SESSION 3: A THIEF, FIGHTER AND A BARBARIAN ENTER A TAVERN
Two more uneventful days pass as the small caravan continues on its way to the Keep.
They fall into a routine with the guards forming a loose parameter around the caravan, Roddric ordering people around with small instructions, Wilfred feeding and watering the horses, Odbart and Karla holding hands and thanking everyone and Halee, Ansic and Cord trudging along towards the back.
As they travel, the three adventures amuse each other with shared stories about their past exploits.
Ansic tells tall fishing tails of the big ones that have gotten away and that he's going to the Keep on the borderlands to make his fortune as a mercenary by gathering bounties from killing monsters at something called the Caves of Chaos that he had heard about. He wants to retire and buy a little villa by a lake and fish.
Halee, the ever practical one, loves this idea and starts to work out plans for what type of equipment they should take. She keeps questioning Ansic about how many monsters are there, what type are they, are they all located on the one place or spread out, what does the Caves of Chaos' mean, is that one cave or a series of caves etc?
Ansic doesn't know of course but he smiles as the plucky little thief tries to work out all the details.
Cord struts around the caravan, oiling his chest and doing peck lifts. He offers advice on the latest nutritional regime that the local witch doctor has put him on and periodically drops to the ground and does a lot of push ups or tries to lift heavy things, like a horse or a cart. He is very interested in the Caves too but only has one question "Are we there yet?"
The small trio begin to bond and they enter into a pact. They will go to the Caves and work together to collect bounties and get rich.
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The next day it's pouring rain. They progress slowly as the road turns to mud and the carts often become bogged.
It takes all day to get to the small village at the foot of the Keep.
They are exhausted as Roddric tells them of this little place. "Come on", he shivers, "I know this tavern, The Salty Tusk, it's got a fine purveyor there, Eldred. He'll look after us."
As they wind their way up the last of the track they can see the Keep in the distance and the small village of a score or so of little houses. Warm fires burn within and they can smell the sweet scents of cooking food.
Approaching The Salty Tusk they begin to hear the sounds of reveling within the small but inviting Tavern. It's obvious that there is some type of party or event going on in there.
Upon entering they see quite a scene. In the middle of the room there is a little halfling, Risandor, banging away on his tambor and singing "We're going to the Caves of Chaos!!! We're going to the Caves of Chaos!!!" as he jigs from one foot to the other.
Around him, seated in the booths are a ½ a dozen or so locals, drinking ice cold ale, banging their tankards down upon the table in time with the halfling and singing "They're going to the Caves of Chaos!!! They're going to the Caves of Chaos!!!"
Eldred Hester, the barman and owner of the tavern, is busily running around making sure that everyone is appropriately lubricated.
Just in front of the bar there is the local noble and Castellan, Markis Greylock. He is flanked by the head of the guard, Captain Garin, the local Curate, Heinrich and two of the Keep guards.
Negotiating in front of him is a stout dwarf, Uthalin and a man, Tomas. Deep in conversation they are largely ignoring the racket being made by the halfling.
Cord immediately raises his hands above his head and starts cheering "We're going to the Caves of Chaos!!! We're going to the Caves of Chaos!!!". Caught up in the frivolity, he is quickly joined by Ansic, "We're going to the Caves of Chaos!!! We're going to the Caves of Chaos!!!".
Halee face plants and whispers to herself "Ohhh god what have I gotten myself into."
Eldred Hester runs over to the new comers, bringing with him a serving plate full of cold tankards of ale. He warmly greets Roddric, "Roddric my good friend, it's been too long."
"What's all this racket?" asks Roddric.
"A mighty party of three adventurers have agreed to go to the Caves of Chaos. They are over there now, negotiating for some supplies with the Castellan. They are going to rid us forever of the monsters from the caves. It looks like two of your companions want to join them". He turns to Cord and Ansic, "Go, go quickly, they are looking for new members to join their party now."
Ansic and Cord quickly push past the two and rush over to the Castellan eager to get some of this action.
Halee follows along just knowing that she is going to regret this.
Markis Greylock sees them coming and welcomes them with a wave of his arm. "My friends, if you too are interested in going to the Caves, I'll pay a 10gp bounty for every pair of monster ears that you bring to me. And, in addition, because we know it's a dangerous quest, the generous Curate Heinrich will give each you a potion of Cure Light Wounds with the blessings of Asmodeus. May you bring law and order to those filthy, chaotic caves and their monstrous residents."
The dwarf and human turn and shake hands with the new comers "We split the treasure equal ways", growls the resolute dwarf.
"Agreed" says Ansic.
They talk through the details of their mission. They'll leave in the morning.
DEW
