The Beginning

Adventure Background: Every one is eager to attend De-Chandelin's annual Festival of Reaping to celebrate this year's harvest. Town streets are crowded with visitors, and taverns are overflowing as vendors and merchants have filled Market Square. Music fills the air as Bards and Minstrels sing of the glories of yesteryear. Children play in the streets; dancing around may poles. The mouthwatering aromas of freshly baked bread, cooked meats, and sweet cakes waft through the crowds. Carts and booths line the streets as merchants look to sell their wares. The air smells of roasted nuts, ale, and sweet cakes. Crowds of children have gathered round a puppeteer's show that told the story of a wolf that can change into a man. An attractive elven minstrel (Lark Moonsong) standing on stump sings the song of Roland and the 12 peers, and smiles suggestively to anyone who throws a coin or two into her jar.

As the festival hits full stride, jugglers, tumbles, and other entertainers perform on a stage in the center of Market Square. The crowd claps and cheers for the performers and good will fills the air. About 3:00 in the afternoon, De-Chandelin's mayor (Eric Marshall) steps up on the stage:"Welcome. Welcome! Are we having a great Festival of Reaping or what? As many of you know, our fair town was once a pirate's strong hold before the De-Chandelin family put an end to their treacherous ways. To celebrate our pirate's heritage, we have something special for this year's festival a Reaping; the Pirate’s Challenge. Anyone who's interested in the Pirate's Challenge let's meet in front of the stage here. This year's festival prize is this shiny champion's medal which entitles our Champion to free food and drink for the rest of the night.

Only four participants accepted the Pirate’s Challenge; Theraven a Paladin from Moret, Haldir a Monk from Moret, Carvalur a Rogue for Moret, and James "The Weasel" Fountain from De-Chandelin. Just before the competition, Theraven was introduced to Labon, a friendly Cleric from De-Chandelin who offered to watch his belongings while he was competing in the challenge. Theraven agreed, and a small bond of friendship was formed.

Theraven managed to successfully climb the ship's rigging, only to slip while walking the plank. Haldir, an unlikely crowd favorite, failed even to climb the ship's rigging and was knocked out of competition rather quickly. Carvalur displayed great strength and skill as he completed the challenge with ease. The Weasel also showed a high degree of skill as he navigated the obstacles to complete the course as well. The champion was crowned only after a grueling combat between Carvalur and The Weasel; one that Carvalur managed to pull off a narrow victory.

Carvalur as name Festival Champion and was treated to free food and drink for the remainder of the festival. During the evening Carvalur was greeted with nods of approval and pats on the back for his skill at becoming the festival champion.

Campaign Kick-Off October 17, 1207: After dining at the mayor's table, Carvalur, Theraven, Haldir, and Labon heard cries for help at the south end of market square and came to the aid of Mildred and Gertrude who were being attacked by several blood thirsty Cobolds. Theraven's blade dug deep, Carvalur's arrows found their mark, and Haldir's bow shot true as they managed to drive away the creatures; killing five in the process. Labon offered aid and healing to the women who were attacked, but Gertrude was beyond help, but his healing power was not wasted as Theraven, Carvalur, and Haldir were all injured in the battle.

While discussing the attack, the party was joined by Celine, a condescending Arcanist, that had a great deal of knowledge about the Cobolds. She informed the group that this type of Cobold, was an extremely aggressive creature that generally never retreated from battle, and were encountered underground or in the forest; interesting points to be sure. Shortly thereafter, the town's guards showed up and the group decided to call it a night.

October 18, 1207: Early in the morning, Carvalur, Theraven, Haldir, and Labon were summoned the Mayor Marshall's office to discuss the disappearance of Trisha Bridger, a nine year old girl that went missing last night. De-Chandelin's sheriff's, Robert Marshall, men have searched the town for the girl, but have discovered nothing; save an old lady who says she heard a little girl crying near Farmer's Ledge, but to too afraid to investigate.

After a brief conversation with Miss Miller, the party learned that Miss Miller did in fact hear crying last night, and guided the party to where she thought the sounds were coming from. After a search of the area, the party discovered a collection of small booted footprints; undoubtedly from the Cobolds.

Unable to track the Cobolds, the party was forced to seek out Celine for help. Reluctantly, Celine agreed to help, but only after discussing matters with Bosan Ryan who was at the Crow's Nest recruiting new crew for ship "The Morning Star". The event wasting valuable time, and the party feared they may be too late to save young Trisha Bridger.

After a few failed attempts, and with guidance from the party, Celine was able to track the Cobolds for several miles. Around dusk, the party discovered a camp, presumably made by the Cobolds, and were forced to camp here, Celine being unable to track the creatures at night.

October 19, 1207: The next morning, the party discovered that the Cobolds had mounted some type of swine, and were moving in the direction of Carlisle's keep; an abandoned fortress at the edge of Carlisle's Marsh. This was a turn of events Celine had not planned for, and decided that returning to De-Chandelin was in her best interest, so she left the group. The remaining party members pushed on, and found that following the swine in the softening marsh ground was easy, and tracked the swine most of the day. Due to their inexperience, they were unable to calculate how many swine they were tracking. At the end of the day, the swine trail ended at an overgrown cobblestone road, Labon surmised that the road led directly to Carlisle's Keep, so the party gave up tracking the swine and set their sights on the keep.

October 20, 1207: After spending a cool night outside, the party followed cobblestone road until mid-morning when they discovered the abandoned keep. Entry to the keep was more challenging than anticipated, and both Theraven and Haldir found themselves in the moat battling a giant water spider. Although a difficult contest, the party was victorious and managed to gain entry into the keep only to be ambushed by two Cobold guards. The Cobolds were quickly defeated and the party continued their search for the missing girl. They discovered that most of the keep's ground level had been ransacked, but met heavy resistance when they moved to the dungeon level.

As the party entered the dungeon level they were attached by two Cobold warriors, a Rogue, and a Sorcerer. Carvalur would have succumbed to one of the sorcerer's spell had his elven blood not protected him. As the battle turned in the party's favor, the Sorcerer retreated; only to find his path blocked by Labon. As Labon and the sorcerer battled, the rest of the group dispatched the remaining Cobolds and the sorcerer was no match for group's combined prowess.

Search the Cobold's lair, the party discovered the remains of Trisha Bridger, her throat slit and her body drained of blood. They also discovered a clue that could possible explain the reason for the Trisha's kidnapping and murder, as well as a greater plot.

Greetings Rukko,

Because of your strength and reputation, you have been selected for a special mission. Your actions will set in motion events to change history and end the reign of Humans, Elves, and Dwarves. Find of us child who is pure of heart and has known no lover. The child's life must be forfeit on defiled ground and its blood placed in the sacred relic delivered with this missive.

Once you have secured the sacrifice, deliver it to The Weasel in De-Chandelin. The Weasel frequents a tavern known as The Crow's Nest; make haste for many oppose our mission.

The Chameleon

Rukko's Missive

Carlisle's Keep