Chapter 1 - Training

[enn.in.me]

Yenny sets her pack on the ground and walks over to the food. She grabs an apple and pours herself some beer before returning to her seat. "I hear you Captain. What has been learned about the invaders?"

[Keehnelf]

Ilfrien sniffs at the food as though it might be poisoned before she takes a bite. Then, around a mouthful of food, she says, "Garmoth has led us through the darkness despite impossible odds. He has tested us and found us worthy of his blessings. However, I'd like to know why you thought drugging us was necessary, since we all read the notice and it said there was danger. And I'd like to know when you'll be handing out more of those enchanted weapons." Her hand rests uneasily on the hilt of her wrapped sword as she says this.

[tkrexx]

Hyde smiles (Naturally!) first at the welcome, then at the table full of food. With a nod to the Guards and Captain, he voraciously tears into the meal. He says little, but his eyes and ears are open.

[CAI4]

Chet stands, jaw dropped, showing his ugly scar. You said danger but ogres? Those are too dangerous. They almost killed poor Eduard.

[Zorroroaster]

Eduard shakes his head a few times and stares blankly at the party arrayed around him for a while before he seems to come to some understanding of what he's looking at.

"Captain, is that you? My head is splitting but I feel otherwise fine, who do I have to thank for such wondrous treatment? The last thing I remember was being tossed around by...an ogre of all things. Explanations can wait, however. I'm famished! Thank you all, for pulling me out of what must have been mortal peril. I shall not forget it!"

He goes to the table of food and starts chewing voraciously, listening carefully to what's being said but clearly overwhelmed by the desire for sustenance.

[KingOfCowards]

Jaspar grabs some light fare. The last time he was offered food, he ended up drugged and put in a cell.
"A test I can understand. I think this went beyond our expectations, Sir. Not the level of danger, mind you. But the extravagance. Drugging us, placing us in this dungeon, hiring humanoids to hunt us, where'd you even get the beetles? I guess money eases all pains, but the subterfuge certainly makes it hard to trust you."

[AleBelly]

The captain looks as if he expected many of these questions and sharp comments. "I apologize for the measures we took, but they were necessary. The drugging was my design. It was important to create an atmosphere of uncertainty. You will face this in the wilderness, most assuredly. Besides, we have to keep this location secret. It was formerly a dungeon for the most dangerous prisoners in Masmuria. We may need it again someday. Which reminds me that I will require you to suffer one last indignity once we're done here. You will need to be blindfolded as we transport you back to Alleborg." He waits for any howls of protest to die down.

"I understand your hesitance to trust me, but you will see in time that this was done for your own good. If you felt at the beginning that you could not complete the training, it would have been perfectly acceptable to hide in your cells until we came to your rescue. It appears none of you took chose that path. I will say again that if you found this training too harsh, perhaps you're not cut out for the task Alleborg asks of you. Obviously, all of these creatures were plucked from the region we inhabit. Fire beetles are common. We were able to put them to sleep and starve them so they would attack. The goblins we pulled from the local dungeon, imprisoned for raiding our crops and livestock. They were told they would have their freedom if they vanquished the party...and put to death if they didn't. The ogres...well...they are greedy mercenaries. We bargained with a pair that again threatened our land within the Perimeter. And, did you face the terrible foe? I have my doubts. The riddle was not too difficult, and you seem an intelligent lot."

Captain Castleman smiles as he sees Eduard regain his health. "Glad to see you up and about again."

He turns to Ilfrien. "We will be dispensing modest items of enchantment to each of you, taken from the Armory of the Guards. It is a good time to let you know that it is illegal to trade in these items, for we don't want them falling in the wrong hands. These will be doled out in private" he continues, pointing to the open door.

"I believe I've answered your questions, so I will continue. What we now ask of you is to venture forth past the Perimeter, checking in with me periodically to inform me of what you learn. The guards at the gate will know each of you, and if you ask for me I will meet you at Guffy's tavern as quickly as possible. You may ask what is in all of this for you. Besides fame and glory, there was considerable wealth distributed throughout Masmuria before its downfall. Some came to Alleborg with those lucky enough to make it here alive, but much remains out there. All of it, save relics or the kingdom and other associated heirlooms will be yours to keep. For items The Council will insist on keeping, you will be compensated fairly. You may find others that wish to join you in your adventures. This is up to you. Also up to you is how you group yourselves. We will have no oversight as to how you organize. Solo trips are foolish, but acceptable. Traveling as a large group has its advantages and disadvantages. Just remember that this is a lawful society, and violent rivalries will not be tolerated within our domain.

