Chapter One: The Path of Discovery

I have heard of your exploits, and wish to offer you an opportunity. I have sources that believe there are the ruins of a lost civilisation in the Stolen Lands. If this is the case it would be an amazing discovery for history. If that is not something you care for, there will also doubtlessly be relics and treasure and I am willing to give those who help me a cut of whatever is brought back.

If you are interested, this expedition will be leaving Restov on the 1st Rova. We will be gathering in the city in the weeks before. On the 26th of Arodus I hope to have a gathering in the Tipsy Chimera inn where all members of this expedition can meet one another and confirm their interest, before we spend the next week working out the details. I do hope to see you there.


Lady Amara Delvois'

The letter reached you somehow. By courier, by bird, by being left in your inn room. Whatever your reasons you chose to go, and made your way to the city of Restov.

The Tipsy Chimera is a large establishment, boasting two floors of various room types, and a vast selection of ales and food. As you enter you inform one of the staff who you are looking for and are directed to an area currently filled with a group of sailors, and a figure sitting more to the side, that would not look out of place in a dimly lit corner.
Their shape seems feminine, but they are dressed head to toe in black leather armour, except with a dark crimson cape gilded with gold, and seems content to just watch the sailors make their way through tankard after tankard of ale. Two sailors stand out.

The first is a female half-elf, oozing confidence with how she leans back, arms crossed. As each of you enter her eyes move to you, taking you in with a judging eye. The second is a one-eyed half-orc, pipe in mouth, definitely the loudest of the sailors as they play some sort of card game.

It does not seem the author of the letter has arrived yet.

Grontha you try and place the hooded figure but there are so many stories of people dressed as such to avoid being identified, or blend into the night that you do not know which one she is, if any of them. The half-elf you try and place, but can't quite recall until you spot a pistol on the half-orc hip, decorated with a ruby skull on the side of the handle. You realise he is Garrisk Skullshot, first-mate of the Kraken's Ire, a ship that is renowned for travelling all weathers, and its lucky misses with sea monsters. He himself is known for taking out any would be pirate with a shot before they can board, according to the rumours. You then realise the half-elf must be Captain Serafina Ashbeck, the captain of the ship.

Thomas as you speak the half-elf looks you up and down again with a slightly different eye before leaning forward, a smirk on her lips. 'I have been told I am exciting numerous times' She leans back again, going to pick up her flash or ale at the same time. 'Well your expertise better be up to snuff, my crew are doing the heavy lifting, so we'd rather the pricey stuff rather than useless rocks'.' She raises her ale towards you in greeting. 'Captain Serafina Ashbeck of the Kraken's Ire. I've made it my life's work to inspire this lot into the best ship's crew.

'When we have a ship' There's a mutter from one of the sailors, who freezes the second he realises what his drunken mouth has said. Serafina immediately glares at him, leading to a mumbled apology even as other sailors shift away from him as if to try and avoid getting caught in the crossfire.

'Now now, this a night for meeting new friends and toasting a new haul in the coming.' Garrisk jumps in, appearing to be the only one not bothered by the captain's glare. 'Hans, why don't you go get us the next round.' He speaks to the sailor who immediately jumps up at the excuse to leave the table for a bit.

Tomas you recognise the same as Grontha, but also recall hearing that recently there was an incident at a nearby port where a ship somehow managed to blow a large hole in its hole while at dock, which you feel may be what Hans was referring to. Youa also recall some rumours.

Huan-ui as you introduce yourself, Serafina greet you the same, before nodding. 'Indeed, but it appears miss Delvois has the same attitude to being on time as most nobles.' You recognise who she is, and recall a tale where she supposedly stared a dragon turtle back down into the sea.

As for the hooded figure, she has remained silent throughout. Norgorberites certainly do use black to hide and be unseen, but they also place value on being unnoticed in social settings, while the attire is certainly drawing attention. Still it is not beyond a Norgoberites tactics to intentionally draw attention so that they are then dismissed.

Lady Delvois, you've heard the name as a member of minor nobility is Restov and a practising swordlord, but cannot recall anymore.

The captain rolls her eyes at Grontha's remark but it earns a chuckle from Garrisk as he takes her hand. 'You are mistaken friend, sailors in a inn are very much our element. Though once we step outside your words will ring true.'

'There's enough chickens this Lady wants to fund us all going, and its something to do while we wait.' the captain shrugs. 'Sailors released on extended shore leave can cause a lot of fun after all. Better keep them focused'

As you all take each other in, and get everyone's names, you all realise you've heard a little here and there about one another.

