Chapter 1: Nightstone

A menacing fire burns in Iolgur's eyes. As more people offer their help his face brightens. He grins in excitement.

"Good, good. Looks like those greenskins are in for a thrashing.
No need to discuss payment yet, we shall see what we can do tomorrow. Right now I want a room for the night. It's two gold, right?"

"Goblins, I think." Chanler says in reply to Qavez. "And yes, rooms are 2 gold a night, and breakfast is included in that." The bard's chest seems to swell with hope. "We leave at dawn, then."

"How's about free room and food for helping you out?" Qavez asks.

The dwarven innkeeper doesn't pause before slamming a table with his palm, "Done! A safe place to sleep and all you can eat, if you can rid our town of those evil creatures."

He looks around the room, empty now save for the visiting adventurers, "Best now you get some rest, though. The morning is soon enough."

"A free room! That sounds great! Can I sleep in this one? What do you have to eat? How about stew? I love stew." I excitedly watch as the group discuss their troubles. I'm pretty sure I can help them! And I get to sleep and eat here for free!

Iolgur quickly tucks two gold coins back into his pouch, glancing at human adventurer with admiration. Money is scarce these days, and his current contract looks like a dead-end. He has already considered sleeping with the horses, like another traveler - who, by the way, seemed a capable fellow. Making a mental note of asking him about joining their expedition in the morning, Iolgur goes to the rooms. Half-way to the door, he turns around to his fellow travelers and says:

"Didn't introduce myself, did I? Name's Iolgur. I am a tracker and a thief-taker. My skills might come in handy tomorrow."

Then, after some pause, he adds:
"Well, 'till morning."

Xalvador nods at the others as he slips the gold back into his pouch before nodding to the others "Yes, first light then" and then he turns and heads to his room

Qavez tips his hat to the innkeeper in thanks. He says to Xed, "Well lass, I look forward to seeing you tomorrow morning. I'd stay up longer, but it looks like we'll need an early start." He rises from the table and drains the mug, before adding, "Good night, sunshine!"

"Nice to meet all you lovely people! Name's Xed by the way. See you in the morning!" Xed spends the rest of the evening trying to remember everyone's names. One of them was a dwarf, right? With a hat?

Chanler nods, before making sure Morak needs nothing more, and steps off towards his room to fall into an uneasy but hopeful sleep.

Iolgur groggily walks outside Nightstone Inn towards a barrel full of cold rain water. A good splash in his face wakes him up immediately. He starts to groom himself, muttering about charming every goblin he sees today to death. That seems to put Iolgur in a good humor.
His morning routine done, Iolgur walks inside the inn and sits at the nearest table. He shouts in the general direction if the kitchen:
"I'll have eggs, bacon... and something to wash it all down, please!"

Xalvador lays in his bed, tossing and turning, his dreams ever restless. He awakes with a start in a cold sweat, a shimmering field springs up around him as he summons his protections to him instinctively. He takes a moment to control his breathing and steady his racing heartbeat as he recognizes his surroundings. That was new he thinks to himself as he gathers his effects I need to think on this some....after the task at hand though. Once he has prepared himself he heads down to the common room, not really paying any attention to where he sits and request a few flatcakes and some water.

Qavez steps into the common room, dressed for travel. He rubs the stubble on his chin and goes to the bar to procure his meal. "Morning," he says to the dwarf. "Iolgur, was it?"

Aestan slowly opened his eyes. Morning had come and his thoughts were allowed to climb from the crevices where it laid dormant in his mind during the evening. It was a pleasant night and was made more so by the arrival of a lovely morning. It was still early enough that the sky still held onto the fleeting darkness as a red wave washed over the whole expanse. He stood and saw that he had rested next to a nearly empty wood pile. The lonely axe buried deep in the chopping block appeared to have been left alone for a while. No more than a few days, but the corner it was driven into had started to show signs of softening. The wood had been exposed to too much water under the pressure of the blade. Might as well earn his breakfast...

***

Letting the axe lean against the stump and a full stack of fresh kindling, the lone man wiped a broad forearm over his damp brow. He was down to his linen shirt, his armor shed to the side with his other equipment. His sleeves were rolled up to just above his elbows and collar unlaced lazily to allow the cool air to keep him refreshed. Dark hair shown under the laces of his shirt and could be seen running down the length of his arms. White scars ran down those same strong arms. Each a mark of sacrifice. A sacrifice he was proud to make each time he was made to do so.
Wiping his callused hands on his trousers he went to sit next to the horse stable and let his head fall back against the rough hewn planks. Closing his eyes for a while, he heard someone walk out and begin working in one of the rain barrels by the corner of the inn. Opening one of his eyes to peek against the early sunlight he saw it was one of the patrons of the previous evening. A stout dwarf who carried an air of authority and an easy stance of martial skill. Aestan closed his eye again while the fellow groomed himself and afterwards made his way back into the place where the smell of food had begun to waft. Feeling rested, the soldier gathered his gear and, after donning it, made his way into the establishment. Seeing several patrons already gathered at the bar getting orders put in, he made his way to the table from last night and seated himself to wait patiently for the keeps' attention.

Chanler walks into the main room of the inn, doing up the last button on his shirt in the process, and quickly tightening his belt before looking out to the gathered people. "Are we all ready?"

Xalvador stands, picking his pack up and moves to join Chanler. "I am ready" he says quietly.

Iolgur leans back in his chair to look Qavez in the eyes.
"Aye, that'd be me. Qavez, right?"
His voice is still hoarse from sleep, and he clears his throat. He then turns to Chanler and says:
"Hey, no need to go fighting on an empty stomach. Eat something. Those goblins had a whole night for themselves, another half an hour won't matter much."

"Is that bacon? Please tell me I’m not late. Has everyone eaten already?" Xed rushes into the dining area and notes many people seemingly about to leave.