus Magnu, Human Cleric

Albertus, stays behind and helps a few of the elderly. in the merchant caravan, that have taken to illness. He watches as the rest of the adventures head off toward the Keep. Albertus, seeing that the fevors have broke and the elderly man and woman feel better packs his bags and heads to the Keeps door.

He looks up and notices the two guards perched long the entrance of the Keep."Greetings, up there! I am called Albertus... a priest in training. My duties call me to cleanse the lands of evil, helping those in need, and convert those that survive to the will of god. My I enter your Keep and see what assistance I may offer?"

ooc...If allowed to enter he fist makes his way to the local chapel. While there he will donate a few copper and introduce himself to the cleric. Asking him for advice and what evils this Keep and its locals. Instead of getting a room in the tavern. He will ask the cleric for bed and breakfast within the chapel itself. He will offer his services around the chapel and help out any means needed.

The caravan master gives you a pouch with 30 silver coins in it for helping guard the wagons.

---------------------------------------------------------

The Chapel of St. Cuthbert of the Cudgel

This large stone building is simple & unadorned on the outside, you hardly believe it is a church. The double doors open into a large worshipping area with many pews. At one end is a large statue of the saint himself, and altar & a poor box.

Three robed & hooded men move about cleaning & polishing. They look like Acolytes doing chores.
One points at his mouth & shakes his head "No". You are guessing he took a vow of silence.


Brother Bayard is also there.

[Bloodaxe]

Fingal, Human Thief - At the Tavern

Fingal pats Abin on the back, "Any man-o-faith preach'n about burst'n on the backsides of virgins is welcome in my company". The theif drops 5 more gold for another round of honey mead, whether the drinker is ready for another or not.

You hear a few rumors , but you don't know whats true.
- A beautiful maiden is lost in the caves, but she suffers from a terrible curse.
-There are giant spiders in the woods, almost as big as a horse.
- A powerful Wizard lives in the Caves of Chaos and destroys all intruders.

[Bloodaxe]

Magar the Stout, Magic-user

Upon arriving at the Keep Magar will inquire as to the availability of lodging. He is looking for something priced mid-ranged, preferably a private room. As he walks about he will keep an ear open for interesting conversation and appealing rumors. Should one strike his fancy, he will part with a silver coin to hear more.

You hear a few rumors, but you aren't sure they are true.

-There is a mad hermit who lives in the woods.
-There are tribes of big dog-men & little dog-men.
-An Elf disappeared travelling south by the marshes.

[mordrene]

Niles, fighter in the tavern

Niles, fighter in the tavern

Niles thanks Fingal for the drink. and, as the conversation goes on, once he hears about the 100gp reward, he perks up even more.

"So if there is a reward, we need to find out how to get there. Ill ask the others." with that, Niles will walk over to the other table and ask. '

"I hear there is a reward for survivors from the Caves of Chaos. My comrades and I need directions there so we can collect our money."

The man with the cape, looks tired & battered. The other three look like mercenaries, or adventurers. One is a thin wiry man with leather armor. The other is huge, tall & broad, the largest man you have ever seen. The last man is a warrior dressed in chainmail with a two-handed sword strapped to his back.

The man with the cape, who escaped from the caravan raid , glances up.
I can draw you a map, but I need some coin.

Niles gets excitet as he realizes he is among other adventurers and in the back of his head he believes he is fitting in. (the kid has no poker face)

"I have 2 gold and will also buy a round of drinks for my fellow heroes if you can show us the way to these Caves."


he looks back hoping the others from the caravan that accompanied him to the tavern are paying attention.

[Bloodaxe]

The man looks at you like you are crazy.
Hand over the coin. I'll give you a map, but Im not going anywhere.
He holds out one hand with the map and his other hand with his palm open.