You all talk among yourselves, learning small things about one another, when you all spot someone else approaching the table. A young woman, flanked by two soldiers which are clearly guards. A pseudo dragon sits around her shoulders, grumbling complaint in comments under its breath about the 'walk' it's had to go on, and how it would rather be lounging at home.

Greetings and apologies. I thought it would be best to give you all a time to get to know one another before getting down to business. I am Lady Amara Delvois, the one behind this mission.

I will start on the details, unless there are any immediate queries?'

The lady smiles. 'Well I'll try and be brief so you can all enjoy the rest of the night.' She loks towards all the mugs on the sailors table.

'Are you all aware of the Stolen Lands? An area bordering Brevoy, not far from here, they have proven hard to tame and colonize, so belong to no one but bandits. There however been attempts to settle it over the years, including by Taldor who have left various ruins and mines there. Our quiet friend, Jadis here has found what may be one such ruin, or something fairly older.' She gestures to the hooded figure, who is still quiet. They looked at the offered tea from Haun-ui, but it is currently untouched.

'From what I understand she has vows to remain silent, but has communicated with me through letters. ' At this the figure, Jadis, finally seems to react , just nodding her head once in affirmation.

'She wishes to explore more, but apparently it is somewhat dangerous, and also cannot carry much, so came to me to form a team, an expedition to get people there, and hopefully some historical artefacts back. So that is where you all come in. Captain, as we have spoken in letters your crew will be the main muscle for searching the ruins, and bring stuiff back. The est of you, from your exploits you all seem capable, and If Jadis is correct about danger, it seemed prudent to have a group scout out the ruins, and clear it before the sailors moved in.'

'The tales of you certainly are impressive.' She nods towards Grontha before turning to Tomas.

'There are several theories. The veil between our plane and that of the Fey are thin there, and the fey are only tamed by their own weird alien rules.

'Yet to fey they make perfect sense. I do urge you to be careful, if the rumours are true. Though that does remind me, apparently the ruins are veiled in someway, possibly fey influence. Only Jadis could pass, her companions could not. We believe it may be due to a mark of her order she was carrying, an enchanted cold iron token, meant to guard them from tricks that would lead them astray.'

She holds a hand out to one of her guards and he retrieves a box from a bag. She opens it to reveal 4 coins, crafted from a dark metal, carved with words in a language Haun-ui will recognise as celestial. 'A soul is louder than a voice'.

'We have recreated the coin, with Jadis's blessing. We were only able to make four, another reason for a forward group to survey the ruins. Maybe there is a way to clear this mist'

Jadis nods in agreement, before her head turns to the pen an paper, looking at it for a while before slowly starting to right, hesitancy suggesting her writing in rare, though it is just about legible.

'Words can hold tricks, intentional or otherwise. One must speak and judged through their actions and intentions, not their promises, or appearances, that which in truth holds no weight.'

'I admit I hope that's is not the case. Still if the mist looks like it's there to stay, I guess once the ruins are cleared as not being dangerous, the Captains men can take turns with the coins getting stuff out

'In a few days, on the first of Rova. I have already arranged for general camping supplies and the like for you all, but if there is anything you may think will be useful, I could maybe spare a bit. For now though feel free to drink and get to know one another, but unfortunately I have other buisness to attend to, unless there are any other last minute questions?

Honey, you get the impression most people is Restov only know basic information about the stolen lands. You get a lot of shrugs, and mutterings of fey and using cold iron against them.

The area is quite a large expanse so the terrain changes to a degree, but the area you seem to be heading to is mostly plains and hills, with some forests around your destination. There is quite a lot of rumours of bandits, fighting over scraps of the land in hopes of being some sort of false lords of the area. The closeness to the feywilds also lends itself to quite a few magical beasts.

As you are finishing you information gathering you run into an older man who seems to have been enjoying a few too many drinks, all seems all to happy to fill you in on various stories.

'Y' know, the Taldan's tried t' conquer the place, but t'was too much fer t' greedy bastards. Though not the fey, no no, that's what they want y' to think. There was a bigger kingdom, the kingdom of the ages. Biggr' than Thassilon evn. Tho' hubris took it down, but still it won't give up it's clutches on the lands.'

Those nearby hearing the mans tale roll their eyes, clearing seeing it as nonsense.

The rest of the week passes fairly uneventfully. Information is gathered, supplies bought, ales downed by the several sailors, before eventually the expedition is underway.

The journey starts off uneventful. You four travel a bit ahead of the caravan most of the time to make sure the path is clear. As you enter the stolen lands you occasionally have to chase off the odd predator who wonders if you are an easy meal, but they are little trouble for the groups expertise.

