I. Paying Debts

General Summary

Elmisday, 5803 Suncrest 23

At the edge of the Merchant's district, a strange assortment of people gather A tabaxi cleric offered a Blessing of Velthara to arguing passersby, earning herself a copper for a mug of what passed for weak ale but smelt more like goblin piss. A minotar paladin raises eyebrows and table edges alike as he makes his own way towards a drink. A dwarven monk joined the other patrons in their partaking of the piss-ale. A goblin paces outside the tavern, muttering to himself about his hatred of others. A brooding high elf sat at the bar, doing his best to drown his woes. Little did they know, they had all been invited by the same "friend" - a friend that he either trusts deeply, or owes a particular type of favor.

Nestled into the corner alley turned hearth tables of the Split Stave and The Copper Cauldron, each of these unsuspecting strangers found their friend at the Hearth of Plenty. Unbenownst to them, as they each approached Behram Talverson - human and well known merchant and man-about-town, they were not the only one he had asked to meet him. After some hushed debate, each of them agreed to hear Behram's request out. A quick relocation to the quietest corner of the hum-drum Split Stave situated each of these strangers with an option. Ultimately, each one agreed, for their own reasons.

Given the gravity of the task they had been asked to handle, the gathered strangers, now know as Ash, Max, Boran, Tort, and Vaelin, asked for lodgings for the evening, as to set out in the morning fully rested and the more ready to go. Behram obliged, taking them to his own Radiant Dawn Inn. Each of them were offered and partook in a meal of great deliciousness as Behram prepared their lodging arrangements. He provided the suite to Ash, Vaelin and Tort, where not one of them used a bed that evening; Ash first claimed the bay windows, with Tort next claiming the wardrobe as his domain, while Vaelin finds himself uncomfortable in beds and preferred to sleep on the floor. Meanwhile, Max got to enjoy his own single room with an extra-large bed. However, Boran found himself feeling a bit too large for his space in a Smallfolk's single room.

Waking well rested, nonetheless, the group slowly congregates for breakfast, except for Tort, whom Ash trudges back to the suite to wake for the day. With their bellies full and pocket-bacon stashed, they foot their way through the Parishes, eventually coming and passing The Gateway - a chaotic hub of commerce.

At last leaving the city, the group managers a bit further along their path before finding a cluster of apple trees alongside a thin, shallow stream. Much to her surprise, Ash notices a symbol on one of the eldest apple trees. Locating the hallow was an easy feat once she knew what she was looking for. Immediately noticing what it was, she ran back to her back and retrieved her precious bird carcass, placing it in the hallow as trade for the delicious wine skin she generously shared with her new comrades around their campfire.

Although a watch was placed, Vaeln becomes suspicious of some footprints within their campsite, but chalks it up to the campsite being frequented by many others before them who may have left impressions not seen by the glow of the campfire. Heedless, they set out, pursuing the stolen caravan they are to retrieve for Behramn.
Upon coming to a fork in the road that was not disclosed on the map from their friend, they follow their instincts and stick to the right - where the deeper wagon tracks are showing a path more traveled. However, an hour or so down their new path, they begin to question their decision. Tort, given his small size and incredible agility, scurries up to the top of a tree to catch a view of where they are. All around, he see's the tops of other trees, birds diving in an out, and can see the divergence from the other path they had not taken. And, although he's not entirely sure - he thinks he see's smoke ahead on their path!