[/url]

[MrHemlocks]

***Albertus, Human Cleric...The Chapel of St. Cuthbert of the Cudgel***

Upon enter the Chapel of St. Cuthbert, Albertus heads over the poor box and places in it the 30 silver he was given for staying with the merchant caravan. Looking up he spots what appears to be the head cleric. "Greetings brother. I am call Albertus. Though our gods are not the same we do share like values and beliefs...to help free these lands of the evils which plagues them. May I, so long as I stay in the Keep, be allowed to take up shelter within the walls of your chapel? I will help out as much as needed, when I have the free time, and will pay my way for both room and board." Albertus, bows his head, to show respect, and waits for the cleric's response.

[Grognardsw]

Foracor the Fleet / Tavern

The wood elf sips his mead ale (thinking: humans make such poor ale), surveys the tavern, listens to the rumors, notes how many caravan adventurers are there. He smiles a comely smile at the tavern wench server. The time seems right.

Fellow travellers, he exclaims, raising his mug to his gathered comrades. We came looking for coin and adventure, and the opportunity stands before us. Let us gather in fellowship to explore these Caves of Chaos, rescue prisoners, grasp what treasure we can, and fight evil all in one fell swoop! I propose we provision, seek this Keep’s ruler to confirm the rescue reward and ascertain definitive knowledge beyond rumor, and then strike out on our quest!

[Bloodaxe]

***Albertus, Human Cleric...The Chapel of St. Cuthbert of the Cudgel***

Upon enter the Chapel of St. Cuthbert, Albertus heads over the poor box and places in it the 30 silver he was given for staying with the merchant caravan. Looking up he spots what appears to be the head cleric. "Greetings brother. I am call Albertus. Though our gods are not the same we do share like values and beliefs...to help free these lands of the evils which plagues them. May I, so long as I stay in the Keep, be allowed to take up shelter within the walls of your chapel? I will help out as much as needed, when I have the free time, and will pay my way for both room and board." Albertus, bows his head, to show respect, and waits for the cleric's response.

One of the Acolytes leaves for a moment and returns with a stern looking priest. He nods at your words & donation.
I am Aberc, priest of St. Cuthbert. A servant of good is always welcome here. You may stay, but you will work. No carousing, no drinking, no foolishness while you stay here.
Come to cleanse the "Caves" have you? It may prove tougher than you think. I have heard whispers......rumors of a dark cult in the "Caves". Take this.
He hands you a cloth, inside are two vials of holy water.
He later leads you to a small sparsely furnished cell. Each Acolyte has one. Food is plain, but nourishing, the work hard. Cleaning, repairing, praying, weapons practice.

[monk]

Abin, Cleric of Jascar

I propose we provision, seek this Keep’s ruler to confirm the rescue reward and ascertain definitive knowledge beyond rumor, and then strike out on our quest!

"Here, here!", shouts Abin, lifting his ale into the air.

[thirdkingdom]

Abin, Cleric of Jascar

I propose we provision, seek this Keep’s ruler to confirm the rescue reward and ascertain definitive knowledge beyond rumor, and then strike out on our quest!

"Here, here!", shouts Abin, lifting his ale into the air.

Magar the Stout, Magic-user

"I concur!" exclaims the mage, "My heart aches for gold, and I see no profit in sitting here any longer than needed. Therefore, I shall throw my vote behind this proposal, with the addendum that we act posthaste! Let us not waste anymore time with foolishness!"

[MrHemlocks]

***Albertus, Human Cleric, Chapel***


Albertus thanks Aberc for his gift and allowing him to remain within the chapel so long as his stays at the Keep. Something is bugging Albertus and that is this 'thing' about the Caves of Madness. After a few hours of silence, work and meditation his curiosity gets to him. "Aberc, may I ask you for more information on this place you mentioned...Caves of Chaos? If it is as evil a place you hinted at and is led by a some evil cult than my duty calls me there...to cleanse it and free these lands of those evils? Do you agree kind sir?"

[Bloodaxe]

***Albertus, Human Cleric, Chapel***


Albertus thanks Aberc for his gift and allowing him to remain within the chapel so long as his stays at the Keep. Something is bugging Albertus and that is this 'thing' about the Caves of Madness. After a few hours of silence, work and meditation his curiosity gets to him. "Aberc, may I ask you for more information on this place you mentioned...Caves of Chaos? If it is as evil a place you hinted at and is led by a some evil cult than my duty calls me there...to cleanse it and free these lands of those evils? Do you agree kind sir?"