As you are a few days from your destination, travelling through a slightly more forested area, you start to hear a commotion up ahead.

'I told you we should have taken the long route, but no we had to go through these godforsaken plains, and now we're play toys for damn fairies.'

As Grontha and Ruus stride forward they find themselves in a slight clearing with a very over grown old road running through it. On the road is an interesting sight. It has the right features of a caravan, but the carriage is the size you expect for a wheels, and it's four wheels are now oversized, each the height of a carriage.

Two men are arguing with one another, they seem not to have noticed you all yet. Nearby are two distressed looking horses.

The two men whirl around, first confused by the sight of an orc and halfling,, but seem to ease a little bit as Haun-Ui approaches offering help.

'Yeah, I think we could right now' The younger man shrugs towards their caravan. 'We're looking for a life outside Galt u'see. Wanted a place that didn't execute it's government every other day y'know. But this one 'ere, he said we should go this way, and now some bloody pixie decides t' play a prank on us and we're stuck'

'What other way were we meant to go...besides not all is lost. The damn thing spoke something about a hidden symbol returning it for normal. y' mind helping us search? Especially on the underside, Me backs bad and this one is scared o' mud.' The older one grunts

' 'm not scared, it does bad things for me skin, I've told you.' Is the others retort.

Tomas as you keep an eye out yo becoming aware of a figure crouched in bushes, then a second slowly sneaking forward, a third up in the tree. You suddenly realise the clearing is surrounded.

Ruus and Grontha you are more focused on the carriage. You spy no magic, not even the lingering magic you'd expect from magic powerful enough to do something like this. Even with most of your focus on looking for the symbol, both of you hear the sound of swords being drawn behind you as the two men go to take advantage of your distraction.

The youngest man hesitates they are coaught out. Well I mean.I;m sorry but we don't have a ...

[b'Shut up. We're bandits you idiot.[/b] He gets knocked around the head by the older older one. Get 'em boys.He yells as those in the bushes star to move forward.

As I understand the formation it should look something like this

Hyun is speaking with two bandits, Tomas has followed her a bit behind on the road and we are sounded by 5 bandits, right?

One second the older bandit is yelling to attack, the next he is crumpled on the floor. Tomas you react quick enough to divert your shots to different targets.

[Two bursts of fire stream from Tomas's hand and crash into two more bandits. Both stagger back, alive, but both very worse for wear, and all are beginning to seem to see they have bitten off more than they can chew.

The one in front of Hyun visibly gulps as he looks at his unconscious friend on the floor. 'Look, we, I mean no hard felling right, it;s just we ain't exactly got much o' a...

What are you useless fools doing? A loud commanding voice echoes out as a figure suddenly materialises next to the wagon. Tall and slender, wearing armour decorated in leaves and thorns. A large pair of antlers extend from their helmet. 'I, the great bandit lord Aurilandür take you under my wing, and you can't even take on some caravan guards?

The remaining bandits look nervously among each other, and move in. The 3 sneaking up manage to get into place, but there time doubting themselves means they don't get a chance to swing. The young one gives Honey an apologetic look before making a halfhearted swing.

As the young bandit goes to attack Honey steps in to make her own strike. He manages to get out of the way, but it cause his own to be easily deflected by the blade.

Grontha, you are unsure. The amour is definitively fey inspired, but there could be anything under there. Grontha axe collides with the bandit lords shoulder, but they just laugh, not badly harmed.

Tomas you start to see there is indeed magic in the area, but you will need to focus a bit longer to start identifying and locating it.

Ruus the bandits look at each other and start to consider your words. The young bandit, and the bandit next to Ruus step back, hands up. The other two go to attack, one swing and catching Grontha on the arm, the other driving his sword into Tomas's shoulder.

'How dare you. I am no coward, perhaps your friend is just not strong enough to harm me.' As the bandit speaks the image stops moving, going static, before suddenly two rays of fire bursts from their chest. While unexpected it seems that in their anger one of their shots goes wide, flying over everyone's head. The second however finds its mark, slamming into Ruus.

Everyone is not sure, but it seems like there is movement behind the chest of the now static illusion.

Grontha, you are aware of the illusion so can see through it slightly, and again you see movement behind it. Charging into the illusion you swing even as you get your first look at the real culprit. A 7 inch tall green skinned creature with dragon fly like wings, holding a very small rod, and wearing a crown decorated with minuture swords.

You weren't expecting the size, and so your attack does not hit as well as you hoped, but the blade still catches her as she tries to dart out of the way.

