The Adventure Begins

NOTE: THIS STORY IS BASED OFF OF THE PATHFINDER RPG. SOME COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL HAS BEEN USED UNDER THE OPEN GAMING LICENSE RULES.
Storyline by Justin Groby
Compiled by Amber Manuel  

Help Wanted at World’s Edge Mountain!!

Workers needed to clear out and clean up an abandoned mine. All interested parties will receive necessary provisions for the work and any goods found in the cleaning of the mine belong to the finder. Stay on once the mine is up and running and take a share in the profit!!

Interested parties should come see Gerard Eckram the halfling at The Elephant’s Tusk Tavern!   

The flyer was an all-call, which meant that all sorts would be signing up. Filayne Killethym was ready to move on from the trade post Yanmass, which was deep in the desert of Taldor, and she could use a little extra coin for the trip out of this hellish waste. The sun was hot and burned her skin and eyes, and everything was covered in sand. And no matter what she tried, it kept getting in her mouth!

It was a two to three day ride through the desert to get to the mountain, which was, oddly enough, the only mountain in the desert. The walled trade post accommodated about six to seven thousand people at the moment, though it could swell to more than ten thousand during peak trading time.

The population lived in clay brick buildings with awnings covering most of the sidewalks to protect pedestrians from the glare of the sun. She had invested in local garb after a couple days there, and kept the thin cloth over her skin at all times while she was outdoors, including the headgear. It felt odd, but it kept the sun from burning her pale skin and was, oddly enough, cooler than wearing less.

Filayne found The Elephant’s Tusk without a hitch. Since she had spent the night in a different tavern every night for the past fortnight, it wasn’t an unfamiliar place. The place was a mid-level inn with plenty of business and gambling going on. Taking off her headgear, she smiled at a few familiar faces, found a seat where she could watch the whole room, and settled in to get a feel of the place.

There weren’t any groups of people who didn’t appear to fit together. She had an eye on a Halfling with a white cloak and blue robes, however. Obviously of the magic-wielding types, he was sitting alone at a table with a raven standing before him digging through a bowl of something. She hoped it wasn’t eyeballs.

A fair half-elf entered the bar, dressed in cleric’s robes with the symbol of Sarenrae, the goddess of healing, honesty, redemption and the sun, on them. Appropriate, given the locale. The half-elf's long hair curled gently down her back in golden waves and there was a tightness about her flashing emerald eyes that told Filayne she wasn't a cleric who spent all of her time inside a temple. 

The female half-elf looked around before she walked straight to the Halfling. From her vantage point, Filayne couldn’t hear what was being said, but from their body language, she could tell the two weren’t acquainted.

Then the two were nodding. The half-elf sat down beside the Halfling, who waved for the serving wench to stop by. They spoke for a moment and she saw the flash of gold. The wench’s eyes widened as she took the coin, and when she walked away, she bit it, testing to see if it was real. From the way she sped up, Filayne knew it was.

Filayne nodded to herself as she got up and made her way over to the Halfling’s table. “Gerard Eckram,” she stated, holding his gaze with hers.

He inclined his head.

“I’ve heard you have need of workers and I have nothing better to do at the moment.”

He nodded. “You get all the equipment you need – to keep – and what things of value you find, you can keep.”

She shrugged and glanced at the half-elf, hoping she wouldn’t be a problem. “Count me in. I’m Filayne. You may call me Layne.”

“You already know I’m Gerard, and this is Lilianna.”

“Cleric of the Dawn Flower,” the half-elf added. “My services are yours should you require them.”

Filayne smiled as she sat down. “Let us hope that I do not,” she said, and took a mug from the table, filling it from the jar of wine in the center of the table.

From up close she could see that Lilianna wasn't a typical cleric. She definitely didn't sit around in a temple all day. She’s seen a fair share of battles. It’s in the fine lines around her eyes and the way she looks around the room, always on alert.

Filayne preferred her back to a wall so that she could keep an eye on the whole room, but that wasn't always possible. So she sat and sipped her drink and listened to the conversations around them.

Gerard told them that he owned the mine and that it’s in the desert of Taldo. Filayne already knew that, but then again, she's one of those who knows loads of things that other people don’t. The mine is minerals and ore, and he’s planning on using one of the bartering stations along the way to keep their water and rations fresh. That wouldn’t be a problem for Filayne. She intended to bring her own.

A young boy of maybe fourteen stalked up to the table. “I don’t want any payment until there’s results from my work,” he stated straight out.

“Aren’t you a little young to be joining this type of venture?” Lilianna intoned.

“I’m fourteen! I’m a man now!” he huffed. “And it’s not like I’m going to stay at that crappy orphanage any longer!”

