Chapter 1, Day 1 Afternoon: Drellen's Ferry

"We are traveling and simply are looking for a place to rest and heal our wounds. We were attacked by Hobgoblins not far from here." the wizard states flatly. He's too tired and famished to show much emotion other than weariness.

"A lively place with fine ale would do wonders right about now. We've had a rough day." I stand a little straighter, grimacing through the pain of my wounds, but managing to maintain eye contact with the townsfolk. "The name's Xara, by the way. Perhaps you have heard of me?"

Pleased with the welcome we are given, I smile and nod slightly to the guards after double checking that my holy symbol is still hung around my neck, displayed on my chest. As we pass the guards, I voice my vote, "If the town guards speak highly of the place, I think we should try that one."
On our way to the inn, I survey our surroundings, particularly the "town square" across the street from the inn

The "Jarret's Sundries" sign piques my interest as I wonder if there are supplies we will be needing. I make a mental note to bring that Noticing the stone tower marked "Armory", I wonder out loud, "A public armory?" before continuing into the bustling inn with the rest of the group.

"Given our run in on the road, keeping a public armory seems like a smart idea," Zaris says to Kaiakas. "I wonder if there is a library around here?" he says aloud, mostly to himself. Zaris is still interested in reading up more on the silver concoction used on the were beast back weeks ago. And besides, one can learn a lot about an area by seeing what books they have collected.

"You all go ahead into the Inn. I'm going to find the library and see what I can learn about silvering weapons and perhaps a bit more about this Tiamat fellow in these parts." Zaris wanders off back towards the guards to have them point him in the right direction.

I take a look around, breathing in the hustle and bustle of the town. I can't help but wonder- if I were to, say, practice my craft... who would the best targets be? As I enter the inn, I nonchalantly look around in earnest.

"A library sounds like a good idea Zaris, I think I'll join you and see if I can't find out anything more on Tiamat." I wearily gather up my supplies and join the Mage in the search for knowledge

I give the halfling a nod and a smile. I am fully capable of playing nice. I should probably save my skills for a more difficult task anyway. Parting drunk half-elves from their gold is child's play.

I immediately head towards the back right corner of the room to where the card games are being played. My goal is to listen in on the latest gossip. I'm especially curious as to whether anyone else is aware of the sort of dangers that await us in the woods.

"Sentiern the Wise I presume?" Zaris says with the utmost respect. "We were directed to you by the town's guard. We've come from a rather respectable distance and were attacked by hobgoblins during our travels. One of them carried an artifact we believe to associated with the dragon god Tiamat and we were hoping to ask for your insight."

Not understanding the exchange between the thieves, I watch Xara walk toward the card games and find a table nearby where I can watch her. Should someone come by for my order, I will get a simple meal with a small glass of wine.

I toss him the symbol of Tiamat with an easy underhand. "I s'pose its a good thing we were the ones on the road, else they'd have succeeded in their ambush." I look around at the books, idly wondering if there's a forgotten tome that could aid me in getting rid of my demonic obligation

"The hobgoblins had no provocation from us and Tiamat is a god; could there be a following of that multiple headed beast? Zaris asks smiling at the cup of tea that flew into the room.

Zaris turns to Rurik as the symbol floats gently towards him. "Then it would seem we have stumbled into something most sinister here my friends," he says with a frown. He leans back in his seat and motions to Sentiern to look at the book further.

"I came across a band of those myself. Nothing I couldn't handle. How long did you say those brigands have been wreaking havoc around these parts? Weeks? Months?" I continue watching the card game. We have some time to kill, perhaps a game is in order...

Zaris sighs gently and rises to his feet. "No, thank you greatly for your time. You've been most helpful." The wizard rises and makes his way to the door and back to join the others at the Inn.

Zaris rises again almost as quickly as he sat down and politely points to the empty chair. "By all means, please."

Zaris steps over and offers his hand to the two. "I am Zaris. This seems like a pretty big problem Norro. What makes you think adding a few more of us will be enough to help?"

I glide over to the table and introduce myself. "The name's Xara Stormwind. Perhaps you've heard of me? We'd be glad to help, but before we sign up to risk our lives to save yours, what sort of compensation are ya offering? At minimum we would need food, supplies, suitable weapons and armor. What say you?" It's not about the money. It's the principle of the thing. Someone wants help, they should be willing to pay for it.

