It is a beautiful Summer afternoon in the Gnomish city called Fibrit.
Theradas and Wildon are walking through the bustling streets.
They are on their way to meet their Dragonborn companion, Breezyre.
The 3 friends have worked jobs together in the past, and just recently they took a contract up to head into the wilderness and track down a bounty.
Breezyre is a Soldier turned mercenary for hire.
Fibrit is full of anything you could imagine of buying.
As you two walk down the avenues, heading to meet the Dragonborn at the pub, you see a bit of commotion down a side-street.
An argument is becoming quite heated between a wood-elf merchant and a human noble..
"YOUR DIRTY MONEY IS NO GOOD HERE, YOU SLAVE-DRIVER! GO BACK TO YOUR FANCY ABODE BUILT WITH THE MONEY MADE OFF THE BACKS OF MY KIN!"
The Elf spits on the noble and a brawl breaks out...
You recognize the noble, Jalanther Ornstaaf. He is a young human aristocrat whom owns a significant chunk of property in Fibrit, and heir to a mine in the nearby canyons. Many elves work in the mine.
Wildon, the Wood Elf merchant stops and backs away, stammering:
"Wildon, Sir, I'm s s sorry about that. It's just, this arrogant noble is trying to cheat me and he's a dirty slaver!"
"Watch your tongue!" Shouts the noble. But, he is visibly shook by Wildon's magic. "Enough of this nonsense, I am wasting my time. Hmmph" He scurries off hurriedly back into foot traffic, towards the wealthy end of town, where nobles dwell.
Theradas watches as Jalanther passes by, he is sweating, nervous, perhaps ill? Something about the noble's behaviour seems off. He is being rash, acting that way in public during the day.
Wildon, you are well known to locals here, this Wood Elf merchant asks if he can repay you somehow?
'' No payment needed my good Elf, the streets must be kept peaceful. But perhaps a moment of your time. What's your name? and what was that Ornstaaf fellow doing in this part of town?''
The elf seems a bit nervous speaking about the matter..
"I am Sido. Well, everybody knows about the Ornstaaf mine, and how they "hire" lots of elves to work there."
(Both of you are aware of the rumors: Most people know the Ornstaaf's are a longtime organized crime affiliated family. They basically bully elves into working for them.)
"I heard something else recently though, something awful. I know a guy who left the mine recently, he's laying low. He told me he saw some strange goings on down there. Workers missing. Rat and vermin infestations. Cold air. The smell of death in the ground he said."
(The miners harvest a mineral-like root that is used for alcohol and other goods. Rumroot. The mine is just an hour ride by wagon, South of Fibrit.)
''Well Sido that's interesting.. who is this former miner? I'd like to know more, maybe we could help with the situation? As a Rock Gnome I am no stranger to the underground. As you can see I'm an accomplished Wizard and my firend Theredas is an astute Ranger, I'm confident we can handle any nasties we may encounter. ''
"To be honest sir, I shouldn't be talking about him.. He is worried he will get in trouble for leaving the mine and talking about the strange things.. But, I may have an item here for you that could help. Only 10 gold, Sir. If you're interested?"
Sido produces a bottle of what looks like bootlegger spirits of some kind. Attached is a small rolled up note..
Theradas: You see at the other end of the alley is your companion Breezeyre, the Dragoborn. He is waving in your direction and holding a couple flagons of ale.
"Oi! You lot come on! We got work to do!"
He ducks back into the side-door of the bustling, smokey, loud pub.
Feeling anxious to get on with the business at hand, Theradas produces 10 gold pieces and gives it to the wood elf for the "wine". He then bows and graciously thanks the elf and heads towards the pub while attempting to pull Wildon by the scruff of his neck.
Wildon, offering no resistance is hoisted away by Theredas .. exclaiming '' farewell Sido! And thank you for the 'drink' we hope to see you soon!"
As they head towards the tavern..
"This is an interesting development Theredas. We should inform Breezeyre of what we have learned after we conduct our prior business. I'm not the biggest fan of ale, I wonder if they sell sweetwine in this establishment?"
Wildon and Theradas wake up to Breezeyre shoving them around.
"Where the 100 hells have you two been?!?!"
You are both very confused...
The last thing you remember is Breezeyre waving you into the tavern.
But you are in some ditch, now. Covered in mud. And that bottle Theradas bought from Sido is empty. What a headache!
Breezeyre continues shouting angrily: "I thought you were coming to join me in the tavern 2 days ago? I saw you in the alley and then lost track of ye! Looks to me like you two have been partying away while I hunt down clues on our bounty. On top of that, I had to slog 5 miles down the country road to even find a trace of you! We're in the middle of nowhere!"
Breezeyre steps away to smoke his pipe and brood.
You two are in the ditch, hungover, hungry, and ill. The bottle is empty, of liquid.... In the very bottom there is a note rolled up with string... It is a bit damp but looks waterproofed...
You are in the country, surrounded by farms and hills.
Hey it's the first post!
"Not all those who wander are lost."
Cool! I get my thinking cap on!
Let's begin....
It is a beautiful Summer afternoon in the Gnomish city called Fibrit.

Theradas and Wildon are walking through the bustling streets.
They are on their way to meet their Dragonborn companion, Breezyre.
The 3 friends have worked jobs together in the past, and just recently they took a contract up to head into the wilderness and track down a bounty.
Breezyre is a Soldier turned mercenary for hire.
Fibrit is full of anything you could imagine of buying.