Filayne could tell by his clothes which orphanage he stayed at. The place wasn’t a shining example of how children who’ve lost their parents should be kept.

Thinking of parents gave her a twinge, so she gulped down some wine. “Welcome to the venture!” she told him. She saw no reason why he shouldn't come along. It certainly beat being in that orphanage.

“Indeed,” Gerard said. “What’s your name?”

“Wilham,” he replied and caught the barmaid’s attention. Pulling out a copper, he handed it to her. “A drink, if you will!”

She nodded and walked away. Filayne wondered if he knew he had just ordered the dregs of the barrels. From the looks of him, he probably did.

“Point of interest: how are we going to be traveling?” Filayne asked her new employer.

“We’re going to go with horses and a wagon if needed. Depends on how much interest we get.” 

She decided she would gather her horse and provision for the mare as well. Star was no warhorse, but she was quicker than walking.

A man dressed in dark clothes similar to the desert clothing Filayne wore walked up. He unlatched a part of his facemask and sat down. “I am Osamu. I am an assassin and I can be of assistance.”

The bar nearly went silent.

Filayne edged away from the newcomer. She could hold her own, but there was something about this human that made her twitchy. Oh yeah, it was the blatant “I can kill you before you can blink” written on his forehead.

“Uh, we’re not really looking to kill anyone here,” Gerard started.

“I can be like insurance policy. In case someone attacks the caravan.”

Gerard shrugs, apparently deciding another pair of hands was another pair of hands. “Okay. Barkeep? Another round!”

While they were waiting a big, hulking beast of a...beast...walked up. Filayne looked up and kept on going. He had to be at least seven feet tall, and the most hideous creature she had seen to date. And she had seen some pretty hideous creatures.

“I help mine gold,” the hulk stated.

“Uh,” Gerard stuttered. “Well, it’s a mineral mine…”

The huge beast unhooked a massive iron maul from its straps on his back and rested it against the table as he sat down. His face and chest were a mass of scars. He rubbed his shoulder - the one that swung the maul.

“And we’ll be glad to have you!” Gerard finished brightly. Filayne covered her mouth to hide a grin.

“What’s your name?” Gerard pressed.

“Rock.”

“What?”

“Rock! Like thing you walk on.”

“It’s another insurance policy,” Filayne said, to general laughter.

He turned his horrible tusked visage towards her. “What insurance policy?”

“Oh, nothing,” Filayne backpedaled. There’s a time and a place for all things and this was neither the time nor the place…

He seemed to accept her reply and pulled out a mug, slamming it down on the table. It promptly shattered, leaving him cursing. A moment later the barmaid brought him a metal one.

“When we leaving?” he demanded after draining his mug of wine and refilling it.

“In the morning,” Gerard replied. “We’re just gearing up tonight.”

“You covering my board tonight?” Rock demanded.

“Yeah,” Gerard said. “The last I heard the stables were open.”

He nodded while everyone stifled laughter, finished his drink and then got up and walked away.

“Wow and I thought commoners were stupid,” Willham said under his breath. Shaking his head, he got up. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

“I’ll be staying at the Dawn Flower Temple,” Lilianna told us as she, too, stood. “I’ll just go provision up as well.”

No sooner had she walked away than did a new person walk up.

“Are you Gerard Eckram?” the human asked softly. 

It’s an indoor voice, Filayne noted. A scholarly voice. The hand-written copy of Gerard’s all-call lent credit to Filayne’s assumption.

“I’m Talia Tenguard,” the human said. “I’m a bit down on my luck and could help out.” She flourished the scribed all call.

“You’re welcome to join us,” Gerard said, adding the routine verbiage.

“When are we leaving?” she asked when he was finished.

“Mid-morning.”

“I don’t suppose I could get an advance?” she asked, her gaze darting to Filayne, who noted that Talia's cheeks flushed upon the asking. “I could use a few items that I see you yourself use,” Talia said to Gerard.

“How much?” Gerard asked.

“Oh, two or three platinum should take care of it.”

Filayne watched as money exchanged hands. Talia’s coin purse was fair empty but Gerard wasn't having such troubles.

“You get all sorts, don’t you?” Filayne said to Gerard.

“That’s what you get when you put out an all-call,” Talia stated bluntly.

Filayne blinked. She had a feeling she wasn’t going to like Talia. “I have business,” she said, pushing back from the table without waiting for acknowledgement, let alone a response. She walked across the room and sat down at one of the gambling tables. The game was dice, and her roll had to beat the house roll for her to win. She played a few games before she cut her losses and wrapped her protective head gear back around her face.

