Episode 0: The Arcadian Rose

Despite not being the target of it, Kalis shrinks lower in his chair during the tirade. When it's over he lets out a silent sigh of relief, Mental Note: Do NOT piss her off, he thinks to himself.

It's been a little while since the last time it happened, but Gustav knows better than to raise a stink by starting an argument with a superior, especially Rhiann. "Yes ma'am," he says curtly.

Geno's nerves are not helped by Rhiann's chiding, even though he agrees with what she's saying. He is suddenly glad he didn't have any further questions.

Coda smiles all throughout Rhianns onslaught of berating. When she is done, he shoots a nod and a wink towards Gustav.

Rhiann sighs and pinches the bridge of her nose, eyes tight with what appears to be a headache. "Sorry," she says quietly to Gustav, opening her eyes with a faraway look. "I should be glad that you asked that question. It would be worse off for the both of us had you been caught in a situation without knowing what to do. Just don't... don't extend your reach beyond the horizon. Focus on what's in front of your nose, for now. You're a new team and truth be told, a single piece on a larger game board. Maybe after some time and some hard-earned experiences, we'll be able to look at expanding your role.

"Now, any other questions?" Rhiann looks to the others, particularly those that haven't spoken up to this point.

"None from me, thank you." Truth be told, Daniel had been just on the edge of the group since they were assembled, though true to form he had avoided drawing attention to himself, not saying anything up until this point, not even looking at anyone, not that anyone could tell with the blindfold.

Maenore shakes his head.

"Fine, here is your job," says Rhiann. "There's a merchant caravan scheduled one month from now, starting from Frysor Stronghold and traveling to The Tower of the Fallen. The caravan master is a sympathizer and has a wagon of supplies earmarked for a Pale encampment deep within the Trackless Barren. Unfortunately, he can't deviate from his path, so we need a team to meet him at a rendezvous point just outside the Tenby Woods, where you will take possession of the wagon and enter the desert.

"I'll mark the rendezvous point on your map and the route the caravan takes, but due to security the exact location of the camp itself isn't known. You will need to find the camp while safeguarding the supplies.

"When you reach the encampment, look for someone named Dwiz Valeft. Ask him if he has any wicker baskets for sale; he will say yes. Your reply should be to ask for one without cobras.

"You leave tomorrow morning on The Fortune Star, a ship bound for The Tower of the Fallen, which barring any surprises you will reach in a few days. From there you will need to make your way to the rendezvous point through whatever means you can manage. Again, the caravan will begin their journey one month from now, and it will take them another month to reach the rendezvous."

Morena appears, carrying a stack of plates and utensils. The Turami woman, perhaps no more than fifteen or sixteen years, places a dining set before each of you. A round of empty cups soon follow.

Coda smiles "Sounds like we have quite the journey ahead of us." He thanks Morena as she places the dining set, doing a double take upon noticing her age. When she leaves for the cups, he turns back to Rhiann "Will she be allowed to join us for this meal?"

Kalis nods as he writes all of that down, then puts his papers away and waits patiently for his meal.

"No," says Rhiann in response to Coda. "Any other questions about this task?"

"Just one." Daniel moves his chair closer to the table, resting his cane against the back of the chair. "Are we likely to run into any trouble on this trip?"

"There are monsters roaming about the land," says Rhiann. She shrugs. "Perhaps a few pockets of independents amongst the wild, like you'd expect. Hope for the best and prepare for the worst."

Morena returns and places a large bowl of garden salad upon the table, followed by two baskets of bread. She proceeds to fill your cups with a hot spiced alcoholic cider.

A blue-skinned water genasi appears from the kitchen, dressed in a stained apron over common clothes. Hair in the appearance of fins is tucked under a scarf around her head. A large bundle is slung across her back in the vague size and shape of an infant.



The genasi carries two large plates of steamed whole fish prepared with a hot oil of ginger, scallions, and soy. These plates are placed in the center of the table. With a nod, she silently gestures to the food, hefts the bundle on her back, and returns with Morena into the kitchen.

Rhiann places her hands on her hips. "Any other questions? If not, enjoy your dinner, and I'll see you in the morning before sun-up."

After processing the lack of proper silverware for a few too many minutes, Geno digs into the fish with relish. When he finishes a few bites, he looks at his companions.

"Have any of you... done anything like this before?"

"Never, have you?" Kalis responds between bites, "I've never been part of an adventure of any kind, only read about them."

It takes a few seconds of fumbling before Daniel retrieves his utensils and begins eating. "Adventuring? No. Going against the dragons? Technically yes."