This reminds me to tell you that you will not officially be representing Alleborg. Frankly, there must be resentment among other towns and cities that survived the downfall. It is my understanding that during the fall of Masmuria, Alleborg, serving as capital, harnessed all of its resources to defend itself and lent no help to noble estates or towns. By not bearing our symbol, you will save yourselves from any potential wrath. The other side of this coin, of course, is that we will not be able to offer you aid if you are enslaved, imprisoned or otherwise imperiled.

As for where to venture forth, that is up to you. As you know, an old road leads east and west from here. The Lyna river also flows through the west part of town. But the roads are much more perilous than the wilderness. Trading caravans are always attacked by well-armed groups of bandits, humanoids and monsters. No traders have come from the west in several years. Our sole trade is with the towns of Elk and Breamville to the east...but these caravans are always extremely well guarded and suffer heavy casualties. An expedition that traveled through the swamps to the south returned with half its men, reporting the other half went insane and walked into Teardrop Lakes. We suspect humanoids have settlements along the perimeter, as the raids are growing more frequent from them. Goblins and orcs are most common, but there are others.

Finally, we suspect some infiltration of an evil sort within the town, so be careful who you trust. Not everything is as it seems, and if you carry large amounts of wealth with you, you will be targeted. But of course most of you know this already."

He takes a deep breath, walks over to the table, pours himself a milk and drinks heavily.

"So, do you accept this task I ask of you? If not, we will transport you back to Alleborg, and you can resume your usual life. No penalty will be placed upon you. If you do, please see me in the other room, one at a time, to receive a measure of our gratitude for completing the training and to help you in your ventures. Regardless of your choice, you shall keep the gold in your red pouches."

The captain waits for questions. If none come, he retreats to the private room.

[Keehnelf]

Ilfrien follows close on his heels to the private room, scowling.

[MonkeyWrench]

Korok says nothing, simply eating and listening. He will continue to eat until Ilfrien leaves the room or the door opens for another, he will then get up with a simple grunt and walk inside.

[AleBelly]

I'll update your items in the private forums. No need to draw this part out and set an order. You really are safe in this room...

[MonkeyWrench]

Don't believe him! Everyone, set up traps and grapple the remains guards!!!

[enn.in.me]

"Before you go, Ilfrien, in case we decide to separate, I do have 43 pieces of gold to share amongst the party. They are from the ogre. How may are we?" You all can see Yenny counting. "Seven, huh. OK - six each and one for Veles," She tosses the 43rd back out through the doorway (if possible) and into the dark. If not then to the guards.

[Keehnelf]

Ilfrien pockets the gold with a grunt. "Garmoth doesn't believe in hand outs, so I'll get my share of that piece back from Veles next time we meet."

[Zorroroaster]

Eduard stands up with a stretch and gathers his things.

"I'll see you all on the other side. Looks like we've some work to do."

He heads towards the private room, whistling lowly to himself.

[KingOfCowards]

Jaspar takes out another pouch from the ogres. He dumps its contents on the table to be divvied up among the group.
"I don't know how much is in here, I never got a chance to count it."

[Zorroroaster]

Eduard stops at hearing Jaspar talking of more gold and returns to the table briefly to collect his share and also shake hands with his fellow adventurers. They can tell he feels real gratitude towards each of them, and a kinship from the intense experiences they've just shared.

"Once we've returned, I suggest we reconvene in the tavern. Perhaps we can seek adventure once again together, no?"

[AleBelly]

Chet is still counting the sixth gold piece that Jasper spills on the table when others have deduced that there were 45 gold pieces in his pouch. That's 88 for the group.

[tkrexx]

Hey hey! Hyde is beaming. We made it through, we all be good pals now, hah? Yyeahhh. Maybe we make a caravan of our own, maybe some raiders come calling. Save ourselves some work, hah? He greedily counts out his share of coin before entering private conversation with the good Captain.

[KingOfCowards]

With twelve more gold pieces to his name, plus whatever is in the red pouch, Jaspar will lean back and take advantage of the hospitality. He will be the last to enter the private room.

[OGRE MAGE]

Sev

Wait.....................We were drugged?

He takes his coin and enters the private room right before Jasper.