Outside, the heat of day was pressing down hard. Most people were indoors, but some took advantage of the quiet to get a few things done. She found a permanent merchant whose walls were made of clay and stepped inside to make a few purchases. She used a five-finger discount on a pair of goggles with smoked lenses. The item would be incredibly useful to keep the harsh glare of the sun out of her eyes, but there was no way she was going to pay the asking price for them!

When her items were secured, she wandered the city for a while. She passed by the orphanage where she figured Willham had run away from and paused. Inside the covered dirt courtyard, Lilianna was surrounded by children, laughing and playing with them.Her cleric's robes were dirty and her skin was flushed in pure joy. The children were obviously enjoying the attention as well.

With a smile, Filayne continued wandering the city, making a few rare purchases before starting back towards The Elephant’s Tusk.

“Aren’t you one of Gerard’s party?”

Filayne looked to find Talia engaging her. She smiled tightly and introduced herself properly. She listened with half an ear while Talia chattered about the trip, and was grateful when her attention was diverted at the inn.

A gnome sat at the table with Gerard, and the two were engaged in deep conversation. Filayne ordered ale and brought it back to the table. Talia introduced herself to the newcomer and Filayne overheard the gnome’s name was Khar. He was a merchant interested in seeing what all was in the mine and helping Gerard start a his sales up. 

“I'm also an apothecary.”

Filayne’s ears perked up. She wondered if she could have Khar make some potions for her…

A loud thud beside the table announced that Rock had returned. He looked around the room with his mouth hanging open, scowling at the people there.

“There should be music,” he stated. “Why isn’t there music?”

“I think it’s too early for that,” Filayne said from experience.

“Do you play any music?”

She shook her head and watched in amusement as he asked each person at the table. When they all said no, he looked crestfallen.

Lilianna sat down at a vacant chair and Rock pounced on her. “Can you play any music?”

She blinked at him. “I can pray for you.”

“Does it sound like moaning?”

The half-elf just blinked at him while Gerard choked on his drink. Filayne covered her mouth to hide her chuckle.

“No entertainment!” Rock finally concluded. “I thought this place would have some entertainment!”

Filayne ordered dinner and sat back to watch her new companions. The gnome and the Halfling were still talking and Lilianna and Talia were speaking as well. The assassin, Rock, and herself all seemed content to keep to themselves, though Rock grumbled about the lack of entertainment.

As the serving wench set out dinner for the table, Filayne caught sight of a man carrying a lute stepping inside the tavern. She smiled as he spoke briefly with the bartender before finding a corner to play in. She hadn't seen this bard before, and wanted to know which direction he came from.

The moment the bard's first chords filled the air, Rock perked up, eating and drinking in amiable silence.

After a while, a traveling troupe walked. Filayne waited until they were set up to approach them.

“Your music would be a perfect accompaniment for my dancing,” she offered.

“Sure,” the drummer said. “We can’t offer you much of the cut, but you’re welcome to join.”

With a nod, she headed up to the room she had secured earlier in the day and changed into her entertainer’s outfit. Setting a trap on the lock to keep out any thieves, she headed out.

Back downstairs, the inn was beginning to come alive. Filayne began to dance around the room, flirting with the patrons all around the tavern to earn better tips.  Seeing that Lilianna was chair dancing, Filayne moved gracefully over and pulled the half-elf to her feet.
           “You're so pale!” Lilianna laughed. “You need to get out in the sun some more!”

With a grin, Filayne showed the cleric a few moves before dancing away.

Before long the night was dragging. The occupants in the inn thinned out, her new party members all went up to bed, and Filayne finally collected her earnings. 

“Out of curiosity, are you new to town?” she asked the bards. 

“We aren't exactly new, but we just arrived earlier this week.”

“Really? Do you happen to know of an elf named Kyaer Dwin'eplith? He's maybe 5'8" with blond hair, blue eyes. Plays just about any instrument he can get his hands on.”

 “Seems like there was someone," one of the men said. “Yes, it was about three weeks ago now, back in Merciful Bay.”

Filayne kept her expression carefully neutral despite that she knew Kyaer would have moved on by now. Even if she did ride out to Merciful Bay starting tonight, it would take her the better part of a ten day to get there. And Kyaer was mostly likely long gone anyway. “Was he travelling with anyone?”

“A robed gnome with a tome strapped across his back, and another guy. A taller one. Didn't get a good look at him, though.”

“What about the elf's instruments? Were they fine quality?” she pressed. 

“Very fine. A master's work at least.”

She handed over a few coins from her earnings because information didn't come cheap. “I appreciate your time, and if you happen to see him - the elf - again, would you tell him that Firro was looking for him here in Yanmass?”

The bard nodded, and she bade the minstrels goodnight.