Chapter 1: The Mission!
D.Y. 500, The twenty-fourth day of Springtide.
-----The sun rises in the early morning behind cloudy skies this day in the Town of Hearthorn. A gentle breeze plays about the buildings and streets. The small flags atop the towers and castle walls extend in the moving air. Activity begins slowly inside the small shops and houses as the town wakes up for the new day.
-----In the public chamber of the Town Hall building, Lord Chamberlain Sarius sits behind the high bench. To each side of him stands a guard, each wearing chain armor and carrying shields as well as their weapons. He waits patiently as he watches them enter the chamber.
-----First, the guards escort in a young warrior wearing chain armor covered with a surcoat of indigo and yellow. Next, there enters a rugged-looking woodsman accompanied by a stern young woman dressed in colors of tan and green under her leather armor. A gray wolf silently pads in, following the couple. Then, a beautiful young girl with curly blond hair walks in with a wide-eyed expression. The color of her dress almost matches the gold of her hair.
-----After a few moments, Jacian Dawnrider, The Sun Lord from the temple dedicated to Solarius, walks in with three other people. One of them appears to be a half-elven girl with dark black hair and eyes. Her lean muscles and catlike stride exude agility and strength.
-----Standing beside her is a young half-elven male wearing the clothing of a well to do traveler. A harp is slung over one shoulder.
-----Last, but certainly not least, is an interesting looking halfling wearing black leather armor. On his head is perched a tri-cornered hat and at his shoulder is a colorful parrot.
-----The Lord Chamberlain rises from behind the bench and addresses the people in attendance. Sarius appears to be an average height man though he seems strong in body as well as character. His bronze skinned face is framed with curly black hair and when he speaks his voice is clear and commanding.
-----"Good morning, I am Sarius, the Lord Chamberlain of the Court of Lord Lambert. I regret that Lord Lambert cannot meet with you personally today as he has been summoned before the Royal Court in Goldren. However, I am charged with speaking in his behalf."
-----"I am pleased that each of you are here today as the mission I am about to speak of is of the utmost importance to not only Hearthorn, but possibly to all of the Kingdom of Altoria."
-----"Before I give you more information, I would request that each of you step forward and identify yourself to the rest of your fellow citizens."
-----The diminutive halfling steps to the forefront, seemingly not at all abashed to be one of the first to speak in front of the august company of dignitaries and soldiers. As he steps forward, the onlookers can't help but notice that he seems to have several brightly colored candles tied to the sparse whiskers on his chin. In addition to this, a somewhat bedraggled parrot is perched on his left shoulder. As the halfling moves, it seems to bob up and down, but keeps completely motionless until he takes a step.
-----His clothing is also somewhat unusual, underneath his leather armor can be seen a tattered red silk vest. Around his waist is a green sash, apparently serving as a belt. His pants are a vivid yellow that almost hurts the eye to look upon. These pants are in turn tucked into a pair of calf high black boots, which seems to be a match for the tri-cornered hat and the leather armor. The handles of several small throwing knives can be seen sheathed along the chest area of the armor. A bent short sword is belted to the waist.
-----The halfling speaks, "Arrr, I be The Dread Pirate Gimplefwick WispyBeard of the WispyBeard clan o' pirates. I've sailed the seven seas and battled me way through most of the land in between. I've seen things o' wonder that most can't even imagine. I've climbed the mountains of far Kilgarash and cut the heads off of foul undead demons from the pits of Hades itself."
-----The halfling waves his hand magnanimously at the rest of the adventurers, "Seein as how we'll be spendin a lot o' time together, I'll be allowin ye to call me Dread. Or Gimplefwick. But if ye feel ye have to call me Captain, I'll understand, even though we aren't on me frigate."
-----The Dread Pirate seems about to step back, but then pauses and addresses, the Chamberlain, "Here now, matey, I was told to speak to Lord Lambert about me and my crew gettin recompensed fer this little trip. Seein as how we'll be away from home and our business concerns, riskin life and limb for the good of the world and all. Maybe the church could chip in and throw in a couple healin' potions as well. Seein' as how we'll be battlin' evil folk and all."
-----Gimplefwick pauses for a moment and then a thought seems to cross his mind, "And while we're at it, I'd like one o' those pegasus I've heard of. Or is it pegasi? One o' those winged horses that fly about. That'd be nice as well." The colorful halfling steps back, almost drooling at the thought of flying about, swooping in on his enemies as they scatter before his maniacal laughter and shining cutlass. He then reaches in his pack and pulls out a pie, which he contentedly munches on as the others speak.