ADVENTURE 1: HEROES OF THORNWALL

A young woman (human) avoid road dirt as afraid of it's dust. She don't walk, but rather sprint stopping at bushes and behind larger trees to carefully look around. But it is not her cat-like movement or ware stance that attracts attention. The deep blue ayes.

Chani feels anxious away from the jungle. The decision is made and here she comes, Aelos’s worshiper: with a longbow and a knife and a lust of revenge.

Alone walked Guuug, a mighty Orog of the frozen lands. Lumbering was his step like an inevitable glacier coming down the mountains. He was vast of size, both tall and fat. A long dirty beard hung from his massive head that somehow only had tiny beady eyes while the rest was taken up by a massive downturned mouth that hung open to show long grey teeth. His head was shaven save a topknot and spots were tattooed on his head in the Drothmal fashion, while on his chest sharp white lines circled his bulk where skin showed under a heavy fur vest. His feet were wrapped in furs as well, but his toes poked out showing long black nails, which were even longer than the broken thick claws on his enormous hands, which in turn gripped a fearsome axe so vast it would take two humans to wield.

But his mighty figure was not the true reason for his solitary walk, nor was the legendary danger of the Icewalker raiders that Guuug surely held allegiance to. No, it was the miasma of stench that hung about him. Whether it was his dripping armpits, or his broken teeth, or the old oily grease that clung to his massive frame, Guuug was clearly not one for bathing. How could he, in a frozen land? Indeed, back home the bitter cold had trapped his smell, but as he wandered down to the warm lands what was once trapped broke free and drove all things that could smell before him. Guuug did not care. He was mighty. He was an Icewalker. This land was soft, and he would take a good living from it from weak hands. This is why he had come.

Lucia is a small dwarf woman (even small for dwarves), a bit stout around the waste, and clutching a book in her hands. Her belt has several pouches embedded into it, with little clasps closed, but you can tell that there are little items shoved and jammed into them.

Also attached to her belt is a sheath for a dagger the size of her forearm, another sheath with a knife the size of her hand. She wears a backpack that seems pretty full and well-packed, as if she has experiencing with carrying her things in the pack. Dangling from the bottom-left of her backpack is a pewter mug that swings as she walks. Her hooded cloak drapes over her shoulders, but you see her deeplander garb, which she wears proudly. And sticking out of a little compartment, you see an irod rod of curious workmanship.

She runs up to the very large Orog in the road and yells, "HEY, WAIT FOR ME, PLEASE! YOU'RE THE FIRST PERSON I HAVE SEEN IN SOME TIME!"

After taking a few deep breaths to catch her breath, she says, "Hi, I'm Lucia. I am tsverg.

"I have never seen your kind, but I can imagine that you are probably an Orog, correct? What's your name?"

Guuug lumbered on a few steps before slowly stopping, as if confused. Then he turned his massive bulk to look down at the tsverg. His little beady eyes took in the odd appearance. He was not used to folk walking up to him just asking to be robbed. He looked for valuables he wanted. The little thing wore fine clothes, but it was thin and small, so he had no use for it. Its weapons looked nice, but were so small that they might as well be cutlery. So it was for most of what it was carrying with it. All in all, Guuug was disappointed and perhaps a little annoyed at its appearance. Its voice annoyed him too. The trade tongue was not what he was used to speaking. But he was a very smart Orog. He had learned the second language. He just did not like speaking it. His perpetually open mouth grunted like a cave bear, before he turned around once more to resume his march to the town..

Lucia shrugs, then continues her gait in the same direction as the Orog. She continues her one-sided conversation: "My name is Lucia. I bet you're wondering why I am not running away from you. Quite simply, you are NOT the scariest thing I have ever faced. That, and my dad told me that I lack something he called a 'survival instinct'. I dunno, I am more curious than I suppose is safe. But, I haven't died yet, so there's that.

