Chapter 1: Lady Luck's Curtsy

The serving girl blanches at your tone. Even a no-nothing infant could see that she seems massively torn.

I can't - I mean - you can't - that is to say, the baron, you don't just summon a baron, do you?!

He's asked that all his visitors partake in food and drink in the back room. she says, taken a little aback by your appearance. She points toward the heavy door at the back of the tavern.

I'm glad to meet you Lady Catriona. You can enter as you see fit. the serving girl says with a gentle smile.

Once the dwarf bedecked in armor enters the room, behind the young half-orc, only a minute or two elapses before there is a pounding on the door to the room. As your heads turn to the sound, it swings open and a wiry young boy steps through, wearing a tabard of white silk, trimmed with gold lace. An image of a spear crossed with a shepherd's crook adorns the chest, worked in purple embroidery. He holds a golden trumpet up to his lips and plays a trilling fanfare.

Move out of the way now, you ridiculous boy! comes an effeminate, braggadocios voice. As the boy moves out of the way, the doorway is filled with a tall, rather rotund man. An auburn beard covers his double chins and his slate gray eyes are sunk deep into the fat of his cheeks.

Ahhh! There you are! Ahh-ha, recipients of my missive. Adventurers one, adventurers all. Welcome my friends to the husk of Neverwinter. Welcome to one of the few jewels left shining in this wreckage of a city: The Jeweled Bottle! I, as you may have guessed, am the gracious host of the day, Yahvitz Merrian. The twelfth Baron Harketts. I trust you are all enjoying the fine food Meribeth and her father have put out for you? I asked that they provide a stout dwarven ale as well as a cask or two of that effervescent wine you elves favor. I will admit, I was at a loss for some of you, but I hope the piles of meat were satisfactory! Yahvitz boasts loudly. Waddling his way into the room, you get a better look at his attire. Purple silks, bedecked with flecks of diamond and amethyst. The motif of spear and crook is worked in gold stichery on the back of his heavy velvet cloak. Please, everyone, take you food and your drink, and take a seat. I will endeavor to explain to you the wondrous opportunity I lay at your eager feet! With a final flourish of his hand, he makes his way to the lone chair at the front of the hall. As he settles his massive frame onto it, it creaks in protest. With an embarrassed grimace he pulls a stoppered flask from his pocket and draws a deep drink.

Catriona eh? Not quite the Wavesilver I had in mind when I sent my letter, but we shall see how well you will do in your brother's stead. Clearly you have some manner of skill, else you wouldn't have been able to make your escape, eh lass? He says, eyes twinkling.

Yes! Master Steelshaper. It has certainly been an age since your wretched little form graced my court! I am pleased to see that you still so readily answer a call from true nobility! Welcome to the party! He says, the mirth in his voice making the insult seem more of a term of endearment.