Chapter 1 - Red Larch

After extracting an additional four silver coins from the depths of his cloak, Dazzle drops them into Feng’s palm. You are literally stealing money from the starving orphans that I would have donated this money to, but I suppose it can’t be helped.

Let’s go, Balak. Our friends will be waiting for us at the Swinging Sword, and they’ll want to hear the details about the noble quests we are about to embark upon for the good of this town’s citizenry.

As Balak and Dazzle walk away, he hands him the remaining amount of gold/silver. Thanks for helping me out. I'll make sure to carve your face into the side of the keep that I get for my kin. I will inscribe Sir Dazzle the Silver-Tongued in honor of your help to me.

What do you know about the local crimes and monsters? Anything unusual in that regard as of late? I ask, as politely as possible.

Dazzle looked at Balak as though seeing him for the first time. It’s rare for me to receive the recognition I am rightly due. You’ve suddenly become my favourite person in this wretched little town. But we’ve all got to start over somewhere once we’ve been forced to flee Waterdeep due to our crushing gambling debts, am I right?

Do you know who might know? I ask again.

"Lassie, that's the best thing I've heard from you today. Let's go, an ale or two while we are waiting on the others won't hurt anything.

I nod at her and thank her. I find a spot to kneel and whisper a quick prayer Azuth, I pray for knowledge, power, and wisdom. Lead me to those things as I search for those that destroyed my village. Azuth, I pray for guidance through these dark times and for the power and conviction to slay those that would stand in the way of my justice. I stand, thank her again, and return to the inn.

Everybody

Having all returned to the inn, Kaylessa gives you all the shiftless layabouts look that redheads everywhere have perfected. Still, she brings you all a pitcher of mulled wine and apple cider, both watered down, no doubt so as not to interfere in your abilities in the unlikely event that you might choose to actually do work today.

Balak grabs a mug and pours some cider into it. Thanks kindly, ma'am. He chugs it, some pouring onto his chest and chin, and then he wipes his chin with his forearm and puts the mug on the table. Not as much kick as I'd a hoped. No bother! What are we doing now?

Dazzle downs a couple of drinks for lunch before offering his perspective. Well there’s a Haunted Tomb southeast of here. It’s either infested by goblins, haunted by ghosts, or overrun by the ghosts of goblins. The townsfolk were quite unhelpfully vague on the specifics.

But the salient point is that a tomb implies treasure with which we could fund our future endeavours. Does anyone have any better suggestions?

Other than investigating Lance Rock for our dearest Kaylessa, that is.

I'll go where you want to go, Sir Dazzle.

I say lets head towards Lance Rock. I'm sure the Tomb will still be Haunted once we are done there. Sorgrimm finishes his mug. Closes his eyes for a prayer and rises ready to get a move on.

Dear Kayless, does a man ask a woman what she writes in her diary? he gives her a wry smile, I think not. But thank you for the cider. He turns to his companions, I will head where you all feels is most prudent. I would love to help out our lovely mistress, here, he says while gesturing toward Kaylessa. My skills are at your service, friends. I am ready to depart when you are. He closes his book and drinks some of the cider.

I wave off the alcohol. Water. Dazzle, I say we go kill some goblins. What do you say? Finish up and we’ll leave. I say, not particularly caring about an answer, but speaking in a way that seems like I do.

Walter finishes writing and closes his book. He drinks down the cider and stands up, Let us be off, then. He packs his things away and stands near the door.

Despite the fact that we're not all agreed on where to start, I propose that we defer to Sorgrimm, Dazzle says with a friendly nod towards the dwarf. Please, lead the way to Lance Rock!

Don't try to be a kiss ass Bard, it wont get you anywhere. Either way lets get a move on, we are burning daylight. With that, the surly Dwarf heads to the door.

On the contrary, wise Sorgrimm, kissing ass, as you put it, has gotten me quite far in life. I'm sure our bardarific friend here could say the same for himself. In fact, ass kissing is a great way to get the upper hand in many situations.