Gameplay - The Dragon Who Took Too Little

A dragon has been collecting a tribute from the small town of Allaya's Cove once a week for over fifty years. Two weeks ago, the demands stopped and no one has heard anything from the dragon.

The Dragon is somewhat mysterious and not often spotted. (The tribute is left in a cave, rather than given to it on a public ceremony.) Rumor varies, but it may be a lighter metallic (brass, copper, gold).

The town is smallish, about fifty families. Situated between hot, dry mountains and the edge of a salty sea (semi-tropical), the main industries are fishing, gathering salt for export, and handycraftsmanship. The reason for the latter is that the dragons tribute demands, left as written instructions each week at the cave where the prior week's tribute is left, include hand crafted items, so over fifty years, the town has developed marketable skill. Naturally, the townsfolk often grumble that the value of the tribute would make all the difference in their well being.

A further industry is shallow water barge shipping along the coast.

The tavern is busy, bursting even. Townsfolk have gathered to discuss the situation, and they are doing so vociferously, loudly even. The mayor, Aberwell, stands on a table waving his arms for attention. Hester, the proprietor whistles long and hard, the whistle she uses to quell out of control merriment when the ale has flowed too freely. The townsfolk immediately quiet, instinctively fearing being drug out by their ears. Again.

Aberwell coughs delicately. "Thanks, Hester. I've heard your concerns. Some of you welcome the relief from the Tribute, and suggest we let sleeping dragons lie. There is wisdom in that. Some of you fear that if we don't continue to deliver it, the dragon's wrath will be as terrible as can be imagined. Indeed, I fear the same. The wisest among you know the truth, that the dragon keeps the countryside clear of dangers that the youngest of us have never had to worry about." He nods. "Aye, my friends, think on that. We have no other real defenses from the sorts of bandits that prey on the weak."

Arguments arise again, and the voices shout concerns about 'the superstitions and fears of others' who no doubt 'exaggerate a missing comb to roving bandit armies'. Those of you from the town might be inclined to agree. Travelers tell tall tales, and you've never really had to fend off such threats as they claim lurk behind every bush.

Those of you from beyond the tranquil coastal land around Allaya's Cove know these are no mere rumor. Bandits, and much, much worse. It's not that the greater world is a land of predation and misery, but there are bad times that the locals seem to have lived without in their quiet lands.

The mayor raises his arms again, and the townsfolk gush themselves, sensing the gist of the matter at hand.

"I call for a team of brave people, to seek out the dragon, and determine its fate. Only when we know, can we plan our future. Who volunteers for this mission?"

"Haha My name is Trev Flameborn from the house Flameborn I am a dragon hunter I will find this beast for you. Steps up who is with me my fellow adventures

Being an outsider Ruby doesn't speak up at first concerning this issue, instead simply listening to the issue. At the mention of bandits she stands on top of her seat, speaking in a loud voice. "I am Ruby Tealeaf, and I will join you on this quest. I have seen the consequences of an unprotected town, it would be a tragedy for the same to happen here."

As the argument consumed the tavern, Altrix reached down and struck a match against the table and lit his pipe. He puffed on the pipe for a moment before exhaling deeply through his nose, the smoke surrounding his face. It was almost too good to be true he thought to himself. He had come to Allaya's Cove a few weeks ago, drawn to the town by the rumours of the dragon. Since he had come to the town, he had been considering how to approach the dragon's lair and that was not something one did casually or alone. Now there was a party being sent to see what had happened to the dragon.

Altrix considered the dragon's behaviour and the way in which it protected the town against the roving banditry and from the other terrors that surrounded it. That was a good sign and it was enough to make Altrix eager to investigate. Despite his discomfort at presenting himself before a crowd, Altrix steeled himself and downed what was left of the weak beer.

After a resupplying his pipe and taking a deep puff, he moved to the front to join the others.

"I can tell you that the dangers that surround your town is no joke and without that dragon's protection, you would be far worse off than you are now. It won't take long before the bandits and worse realise that your protection is gone. I will go to see what has happened to it."

Iathos perks up at the announcement. "Ooooh! Dragons! Adventure! Escaping Al-Jabar's bloody alchemical lessons! This hideous day is looking up." He swiftly quaffs his burbon.

A half-drunk Tiefling giggles loudly before proclaiming:

"A missing dragon? Mysterious goings on? Vague dangers of uncertain degree? Most excellent! Count me in!."

He weaves somewhat unsteadily toward the Mayor and the other adventurers.

Hasan (being part of the city's meager guard) walks up to the pipe smoking kobold and gently taps him on the shoulder. "I think it would be wise to use that on the balcony. Less chance of setting the tavern aflame."

He then stands near the kobold, "I too shall take up the mantle. I believe it is my duty to help!"