As you two walk down the avenues, heading to meet the Dragonborn at the pub, you see a bit of commotion down a side-street.
An argument is becoming quite heated between a wood-elf merchant and a human noble..
"YOUR DIRTY MONEY IS NO GOOD HERE, YOU SLAVE-DRIVER! GO BACK TO YOUR FANCY ABODE BUILT WITH THE MONEY MADE OFF THE BACKS OF MY KIN!"
The Elf spits on the noble and a brawl breaks out...
You recognize the noble, Jalanther Ornstaaf. He is a young human aristocrat whom owns a significant chunk of property in Fibrit, and heir to a mine in the nearby canyons. Many elves work in the mine.
(What would you two like to do?)
"Not all those who wander are lost."
Wildon casts his Prestidigitation cantrip creating a gust of wind down the alley and bellows.. '' what is the meaning of this commotion??''
Theradas notices the gnome's lack of tact and decides to stay silent and see how the conversation develops.
Wildon needs to make an Intimidation roll please.
Theradas give me a perception check.
"Not all those who wander are lost."
Rolled an unnatural 20
Rolled a nat 20 :D
Wildon, the Wood Elf merchant stops and backs away, stammering:
"Wildon, Sir, I'm s s sorry about that. It's just, this arrogant noble is trying to cheat me and he's a dirty slaver!"
"Watch your tongue!" Shouts the noble. But, he is visibly shook by Wildon's magic. "Enough of this nonsense, I am wasting my time. Hmmph" He scurries off hurriedly back into foot traffic, towards the wealthy end of town, where nobles dwell.
Theradas watches as Jalanther passes by, he is sweating, nervous, perhaps ill? Something about the noble's behaviour seems off. He is being rash, acting that way in public during the day.
Wildon, you are well known to locals here, this Wood Elf merchant asks if he can repay you somehow?
"Not all those who wander are lost."
'' No payment needed my good Elf, the streets must be kept peaceful. But perhaps a moment of your time. What's your name? and what was that Ornstaaf fellow doing in this part of town?''
The elf seems a bit nervous speaking about the matter..
"I am Sido. Well, everybody knows about the Ornstaaf mine, and how they "hire" lots of elves to work there."
(Both of you are aware of the rumors: Most people know the Ornstaaf's are a longtime organized crime affiliated family. They basically bully elves into working for them.)
"I heard something else recently though, something awful. I know a guy who left the mine recently, he's laying low. He told me he saw some strange goings on down there. Workers missing. Rat and vermin infestations. Cold air. The smell of death in the ground he said."
(The miners harvest a mineral-like root that is used for alcohol and other goods. Rumroot. The mine is just an hour ride by wagon, South of Fibrit.)
"Not all those who wander are lost."
''Well Sido that's interesting.. who is this former miner? I'd like to know more, maybe we could help with the situation? As a Rock Gnome I am no stranger to the underground. As you can see I'm an accomplished Wizard and my firend Theredas is an astute Ranger, I'm confident we can handle any nasties we may encounter. ''
I make a Persuasion roll for 5
"To be honest sir, I shouldn't be talking about him.. He is worried he will get in trouble for leaving the mine and talking about the strange things.. But, I may have an item here for you that could help. Only 10 gold, Sir. If you're interested?"
Sido produces a bottle of what looks like bootlegger spirits of some kind. Attached is a small rolled up note..
"Not all those who wander are lost."
Theradas: You see at the other end of the alley is your companion Breezeyre, the Dragoborn. He is waving in your direction and holding a couple flagons of ale.
"Oi! You lot come on! We got work to do!"
He ducks back into the side-door of the bustling, smokey, loud pub.
"Not all those who wander are lost."
Feeling anxious to get on with the business at hand, Theradas produces 10 gold pieces and gives it to the wood elf for the "wine". He then bows and graciously thanks the elf and heads towards the pub while attempting to pull Wildon by the scruff of his neck.
Wildon, offering no resistance is hoisted away by Theredas .. exclaiming '' farewell Sido! And thank you for the 'drink' we hope to see you soon!"
As they head towards the tavern..
"This is an interesting development Theredas. We should inform Breezeyre of what we have learned after we conduct our prior business. I'm not the biggest fan of ale, I wonder if they sell sweetwine in this establishment?"
3 Days Later.......
Wildon and Theradas wake up to Breezeyre shoving them around.
"Where the 100 hells have you two been?!?!"
You are both very confused...
The last thing you remember is Breezeyre waving you into the tavern.
But you are in some ditch, now.
Covered in mud.
And that bottle Theradas bought from Sido is empty.
What a headache!
Breezeyre continues shouting angrily: "I thought you were coming to join me in the tavern 2 days ago? I saw you in the alley and then lost track of ye! Looks to me like you two have been partying away while I hunt down clues on our bounty. On top of that, I had to slog 5 miles down the country road to even find a trace of you! We're in the middle of nowhere!"
Breezeyre steps away to smoke his pipe and brood.
You two are in the ditch, hungover, hungry, and ill.
The bottle is empty, of liquid....
In the very bottom there is a note rolled up with string...
It is a bit damp but looks waterproofed...
You are in the country, surrounded by farms and hills.
"Not all those who wander are lost."
I cast my Prestidigitation cantrip to clean myself up. Attempting to remove the note from the bottle I ask Breezyre
'' How did you find us?''
Theradas asks Breezyre "Do you have some water my old friend? That magic liquid seemed to really do a number on the two of us ahaha"
He then asks Wildon sheepishly if he might try to gently smash the bottle to try and get to the note