Chapter 1: Lady Luck's Curtsy

The pair of you easily get a fair amount of silvery trout. Throughout the morning, a ton of dwarves wander through the streets, heading towards the mines. Others ride off on carts, heading the same direction.

Baraq, you easily find a serving wench wandering around delivering food. When you stop her, she smiles broadly at you, brushing a few errant blonde hairs out of her face.

The keep? It's back closer to the mountains. Easy enough to spot if you go three streets down that direction, and then turn right. Keep walking until you see the big gray building, you really can't miss it love. she says, her voice chipper. You setting out right away, can I get you a drink?

Cat, when you come into the common room, you see Baraq speaking with a serving wench and the others are milling about a table near the edge of the room.

You make your way through the early morning city watching as it comes alive. Dwarves and humans move through the streets, discussing business. There is some level of tension between many of the groups, but nothing that raises any alarm for you. Certainly it is less stress than you've heard in noble negotiations in your own homes, or among any of the people you've been a part of. True to the serving wench's word, you find the domineering keep easily enough. Heavy stones form a four story rectangular tower that sits behind a low wall. A heavy black gate stands open, flanked by a pair of humans in full plate with halberds in hand. Their helms have a large orange plume cascading down the back. As you approach, the one on the left holds out his hand.

Hold. Identify yourselves and your purpose please.

You're here to see the old codger huh? Well, head on in. Inside the main hall, take the third hall on the left and four doors down on the right is his study. Just knock a few times, he may not hear otherwise.

As you head to the specified door, you see that draperies hang along the walls, in stark primary colors. A variety of sigils are visible in the middle of the banners. Additionally, you see several suits of armor standing at the ready against the walls between the doors. When you arrive at the door, you see that it is made of heavy oak, banded in iron straps.

Your warhammer thumps loudly. At the first one, you hear a shocked Ahh! What?! come from behind the door. After the second, you hear, Alright alright. I'm comin'. No need to summon the cavalry! from inside. A moment later, and the door swings open, revealing an old hunched elf, with stringy hair falling down to his chest. What do you want, birdman?