The Bellmaker
2010-06-21, 06:21 PM
The Gilded Dagger. A particularly popular inn in a town so small that is known only as The Crossroads. Tending mostly to the 'Wandering Hero' demographic, the town holds only the inn, a small merchant's sector, and a blacksmith, seeming more a trading post than anything else.
The sign above the inn's door depicts a particularly ornate jeweled and runed dagger, with a hilt of gold, along with the name of the inn in remarkably neat painted letters. The rest of the building is similarly well-built and well-kept, though not particularly ostentatious.
The main room of the inn is, in keeping with it's target patrons' expectations and desires, a suitably shadowy barroom, with...more dark corners than one would reasonably expect from a typical rectangular building. in a few of them, whispered conversations are being held between enigmatic cloaked men and small groups of heavily armed mercenar-...ahem, heroes.
You find yourself here, just beginning your own journey into the wider world of adventure, sitting at a table with three other figures in a similar position to yourself. Though you know naught of their motivations, they seem...colourful enough, and, luck beyond luck, each has broached the topic of travelling together simultaneously with yourself!
The only questions remaining to you are where you shall travel first, and what you shall call yourselves. A number of interesting rumours have been circulating around the inn, and any one of them could prove to be the stepping stone towards your own goals!
It is said that there is considerable consternation to the south, in the capital, where there is said to be some manner of trouble involving the Royal family. Varying reports claim the Duke to have fallen ill, gone mad, or even been assassinated, and some believe that the bastard son of his brother may be somehow involved with whatever trouble is manifesting itself. All accounts agree only that all is not well.
To the east, of course, war is brewing with Pel Brolenon, and an enterprising soul may find all manner of opportunities. Word has it that scouts and spies are needed by the army, and that Orc and Goblin slavers are taking advantage of the chaos and stepping up their raids.
To the west are the lands of Baron Uther, Lord of Laus. It is a much less common story, told in hushed whispers, that a new religious sect has incited a revolution among the peasantry, despite Lord Uther's noble rule and just nature. One man whispered of the 'Void' before being hushed quickly by his neighbor. The conversation rapidly changed, after that.
Of course, tales of lost treasure and ancient ruins are common throughout the Duchy, and to the north an old ruined monastary is said to lie somewhere to the west of great Mount Erolpex, itself a legend for the hidden caverns said to be held within, filled with gold and gems. Judging by the disappearance rate of adventurous types in the area, there may just be something to the rumours.
The sign above the inn's door depicts a particularly ornate jeweled and runed dagger, with a hilt of gold, along with the name of the inn in remarkably neat painted letters. The rest of the building is similarly well-built and well-kept, though not particularly ostentatious.
The main room of the inn is, in keeping with it's target patrons' expectations and desires, a suitably shadowy barroom, with...more dark corners than one would reasonably expect from a typical rectangular building. in a few of them, whispered conversations are being held between enigmatic cloaked men and small groups of heavily armed mercenar-...ahem, heroes.
You find yourself here, just beginning your own journey into the wider world of adventure, sitting at a table with three other figures in a similar position to yourself. Though you know naught of their motivations, they seem...colourful enough, and, luck beyond luck, each has broached the topic of travelling together simultaneously with yourself!
The only questions remaining to you are where you shall travel first, and what you shall call yourselves. A number of interesting rumours have been circulating around the inn, and any one of them could prove to be the stepping stone towards your own goals!
It is said that there is considerable consternation to the south, in the capital, where there is said to be some manner of trouble involving the Royal family. Varying reports claim the Duke to have fallen ill, gone mad, or even been assassinated, and some believe that the bastard son of his brother may be somehow involved with whatever trouble is manifesting itself. All accounts agree only that all is not well.
To the east, of course, war is brewing with Pel Brolenon, and an enterprising soul may find all manner of opportunities. Word has it that scouts and spies are needed by the army, and that Orc and Goblin slavers are taking advantage of the chaos and stepping up their raids.
To the west are the lands of Baron Uther, Lord of Laus. It is a much less common story, told in hushed whispers, that a new religious sect has incited a revolution among the peasantry, despite Lord Uther's noble rule and just nature. One man whispered of the 'Void' before being hushed quickly by his neighbor. The conversation rapidly changed, after that.
Of course, tales of lost treasure and ancient ruins are common throughout the Duchy, and to the north an old ruined monastary is said to lie somewhere to the west of great Mount Erolpex, itself a legend for the hidden caverns said to be held within, filled with gold and gems. Judging by the disappearance rate of adventurous types in the area, there may just be something to the rumours.