'Oi you bloody rude...' Even as she speaks her voice comes out as the loud booming voice you had been hearing earlier, not what you'd expect from such a creature. One of the swords on the crown glows, and suddenly a phantasmal long sword appears next to Grontha, and strikes back, catching her on the cheek.

Ruus you swing at the bandit next to you, but he ducks out of the way.

With Grontha stepping through the illusion it now disappears for everyone, and you all can see the self-proclaimed bandit-lords true form.

Hyun has been keeping up a defensive stance through out the fight, as different elements reveal themselves.

All the bandits look at the small fairy in surprise, clearly not expecting it.

'Get them idiots, or do I need to demonstrate again?' The fairy hisses, before carefully moving away from Grontha's axe. The crown glows as the spiritual longsword takes another swing at Grontha, but misses. Then suddenly the fae glows and dissapears similar to Tomas.

The bandits look dumbfound for a second, before the two is the fight just share a look, and start the attack again. Bandit 5 steps up to Hyun and swings but the blow is deflected by her stance. While bandit 4 goes for Ruus, but swings wide.

Again, Tomas sees there is magic in the area, though not exact. His knowledge with magic and spells however, leads him to realise she must still be very close to where she dissapeared, as she would not have had much chance to move yet.

Bandit 4 swings at Ruus as he moves pasts, but stumbles as Hyun steps down to swing at him keeping her own guard up, but he is able to deflect the blow.

Grontha you aren't sure what the creature is. It has wings like an insect, so could be a magic bug, or some sort of fey. Honey however seems to have a bitter of a better idea. 'It is an Atomie, a fey!' She calls out.

Tomas you are aware of auras of Illusion, currently right in front of Grontha. As he watches there is chanting, and suddenly an evocation aura appears as lightning sparks towards Grontha, before the form appears again, pressing a hand directly over Grontha's heart even as the orc makes her own reactionary attack.

The two bandits still fighting both swing, one at Ruus, one at Hyun, but neither can get past their guarded stances.

Grontha's blow strikes true, causing a shrike from the pixie like creature, though she still manages to dart out of the way of one of Tomas's rays, it missing mostly due to her small size, only to run into the second one. The slightly scorched fairie hisses as she tries to remain flying.

Grontha will look to finish the creature.

Grontha strikes, and the pixie like creature lets out a cry before collapsing to the ground, alive but unconscious. The remaining fighting bandits immediately throw down their swords.

'Heya...mp hard feelings,, right?' One asks even as she tries to edge away, looking for the opportunity to run.

With the roar from Tomas, and the indication they will not be followed al the survivors flee. The young bandit pauses at their unconscious leader hesitating, before deciding against it, disappearing into the growth with the others.

Honey moves towards the fallen fairy, and pokes her lightly with her katana. 'What should we do with this one? Perhaps she could answer your questions, though she seems slippery. We could leave her and move or, or make sure she can't hurt people again before doing so.'

She smiles at Timas 'I am unhurt, though Grontha, you seemed to bear the most of her attacks.'

With the bandit threat out of the way, you continue on. Eventually you come across a set of overgrown ruins, mostly just the foundations. There are foundations of houses and similar building, leading up to what you assume use to be part of a castle, or at least an impressive mansion.
You start setting up in the area as you wait for the rest of the group to catch up. Even as you do soe there is something, as if something is beckoning you through what you assume used to be an entrance way. Yet the terms of the job was clear, wait for the others to arrive then plan.

Eventually the area is filled with landlocked sailors and your guide. Serafina, the sailors captain raises an eyebrow as she lays site on the ruin.

'You do a good job of talking up some scattered stones. You really think theirs anything worthwhile here?' She directs to Jadis, your guid. The mute seems unphased at the unimpressed atosphere in the air as she aproaches what used to be an entrance. Stepping through it you feel maybe you could finally understand the place, even if it is an unforgotten border, yet you curb the urge. You have learnt in your adventuring careers that on jobs the client is present, they can be very picky on what they want done, and will look for anyone to get out of paying.

Jadis pauses at the threshold before turning to everyone else, and pointing at Grontha, Ruus and Tomas, and producing a note she must have written on the journey.

'Here, this is where I stepped through the barrier. Do not be disappointed till you see what lies beyond' She gestures to the doorway, as if expecting you three to step through.

You each have one of the coins on you. Hyun-i while originally meant to join you took the brunt of damage of a jaguar attack as you neared your destination, so for now in hanging back with the sailors as she recovers.

You all feel a rush of energy go through you all as you step through. It is welcoming, like you have just returned home, as you lay your eyes on what is beyond the barrier.