"Excellent, excellent. Urm, dragon hunter? Thank you, miss Tealeaf. Ah, very astute, master kobold. Another one! Hasan, I knew I could count on you." He nods in approval. "I have one more in mind, but I thank everyone for coming. Hasan, since you know the way, if you could show these volunteers the way to my house? We can discuss the details of the mission." He bows to the barmaid/proprietor, and tries to exit the tavern. Many locals vie to get their last words in, and he listens with growing impatience but never loses his poise.

Arriving at Aberwell's house, the group is met with the incongruous sight of a mail-clad figure whistling merrily while chopping firewood.

"Ah, you're here. I was starting to think I'd have to go see about the dragon all by myself."

The speaker is a handsome half-elf who regards each volunteer in turn with twinkling eyes underneath tousled blond hair. This is the knight-errant Valinar von Liechtenstein. Though newly arrived only two days ago, he has already won the locals over not just with his boyish charm, but also with his down-to-earth demeanor - a quality rare among nobility. Yesterday alone, Valinar fixed John the blind thatcher's leaky roof, mended Simon the fisherman's nets, and rescued Martha the basketweaver's cat from the boughs of a lofty sycamore. But now it seems a far worthier task has been found for the wandering paladin.

Valinar sets the axe down, and replaces a signet ring on his finger. With a flourish, fetches his weapon where it leans against a stack of cordwood. Comprised of two slender, curved blades joined by a supple, ironwood haft, the weapon is a thing of deadly beauty, and never fails to draw curious looks and more than a few questions about its provenance. The paladin invariably answers such questions with fanciful stories- a different one with each telling- that tend to heighten rather than satisfy the listeners' curiosity.

"To be honest, I would have liked to attend the meeting at the tavern - not to mention warm my tummy with Ruby's soup and wet my throat with Hester's beer - but Mayor Aberwell specifically asked me to meet you all here. Shall we get to it then?"

Walks out the door. Trev waits for no man. He pushes past Valinar on his way out the door. As a Dragonborn he feels like he should be the only one to take on the dragon. "Out of my way I am Trev Flameborn from house Flameborn and need no assitance from you people.

Iathos bows slightly before Valinar, nearly looking his balance in the process.

"Hail and well met, Valinar! I am Iathos, apprentice to Al-Jabar the alchemist. Nevermind the dragonborn. I'm sure we'll need all the help we can get."

Valinar merely chuckles as the dragonborn pushes past him and walks on, presumably to Aberwell's pasture. "Pleased to meet you all." the half-elf says levelly to those remaining. "You'd better hurry up with those details, Aberwell, before Master Flameborn makes too much headway walking in the wrong direction."

Hasan would lead the band of travlers to the home.

"Sir Valinar, do you think we'll have to fight the dragon? I'd much rather hope they were a friendly dragon."
I wonder what they taste like...

Ruby muses, not entirely sure what she signed up for.

"As would I, dear Ruby. Friendly dragons do exist, you know? Although a friendly dragon might not stay friendly after you send a dragon-hunter after it."

"But the dragon hunter does exclaim that he can handle it. I'm more curious to if he could fair up to the rumors of those bandits.." Hasan jests tuning his weapon and adjusting his uniform.
"Please lets enter, we shouldn't keep him waiting long. He is a busy man.."

At the mention of a dragon hunter being able to "handle" a dragon, Altrix began to chuckle to himself quietly. They were not the kind of thing a lone person dealt with. Even with a group such as theirs, he knew they would only make it out alive if the dragon was of the right sort and in a good mood. That, of course, was assuming they even made it that far. The lair of whatever dragon they were being sent to investigate would no doubt have all manner of devices and mechanisms for keeping out any unwanted company and the thought of that was enough to make Altrix's stomach clench in fear. He removed his bag and began going through it before removing his thieves' tools and stowing them in his cloak for easier access. That done, he turned his attention back to the group.

"Might I suggest that we bring the dragon a gift of some kind? It might not do much but on the other hand, it might also be the difference between us being able to converse with it and being spit-roasted alive. Perhaps that is something the mayor would be able to assist us with?"

The Mayor shows up shortly, having extricated himself from the concerned townsfolk at the tavern. "Come, come, inside. Valinar, did you chop that whole stack? Bless you. Come, come. I'll put on tea."

He puts the kettle on to hang over the fire, and stokes that up a bit, too.

"I'm sure you have a lot of questions, and I have questions for you, too. First off, this is an investigation, not an extermination. If you have any thoughts that you're going to try to slay the dragon, well tell me now."

Aberwell dismisses the pipe, not at all bothered by it. "A fee, you say. Well, this had been somewhat hotly debated. Some feel that adventurers are untrustworthy by nature and would likely abscond with any advance. This has happened, I'm told. Others say that we have no proof of your skills in this task. I admit to not knowing myself. Given that, what do you propose?"