"So, if you are not going to introduce yourself, then I'll have to give you a name myself. Hhhhmmmm..."

She thinks as she walks, and mutters a bit. "He's not outright hostile, he doesn't smell terrible, he seems unfriendly, but, I swear, he smirked earlier...

Then, her face lights up in a EUREKA! moment as she walks up right next to him, looks up at his face, and says, "I KNOW! I'll call you Guuug! How does that sound to you?"

Guuug wondered if he should bite the tsverg's head off. Then it would be quiet again. It was a very appealing proposition to the orog, but he was very smart. He knew people would think he was an ogre if he did so. So the tsverg kept its head. For now.

After some walking with the large creature, she notices the smaller one and says, "SPRITE! Come join me and my friend, Master Guuug! I’m Lucia, and it seems like you could use some company!"

When they catch up, she puts her hand out to shake the sprite’s hand. She smiles big as she introduces herself: "I’m Lucia Craysse Dorenkett, a tsverg of the Deeplands.

"Where do you hail from, friend?"

She looks up at Guuug and says: "Master Guuug, would you mind waiting a moment while we speak with this wonderful person?"

Lucia is fascinated (dumbstruck) by this wall of brambles.

Chani quickly proceed through the open gate. Finally she thinks to herself

Hmm... Chani thoughtfully looks at the man.

In my language welcome means I'm happy to see you in my house. You stand there and do not let me pass.
In my home friend is a person you trust. We don't know each other to be able to call friends. Chani sight
She takes off her hood and bow.
I'm Chani Kynes, daughter of Liet Kynes. I beg you, just tell me what is that I have to do right now to be able to actually earn your trust and be welcome to do adventuring on behalf of Aelos, Keeper of Mysteries. I am not the person to earn trust through sweet talking and warm smiling.

As the group walks up to the thorn wall, they realize another member of their party has been trailing behind. He catches up by default at the gate.

The boy is young, which is clear from looking at him, maybe 15, but probably not by much, if that. He wears finely crafted scale mail that looks to be slightly too large. Slung to his back is a shield emblazoned with the symbol of a roaring lion. His sheathed weapon seems to be a standard longsword but it hangs light in the scabbard for some reason.

He looks at his feet and kicks a few rocks around, hoping not to be noticed.

"Hrrgggh."
Guuug made to enter the town. These guards looked weak. They should let the strong pass, as was their right.

Chani state her business (purification) and call homeland (Zhamayen Jungle) and start preaching on behalf of her deity Aelos. Something like that (not sure if this correctly reflects deity, calling and other setting details, ho DM will fix any my misinterpretation):
" I come from Zhamayen Jungle. My business is to follow Aelos’ call. Who am I to ask why would the Keeper of Mysteries want me to make all way over the sea to eliminate the roots of Endroren’s corruption in the very north. Aelos have talked to me! While you are hiding behind your walls Endroren’s corruption grow! Do you think it is enough to guide spirits of the dead to Numos to stop the corruption? While you only care to protect your lifestyle - you allow dark creatures stalking the land and become stronger every day! Aelos call to act. We can only save the world through the action!"

Lucia, in seeing the amount of tension caused by her new friends, walks up and says, "Aye, young sir! We are just traveling together, looking for different things, but finding safety in traveling by numbers.

"I, myself, am a tsverg by the name of Lucia Craysse Dorenkett, and I am apprentice of the late Desmus Bartolomeo Augustus, the wise. Though I am originally from the Deeplands, I am continuing my late master’s mission of documenting all essence wells, essence voids, and ley lines across the land, in hopes of finding and documenting the causes of those environmental disturbances to the balance of essence.

"Can I ask you a question, young man? Do you know of any points of essence concentration or decay nearby? This wall of brambles seems that it may have been created by one of these natural anomalies."

She pulls up her notebook, licks the end of the pen, and puts pen to paper, saying, "How do I spell your name?

"S-I-R…?"

