Turn 1.0
Sent: 10/25/98
Maybe you're just passing through Nesor, or perhaps this has been your home for a while, now. In any case, you saw the note posted on the door of the tavern, calling for adventurers to aid the Knights of Rinder. Intrigued, you inquired within....
The tavern is fairly quiet, and only about half full. As one enters, he sees the bar along the wall to the right, a fireplace on the far left wall, and some round tables between the two. At one of these tables, a tall man sits, his chain mail draped over the back of a chair next to him, his shiny silver helmet glistening. No doubt about it, this man is not your ordinary, run-of-the-mill commoner.
Over the course of the evening, many people approach the man, speak with him briefly, and then leave. When the night is over, he retires to a room upstairs.
It is morning, now, and just outside the tavern the same man stands waiting, wearing his armor, helmut under his arm, a sword on his waist. A small group of men have gathered around him, of which you are one. After a while he looks around at the faces of those who have arrived and announces: "I think everyone is here who is going to be here. Let us go inside." With that, he turns and enters the building, followed by the group.
Inside the bartender stands behind the bar, drying out some mugs. A young woman, perhaps his daughter, is wiping down a table at the other end of the room. The man walks over to his table, the same one from last night, and stands on the other side. "Pull some chairs 'round," he instructs. As he begins his talk, six chairs are pulled up and occupied. The man begins to speak.
"Good morning, men, I am Nigel, a Knight of the Kingdom of Rinder. I live to serve and protect our King, King Garith the Third. I have summoned you all here today because I need a few good men. I'm going to send you on a mission, one of critical importance to myself, to the Knights, and to the King.
"As you may well know, our fair Kingdom is bordered in the east by the River Sinele, over which lies the Orcish lands," as he says this his face grows visibly darker. "And in the south by the Kingdom of Caerloon.
"The King has a line of forts along these borders, perhaps you have encountered one in your travels. They are about three days' journey apart, and serve as our border guard. There have been minor skirmishes, raids, and other crossings by enemies of the King for the past hundreds of years. But over the past month, since the last feast day, we have noticed a sharp increase in the number of raids originating in Caerloon. The King's advisors fear that these new raids could be trying to 'soften us up' before a major invasion like we saw 350 years ago.
"We have managed to gather some information, for which we paid a high price, which tells us that a new man is responsible for executing and personally leading these raids. His name is Mazen. Don't forget that name.
"Should you choose to accept this mission, you will be tasked with hunting down this ...fiend... and kill him in the name of the King of Rinder. It is critically important that this ...animal... be stopped before he becomes more than just an annoyance.
"You can accomplish this task in any manner you see fit, but it must be done within the next thirty days. I do not expect that all of you will return. Mazen is well guarded, and his men are a force to be reckoned with.
"I recommend you begin travel along the road south. After two days travel you will arrive at one of our forts. You will be allowed to join the border-guards on their patrols, from which you might be able to track down your target. When you have completed the mission, you are to return here, to Nesor, and report to me, here.
"You will each be payed 75 gold pieces upon completion of the mission. I see that not all of you carry suitable weapons or armor. I am prepared to supply each of you with a Broad Sword and a suit of leather armor, if you wish. If you need other equipment, tell the bartender that I sent you and he will supply you with what you need at a discounted price.
"Are there any questions?"
Do you have any questions for the Knight? If so, now is the time to ask!
Once all questions are answered, the Knight supplies anyone with the sword and armor who needs it before leaving. You may, at this point, introduce yourself to the rest of the group (your introductions will be integrated into my next post). Once all introductions are made, the party can begin to travel along the road southward, unless anyone wants to pursue another course of action.
1. Questions for the Knight?
2. Do you want a Broad Sword or suit of Leather Armor?
3. Do you need any other supplies from the bartender?
4. Introduce yourself.
5. Do you begin to travel south, or do you have another idea?
Please send copies of all your correspondence to me so that I can integrate everything into the next post. And, as always, if you have any questions, please feel free to ask. I am still waiting for confirmation of Character Information Sheets from some people, you know who you are, please get those back to me!