Aberc nods approvingly.
Caves of Chaos, not Caves of Madness. I have only heard rumors, so I don't know what is true, and what is false. The evil cult is said to have undead guardians. There are Orcs, Goblins and the like in great numbers in the caves. There is also said to be a maze near the caves where you lose all sense of direction once inside. A huge flesh-eating beastman dwells there. The maze is rumored to hold a great treasure.

[mordrene]

Niles, fighter in the tavern.

Niles pays the man for the map and buys his table a round of ale.
"Thank you good sirs. Seems my group and I will avenge your losses and rid this place of evil."

Niles turns to the rest of the party. " I've got the map. Lets go then and find our fortune."

(Sorry for not highlighting the dialogue. On a tablet and not a pc so I am learning how to post on it)

[MrHemlocks]

***Albertus, Human Cleric, Chapel***

Albertus, turns to Aberc. " I will be headed off to those Caves of Chaos soon. Before I do so I would like to look around the Keep and restock my supplies. Also, there were a few companions that traveled with the caravan that were looking for adventure. I will try to meet up with them and together can better clear out those caves. I thank you for your kindness and I hope to return soon."

Albertus gathers his supplies and heads off toward the inn. For he believes that the crowd he seeks will be there resting up.

[Grognardsw]

Foracor the Elf / Tavern

Well done, says Foracor the Elf to Niles as the young fighter returns with the map to the table of adventurers. They peer at the map, drink the next round of ale and discuss next steps.

Mayhap the Caves of Chaos be here, says Foracor, pointing to the skull in the northeast corner of the map. I propose we go to the watchtower, then onto the skull.

Let us consider the rumors we have heard:

Caves
- A powerful Wizard lives in the Caves of Chaos and destroys all intruders.
- The evil cult in caves is said to have undead guardians.
- There are Orcs, Goblins and the like in great numbers in the caves.
- A beautiful maiden is lost in the caves, but she suffers from a terrible curse.
- There is also said to be a maze near the caves where you lose all sense of direction once inside. A huge flesh-eating beastman dwells there. The maze is rumored to hold a great treasure.
- 100gp reward for each person rescued

Woods
- There are giant spiders in the woods, almost as big as a horse.
- There is a mad hermit who lives in the woods.
- There are tribes of big dog-men & little dog-men.
- An Elf disappeared traveling south by the marshes.

May it be wise to seek council from the Castellan, this Keep's ruler? He may have confirmation of such gossip, offer of reward coin, perhaps some hirelings, steeds or pack mules at the least. Let us go as one, and bring lawful sword and spell to bare against Chaos.

[by_the_sword]

Cailte Cadwallon, Halfling- The Tavern
To Niles:

Huzzah! I am with you.

[Bloodaxe]

As you are drinking at the Tavern, The One-Eyed Cat, Sabin the gatekeeper walks in with a few guards. Off duty now, they sit at a table and get drinks. Seeing your group he comes over.
Greetings. Near the Caves of Chaos is a ruined watchtower. There has been talk of activity there. Possibly Goblins or Orcs. Ive heard there are two tribes of Orcs living in the Caves. I also must inform you, there is a 10% tax on any recovered loot that comes through The Keep. Anyway,I wish you luck.

[Fearghus]

Fingal, Thief Tavern

"A ten percent tax?! But, that's high'way robbery", the thief says exasperated. Sighing he continues to the group, "So be it. Niles, lets have a look at that map, eh?"

Fingal looks at the map a bit and asks, "Where are these caves supposed to be? This map is a fraud. What about this old tower: is it under there or what? If it is I say we give a look for that lost elf on our way along the road". He traces his finger along the road, going east then north to the skull and cross-bones before tracing through the small tree line to the clearing with the tower. "What say you all? It's a good plan it is. Don't hesitate to say Fingal's right". He stands with his arms cross and a proud look upon his face.