"Yes yes Xara, we will need equipment!" Zaris says, slightly annoyed. "But we're talking about aggressive groups-large groups-of hobgoblins. Compensation is worth nothing if we face insurmountable odds!" He shifts his gaze from Xara back to Norro.

"Insurmountable odds? No need to be overdramatic, Zaris. We're just having a conversation here, aren't we?" I cross my arms and wait for more information to follow. Surely there are other guards or townsfolk who are even more invested in ridding the forests of the hobgoblin nuisance.

Visibly uncomfortable at the demand of monetary compensation, I steer the conversation back to the matter at hand. "Please, tell us more."

Zaris shakes his head. "We are grossly outnumbered!

I look up from my morose contemplations at the mention of evil magic "what kinds of evil magic?"

Taking a deep breath and looking at the expressions of his companions, Zaris nods. "If everyone else agrees then I will do what I can."

"Alright, I'm in. But in case we don't live to see that 500 gold, how about you give us half upfront and we collect the other half when we finish the job? Once that is settled, I swear on my honor as a lady that I will do everything that I can to purge your town of this menace!"

Giving careful consideration to convincing the hobgoblins to leave and go back to their home, I smile and nod. "We will absolutely help, Mister Speaker." I turn to Soranna. "Captain, can you tell us where we might find these creatures? Do they have camps nearby?"

Watching Xara's expression Zaris nods in agreement.

"'Til morning? Alright, I suppose I can wait until then. We'll discuss our plan of action tonight. Is that all you can tell us?"

"If it's all the same to you Xara, I would suggest we talk quickly," the wizard says. "I will need sufficient time to prepare myself for this...excursion tomorrow." He looks to each of his comrades with a look of utmost seriousness. "I am all willing to help, but this seems highly dangerous for a small group such as ourselves."

I turn to Zaris with a lighthearted smile, "Think of the good we could do by saving this town."

Zaris chuckles and smiles back at Kaiakas. "Yes, I suppose you're right. Let's just be careful and prepared!

"To goodness! No other questions, good man." I pat Norro on the shoulder, then turn back to my companions. "We've much to drink and discuss. Preferably in that order."

Nodding in agreement, Zaris walks back to the Inn, finds a nice comfortable chair at a large table near the fire and orders up a plate or roasted meat and vegetables. No sense fretting with an empty stomach he thinks to himself before opening up his spell book and carefully considering his options.

I head over to Zaris' table and plunk down next to him. "The same for me! And a round of your finest ale! Who am I to pass up a free meal? We may not live to see another!" I drum my fingers on the table before addressing Zaris. "Got something in that book of yours that will help us, or are ya just reading to calm your nerves?"

Some time later, Corban stumbles up to where Zaris and Xara are enjoying their ale. "Where in the hellsh have you two been? Shhome clown down at the bar bet me I couldn't polishhh 6 bottles of Gnomish bitter. HAR Jokes on him... " With that, Corban unceremoniously flops himself to the floor near the fire, a confused expression on his face.

"Did we get new friends? I could have sworn there was only one Xara when we got to this town... Oh well... whells. Say Zaris, can we go practice fireballs?" Before Zaris can have a chance to respond, nothing but snores are coming from Corban's slumped form.

Shortly after Corban passed out on the floor, I step in looking particularly pleased will myself "well that was worth the gold it cost to keep him from making the obnoxious jokes for an evening." I join the rest at the table "Do, mass quantities of hobgoblins stand between us and funding for future endeavors?"

"Well thank you much graciously," Zaris exclaims. He puts down his spell book and eats deliberately and quickly. "Excellent goat meat!" He says in the direction of the kitchen, but much too quietly for anyone to hear. Seeing Xara approach, the wizard smiles and thumbs through his book again.

"I'm still very much an academic at all of this spell casting," he admits with a bit of embarrassment. "I wish I had more to offer, but these things take a great deal of time. They continue to eat and chat about their mission tomorrow.

"Corban!" Zaris exclaims as the man drunkenly walks into the room. "Do you really think this is best right before we-" Zaris doesn't bother finishing his thought has Corban slumps, snoring on the ground.

"Why yes, Rurik. I believe so. However, thanks to my excellent skills in negotiating, we'll get half payment in the morning. They sure do have a lot of faith in my, I mean our, abilities."