Episode 1 Scene 1 : The Arrival

The trip to Far Reach was long and fraught with peril. On more than one occasion those being employed to protect the caravan definitely earned their keep be it wages at journeys end or safer passage to Boareskyr Bridge. However the last leg of the journey proved to be the worst. For upon the constantly wind swept fields of the Sky Plateau the group was set upon by a large contingency of raiders. It took a massive effort upon the protectors behalf to finally repel them leaving many badly wounded and a few dead. Still the caravan was able to make the safety of Titan's Cleave. It was rumored that a Titan's Great Sword had created the break in the Sky Plateau and it appeared that the rumor may have well been true for it resembled a jagged gaping wound. Still from there forward the most dangerous element was just the occasional falling rock as the caravan descended down through Titan's Cleave into the valley of Far Reach.

As the caravan begins moving out of the Cleave and into the valley proper one could see the fabled Boareskyr Bridge in the distance and next it the rather ramshackle town that rests at its southern end. The warmth of the valley was quite noticeable compared to the colder air of the Sky Plateau and one could imagine that at times it might actually get uncomfortably warm at times. Still the weather in the valley seemed to be pleasant enough right now and the grassy hills the caravan travels through seems peaceful enough. One could easily tell when one was getting close to the village as even a few farmhouses had already sprung up indicating that some protection was given to the region immediately south of the village.

Upon arrival just short of the town but in sight of the large wooden sign labeled "Southbridge Village" the caravan pauses for inspection. A small contingency of archers flank the caravan on either side while four seasoned looking veterans walk the length of the caravan two a side and a fifth with a writing board speaks with the caravan master up front. Their surcoats over their chain mail denote them as followers of different deities. The one up front who is obviously a well-groomed Tiefling wears an equally fine surcoat of Kelemvor while one of the walkers who is obviously a Dragonborn wears the surcoat of Bahamut, next to him is a Human wearing the surcoat of Torm, on the otherside is an Elf wearing the surcoat of Correllon and along side him a Half-Elf wearing the surcoat of Lathander. While a mixed group of dieties even the most unknowledgable in religion would easily note that they are all dieties associated with law and order. Perhaps these were some of the actual seven Paladins that are rumored to be the anchor of government and safety here.

On their walk back up from the rear of the caravan the Dragonborn states in Humanish in a deep booming voice that is easily heard by all. "We here welcome you all to Southbridge Village. Please refrain from excessive rowdiness as that may get you a visit to our wonderful stockade. If any of you are planning to stay on please report to the garrison in the next few days as all long term residents are expected to actively help with the defenses of the village. Other than that we hope you enjoy your stay here in Southbridge Village."

It does not take the group, in general, long to enter through the ramshackle looking gate. Although, up close one can obviously see that the gates and the wall are actually quite sturdy they just appear to be shoddy due to their non-uniform lengths and widths. Still the gates are not the first thing one notices as they get near as an odor wafts out to greet them first. The strong scent of animals, manure, cooking, campfire smoke, and earth all mix together creating a none civilized smell that while pungent is not necessarily unpleasant, especially for those who prefer outdoor living versus city living. The dirt packed streets are lined with make-shift board walks making it obvious that when the streets get wet they might not be easily navigable. The semi-sea of kaleidoscopic tents seem to make up the bulk of the interior accompanied by the din of the marketplace that they represent. Off in the distance rising above these tents like majestic wooden towers stand five wooden structures the signs hanging from them, due to their shape as they are too far away to make out clearly, indicating that they were Inns. The fact that these flat roofed structures actually stand taller than the walls lends to the sense that perhaps they are even used as towers when needed. The road stretches out in front of them as well as going off to the right and there is a well worn path off to the left that seems to lead to one of the Inns. There is an Inn to their left and one to their right, another further down and to their left, and yet another even further down and to their left, the last appears to be directly across the near center of the central marketplace. Several guards stand just inside the gate holding halberds and then of course the various vendors and customers of the marketplace are milling about near by. However there appears to be no signs indicating, this way to the garrison.