Gurion steps up tentatively, thinking it was probably his turn to speak his name, origin, and quest. He draws himself up to his full 5’2" and clears his throat before loudly proclaiming:

"I am Gurion, son of Ariel, and I hail from Agthor, the city of New Erinor. My quest is…" Gurion’s voice falters momentarily before he continues, "well… my dad died fighting the Dark Hordes, and I have taken up his banner to continue the fight."

Guuug could smash the little man aside, or cleave him in two. The small one above he could kill with a javalin. He might take one small arrow. But the little one whistled. More little fighters? Maybe too many. Guuug was a smart Orog. He knew he might be outmatched. Besides, killing the defenders at the gate might make people believe he was an ogre. He did not want this. So he would not. Instead, he wanted to get inside fast. So he answered.

"I am Guuug."

There were a lot of fancy words thrown about in that blasted trade tongue. He did not care for it. A warrior only needed a few to get his point across, and to hell with anyone who thought him less for it. So he bellowed his intent, wafting his putrid breath over the little guard.

"Hrrrg. I am hungry. Move."

Since the boy ignored Lucia, she walks up to the guard, tugs on his elbow, and says, "S-I-R, how do I spell your name?"

"Hrrrggggggghhh..."
Guuug had no idea what these 'taxes' were the little man spoke of. His grasp of the trade tongue was limited to what was important in his own prior life. He was annoyed the little man was not letting him inside. His urge to smack him aside was rising, but the other little ones were asking questions. Perhaps it would be useful. But looking at the tiny one, likely not..

Gurion steps up. "I will cover the taxes for these brave adventurers so please let us on our way."

No more that few hours. Taxes... Well I hope to earn some money by adventuring to be able to cover the expenses. Could you please tell me how could I get an adventurer's job in your town ?

Gurion dutifully marches over to the old man.

"Are you master Jeb? I’m to pay entrance taxes for myself and my companions."

Lucia jots notes in her book, then looks into the eyes of the guard and says, "Thank you, Ulrich!"

He looks to the halfling woman and says loudly, "Thank you, Elsa!"

She then heads with the group to Jeb’s place.

Gurion nods, ever the rules follower. He turns and counts the members of the party.

"One, two, three, four, and myself makes five. So that would be… 5 copper pieces I believe?" The boy pulls out his coin purse and pulls out a silver piece. "Can you point us in the direction of the Greenbriar Tavern? Or maybe you’ve heard rumors of other places where we could find adventure."

"Foood!" Gruuug bellowed like a horn. It was a question where to find it. He cared not for signs with squiggly marks on them, or tiny coins. He could eat an ox.

Lucia looks to the boy and says, "Thank you, Lion-hearted one! I owe you."

Gurion blushes a little, then knuckles his forehead.

"Aye, ma’am. Your name was Lucia? I overheard your introduction earlier. Perhaps we can band together in our mutual fight against the darkness?"

"That sounds wonderful! I love speaking and learning from new companions.

"I hope to show you my ancestral home. We need what help we can in repelling those damnable beasts from down there. Perhaps someone as brave as you can help us overcome those evils.

"But first, tell me of your home, as well as your motives for adventure."

Smiling, Gurion told Lucia his story.

"Simple, really. My father, Ariel Yisharu, was a knight and nobleman from Agthor. We lived in a manor in the city of New Erinor. Dad always was going off to war, and he told me frequently of the dark horde he battled against. Sometimes my mom made him stop, but he’d make up some chores we had to do so he could complete his tales." The boy paused and wiped away some tears he hoped Lucia hadn’t seen.

"Dad didn’t return after his last campaign. Mom and I mourned, but one day while tending to his shrine and polishing his armor, it occurred to me that I could take up the fight. I didn’t have his sword - it was lost in his last battle, but his armor and shield were recovered and repaired. So I gathered some supplies, and father’s armor, and set out. And here I am."

