Ch. 1 - The Keep on the Borderlands

Having received his warm meal, Father Petronius searches for a spot to sit and eat when he notices a lot of his companions have sat at a single table. Not wanting to be left out, he made his way there, seating himself.

"Well, what did I missed? Are we comparing rumors we've heard on our way here? Well, I for one have heard that there are bugbears in a cave nearby which are afraid of dwarves. Good thing we brought one along with us... Still, those are merely rumors and it might be unwise to bet our safety entirely on hearsay. What have you good people heard about the place?"

He then noticed the newcomer at the table.

"Oh, I'm terribly sorry, I did not noticed we had a guest. I am Father Petronius, a humble servant to Dionysus, the god of wine and merriment."

Finishing her stint at washing the dishes, Darlene joins the others at the table, just in time to overhear Father Petronius. "Bugbears! Nasty lot, those. I didn't know that they were afraid of dwarves, though."

Morgan matches Delfarious's hard look for just a second, then hers becomes mirthful. "An equal share is well enough for me. Anyway I'm sure there is more than enough wealth in those ruins for the whole keep."

"Ah, pleased to meet you, Father," she says when Petronius arrives (followed by Darlene). "I cannot say I've met a bugbear, nor have I heard much about caves aside from what you all have shared—but who wouldn't be scared of an angry dwarf? Ha!"

The group grows, and Delfarious is pleased. A troupe this size would split the booty many ways, but he was quite certain these lands were every bit as dangerous as they'd been hearing, and that while a dozen pairs of eager feet might strike out from the castle... fewer would return each time.

"Done!" the man booms when Morgan agrees to come aboard for a full share. The Prestidigitator nods at both Darlene and Petronius when they chime in, and when the talk turns to Bugbears.

"And I know just how we can test the veracity of these jangles, these conjectural rumors!"

Farem follows Darlene soon enough, and overhears the end of the conversation and Delfarious' words. Expectantly, and without taking the time to think, he asks: "Are we planning to go into the caves, right now?"

"They should be afraid of dwarves," says Kraagor, finally joining tbe conversation, "and I'd be more than happy to show you all why. I'll need rest first, but soon enough I'll be ready to show what I can do with my warpick."

Delfarious has a mouthful of wine swishing and swirling when Farem (in the party! Along with the dwarf!) says what he does, and the man nearly sprays the scarlet fluid all over his companions. Choking a little, he finally manages, "What?! No, no! We've only just arrived from that arduous trek! On the morrow! On the morrow we sally forth, equipped and girded for anything!"

"Right." answers Farem, realizing he is somewhat tired with all the walking and dish washing, despite his young age. "That's probably wise..."

"How is that, Prestidigitator? Unless you mean going there and finding out ourselves?"

At the talk of setting out on the morrow, Morgan looks pleased now that negotiations are settled. "Wise indeed. We must be ready for anything out there."

"Of course, illusion!" Father Petronius exclaimed, snapping his fingers. "You're thinking of sending in an illusory dwarf into the caves before us. I must say, that is rather clever..." he said addressing Delfarious.

Delfarious is about to play coy and tell Morgan she'll have to wait and see, but then Father Petronius boisterously spoils the surprise.

"Precisely!" the illusionist roars, jabbing his finger into the air! "We will test this theory without risking so much as a whisker from our own dwarf's beard!"

Farem has a quick exchange with Bofum, who prefers to sleep in the stables. The young warrior thus enjoys a good night sleep, full of heroic dreams, and is ready to go the next day, armed with a few weapons and a lot of enthusiasm!

Darlene takes to bed and enjoys a night of sleep before getting ready to set out on what may prove to be a dangerous journey. The next morning, she wakes early and prepares her spell of Animal Friendship.

Hrmph, Eltrezar clears his throat as his strokes his still road-dirty beard. "I come seeking a map, a cartographer, or direction to one or the other. In that order. I come with a band of adventurers that seek to traverse your wilderness, and have gold to spare. Though, more will likely be coming as well."

While in the guild house, Eltrezar follows the clerk up to the second floor and past some rooms to a sort of common room with beds and tables. Several merchants are talking and laughing over plates of roast joint and wine. The best-dressed merchant, a woman in a silk tunic and trousers, offers Eltrezar a fairly accurate map of the surrounding countryside worth 20 g.p. If he can't afford that now, she's always willing to sell at a later date.

Before Eltrezar leaves, the merchant introduces herself as Edwen Thibault, a collector of ancient Thothian artifacts. Since Eltrezar is planning an expedition soon, she's willing to buy any Thothian artifacts he finds at full price.

Ezra will join the others when it's time for sleep

Eltrezar coughs at the price of the map, but quickly regains his composure. The price is out of his range for now, but he offers to take notes where he can find them in exchange for a lower price when the time comes. Regardless of if this deal is accepted, he leaves and heads to the tavern.

At the tavern he orders a cheap meal and some wine, knowing that it will likely be the nicest meal he has until he returns from an expedition. But his bones are weary, and he knows it will take a few days. He does let everyone know that he has purchased some rooms for the party.

Thibault accepts Eltrezar's offer graciously before he leaves and joins the rest of the party. When it's time to turn in for the night, each of them knows that this will likely be the best sleep they have for a while. Ready or not, the dawn comes all too quickly. Morgan emerges from her private room to meet you all in the common room of the inn, ready to put the Keep behind her as early as possible.