Another stranger, another friend
"Well met!" Rondad extends a hand in greeting. "What road has brought you to this place, such that you sit alone and do not have the look of a local?"
"Well met to you fine sir", replies the man in reddish brown robe, taking the hand of the man who greets him. "I have journeyed a long and tedious road from Suzail through Tilverton and now I find myself here in Shadowdale. I am known by the name of Coble Constantine and as you say I do not look the part of a local. Perhaps you would join me and in return for my tale, you might provide me with some local information."
Taking a seat, Coble pulls out a chair for the man who has offered him his hand.
"I have traveled here from River's Bend, a small fishing village in the mountains near Suzail. My mother was the village healer and herbalist and she taught me her knowledge of herbs, although I have not her gift for healing. My father was a wanderer who my mother met in her youth. I seem to have taken in his ambition to travel, for since reaching my manhood, I have traveled far from my home and would explore these realms in my quest for knowledge and power. Born as I was under the moon, I have always had a restless and wild nature."
Sitting back in his chair, the stranger pauses to drink from a glass of fine mead. He is a man slightly shorter than average, with clear brown eyes, and reddish brown hair. He does not stand out in any way, and in fact seems to blend into his background. A black walnut walking stick rests by his side and seems to never be far from his right hand. His reddish brown robes cover a tan tunic, breeches and brown boots. The dust on his boots and garments fits one who has traveled a long road here from Tilverton.
"I have traveled here on the advice of my teacher, who claimed that I would be likely to find a fair share of adventure and knowledge here in the dales of Shadow." Coble's hand moves slightly on his walking stick at the mention of his former teacher. "He felt that momentous things were happening here and bid me travel this way. Having done so, I now find myself uncertain of where I should go now that I have arrived here." I would beseech you for any knowledge you might have of strange events of happenings."
Looking expectantly towards the stranger at his table, Coble continues: "I would be certain to reward in whatever way you might wish, your help in this matter. Whether services of some type, or coinage be your wish." Sitting back now Coble rests and scans the rest of the establishment. "I see that you have friends here with you. Is it adventure of some sort which brings you here as well?"
Then taking another sip of wine, the slender man pauses for his new acquaintance to speak.
"Whether it be fate or just happenstance, I am pleased to meet you Coble. I am Rondad Theralin of Phlan. I too have journeyed much in my life and I think we might share more than just weary legs... if our *teachers* shared the same artform."
Rondad shifts the sword at his side in order to more comfortably take a seat next to Coble. He drinks another sip of wine and looks over at the others when Coble mentions them.
"Like you, all of them are very recent acquaintances. It almost seems that the gods have led us to each other. Are you a religious man, Mr. Constantine? If not, now might be the time to find it."
The tall warrior pauses and murmurs a short prayer under his breath. "I do not wish to alarm you but it sounds as if you are not aware of the evil that has befallen the Dalelands. Mistledale has been ransacked by an army of humanoids. A red tower of evil now stands where good dalemen once lived in peace. And worst of all, this army is led by an evil mage who must wield incredible power to control such an army."
"I have no need of your coins but perhaps you might be interested in aiding our cause." Rondad rises. "Come with me and I will introduce you." He walks back to the table closely followed by Coble. "My friends, I would like you to meet Mr. Coble Constantine."
Rondad introduces Coble to each member of the party in turn and then takes his seat. He returns to his quiet, thought-filled meditation and continues to sip slowy from his wine glass.
Myrage smiles at the stranger, "Well met friend."
“Don’t judge us by our current condition,” Blake motions to Belak and Tal. “We are just enjoying one last evening before things get serious.” “Welcome aboard Coble,” Blake pours him a ale and slides it down to the other end of the table. “Looks like the numbers are starting to shift to our favor.” Blake laughs some more and washes a piece of mutton down with ale.