"How about you?"

Chani silently bows when Gurion pays for the party and patiently waits what will tax collector answer to Gurion's question.

She hits down the notes intently, saying, "Uh huh…yes…oh," at the appropriate pauses and intervals."Oh, my boy, my story is not particularly interesting to the layman. I fought in my youth in the Deeplands with my people, but an old mage saw some talent in me, convinced my father that I should cultivate my magical gifts for eventual use to reclaim our ancestral lands, and so I had apprenticed for Master Desmus for approximately 35 years, documenting locations of essence anomalies. I currently am hoping to be able to map and understand flow patterns of these alterations to the fabric of magical energy."

"Real magic, Ms. Lucia?" Gurion asks, clearly amazed.

To Jeb, the boy nods dutifully. "Thanks, Master Jeb. We’ll see what we can do about your bell problem."

Chani follows this road over the bridge and keep following it as it meanders around to the right. She is looking for The Green Briar Tavern which " cannot be missed". She ignores the sign.

Guuug just plodded on following the general direction indicated. His mighty steps ate the distance quickly. He cared not about the little ones keeping up or not. He was hungry, and he wanted food. He noted the buildings of the land, solid, unmovable structures, many not made for his size, and dismissed them. They did not hold food. Signs were likewise ignored. He did not read, and he could not eat them. On and on he marched, hunting for the smell of food..

Gurion noted the warehouse and moved on, eager to find the Greenbriar.

No sooner had the smell of food hit his nostrils and Guuug had accelerated, ducking and wrestling his mighty frame through the door.
"GGggg.... Nyagh! Rahhh!"

Finally freed from the obstacle, he rose to his normal height, or at least until the ceiling or ornaments halted his rise. He looked around with his little beady eyes, his open mouth drooling, his massive axe almost forgotten in his hand.
"I am hungry!.... Hrrrr.... I want food!"

The Orog's voice was mighty and commanding, but rang with a note of despair. He was very, very hungry.

Lucia scurries after her gigantic friend and yells in despair, "PLEASE FEED MY FRIEND, GUUUG! HE IS FAMISHED! WE WILL PAY!"

Gurion had never been in a real tavern before, but he figured he should buy his new friends some food and drink.

"If you all want to get us a table, I can order some food and drinks."

The boy heads to the bar [area 4] and tries to get the attention of the barkeep.

"Excuse me?" he says.

Lucia walks in and talks to Guuug: "Please, have a seat at this empty table, and I’ll make sure they feed you, if you agree to help with my task of mapping ley lines and other essence mutations.

"Guuug, what is your favorite food?"

Chani is currently at (1) outside the gates to the buildingChani comes closer to the fence, jumps over the low fence and proceeds through the open yard (2) toward the doors to Main Room - following the voices chanting from. She plan to open the doors if the are not locked.

No sooner had the smell of food hit his nostrils and Guuug had accelerated, pushing open the courtyard doors, rushing across it, and entering the tavern proper ducking and wrestling his mighty frame through the door.
"GGggg.... Nyagh! Rahhh!"

Finally freed from the obstacle, he rose to his normal height, or at least until the ceiling or ornaments halted his rise. He looked around with his little beady eyes at the bar and common room, his open mouth drooling, his massive axe almost forgotten in his hand.
"I am hungry!.... Hrrrr.... I want food!"

The Orog's voice was mighty and commanding, but rang with a note of despair. He was very, very hungry.

Chani jumps into the room, seeing opportunity to get some attention (thanks to the moment of silence), but in a hurry she only manage to cry out single word: Adventurers!.
Suddenly ashamed for her own action she freeze in the doors looking at the crowd trying to spot any reaction: either adventurers themselves or involved with adventurers should at least be surprised she believes.

Gurion looks embarrassed. Not one to command a room himself, he shrinks behind the bar. But still hoping to win the good graces of his new companions, he tries to flag down the bartender to place an order.