Ch. 1 - It Was Supposed To Be A Simple Job

After a small mix-up with their ordered drinks, the four people have gotten acquainted. A motley group to be sitting together at a table to be sure: two half-elves, a minotaur, and a dwarf.
The tavern where everyone is sitting in is a fair establishment. Food is good, drink as well. However, people seem to be a bit worried. Sitting and listening, the group overhears tidbits of uterings and rumors. It seems that kobolds have seen around more often, as Sokolov and Saer can attest to. Not only this, but word seems to be spreading that said kobolds have managed to kidnap the Lord's daughter! Whisperings of a reward for her rescue are at the tail end of these worded thoughts as few people in the settlement seem brave enough to take on the challenge.

Both Sokolov and Albus are in agreement on finding out the reward. Albus makes mention of possible funds to aid his research into more potent magicks.

With the bill settled, the party starts asking around as to the whereabouts of the head guard. They are instead pointed in the direction of Lord Padraig. Heading in the directions of the large house placed at the center, the group is met by some guards. After telling them that you all are interested in more information regarding the issue at hand, one of the guards asks the party, "By what name should I address you as? Do you have a name for your little group or are you just acting together?"

"Uh, riiight," he replies, giving an odd glance at the name. "Please wait here while I go and let the lord know you're here."

The double doors open as he enters and close behind him. After roughly 5 minutes, the doors open again, more on the right door than the left, and everyone is beckoned inside.
The interior of the manor is fairly grand for the area outside. It seems that many of the things that line the walls were perhaps trophies of the past.
The group is lead to the back of the manor to a dark wood door, lined with copper and a small placard that lets passersby know that this is the official office of the governor body. The guard stops and knocks on the door and is answered with a deep voice. They open the door and let the party inside. Sokolov having to squeeze his frame inside.

Sitting behind a large desk, papers and quill before him, Lord Padraig welcomes everyone. His glances are confused upon seeing a dwarf and minotaur working in the same circle, but does not vocalize the thought.

"My guard tells me that your group wishes to know about my request. Is that correct?"

"That is indeed correct, sir," Albus responds, bowing his head. Padraig grunts and nods.

"Very well then," he sighs, pouring a glass of what looks to be some brandy.
"A few nights ago, my daughter was on her way back from Overdale via a wagon. She was there to visit a friend that she had not seen in some time. It was perhaps two nights ago now that I was delivered a note. I first thought it a ransom note, but alas, it was more of a calling card.
With the disturbing reports of kobolds roaming the area more openly, I have become increasingly worried. It seems that a cult, or just a leader of sorts, controls them."

He lays the note out on the table. The words are scrawled as if by a mad man. Saer and Sokolov recognize the symbol printed on the bottom to be the same as the medallions found on the kobolds from before.

"If you would go to them and rid us of the problem, we would be greatly in your debt. If you can only secure the life of my daughter, you will still be justly compensated.
So long as we know the location of their coven, we may be able to send some steel that way to clean out the rest. Do you have any questions?"

" Unfortunately, I do," he utters, bitter notes almost palpable in his tone.
"Not many people know that I once was an adventurer long ago. That was before I met my late wife and found out I had a child on the way."
He sighs heavily as the memory comes forth. It seems to be a sore subject of melancholy.
"Back in my youth, cults seemed to had been rising more and more. An odd occurance that seems to been solved without much knowledge of. But alas, there are always those tempted by power, especially one of a demon lord. I know not of this symbol, but I've seen others like it.
It seems as though my past has come to haunt my resting days..."

"There are priests in town; we have a good handful of devout people who live here. I'm sure that if you visit any of them, you will find the answers you seek."

He shifts in his chair uncomfortably. The current subject weighs heavily on his psyche. Albus is taking notes of the quest for future reference while Sokolov tries to follow along.

"A week's trip to Overdale is a bit excessive," he replies to Torban. "Even a courier service would take an amount of time that would be ill suited to the situation. But come, perhaps the talk of reward might expedite your adventure? Again, I once adventured in my younger years. Though much of my wealth was spent to construct Winterhaven, I still have a few gemstones of some value.
On top of that, as the lord of these northern lands, I shall award you 200 gold pieces EACH for the rescue of my daughter. On top of that, if you were to bring proof of death of each and every kobold and cultist you slay, I shall pay 5 to 10 gold depending on the degree of the enemy. In fact," he leans forwards a bit, pensive.
"In fact, if you do this task for me - if you rid these lands of this scourge - I shall name you knights of Winterhaven."

"There is indeed a general store in town," Padraig replies, writing a note hastily and handing over to Saer. Looking at it, he can see a small list of places and directions to them. Marked on the list are two temples(one to Amaunator and one to Kord), a blacksmith, and a general goods store.
"Tell me, do you have any rooms in a tavern in town? Kobolds are notorious nightstalkers, so ambushing them during the day may be beneficial. I can offer a note for a free night as a gesture of good faith."