(The Young Bucks Tavern in the town of Calla is a place like many others. On this early evening, the Tavern is only about half full of your usual tradesmen, farmers and assorted other townspeople. Everyone is drinking and eating and generally having a good time. A young Half-Elf serving boy, Jack, floats around bringing everyone their food and ale.

The door opens and a young man enters. He appears to be a Cleric of some sort, wearing Scale Mail and a simple Mace across his back. The Cleric looks around, finds what he is looking for and walks over to the table where a motley crew of adventurers sit, staring at him intently as he silently pulls up a chair and takes a seat. The table has a sign on it that reads ‘1st time adventurers meet here’.)

"Ah, splendid! It looks like you all made it!"

(The tavern owner, a rotund and jolly-looking fellow of about 40, appears at the side of the table, smiling and holding what appears to be an envelope.)

"My name is Willfred, I am the owner of this fine establishment. Glad you all could make it. Your mutual friend has asked me to read this to you when you all arrived."

(He now opens it and takes out the enclosed letter. Unfolding it, he begins to read.)

Greetings, adventurers!

It is I, Craig, your friendly neighborhood shop keeper! You are all here because you all expressed interest in teaming up with other like-minded folks and going on adventures. I had all of your names on my LIST and I think all of you would be a good fit together. I hope I am correct. Take some time to get to know each other; I’m sure you’ll all become fast friends. Go forth and make your mark on the world!

Best of Luck!

Craig

(The assembled adventurers look around the table at each other. Willfred takes a little bow as he backs away.)

"Oh, this IS a good-looking group. You'll do well, very well indeed. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance to you."

(The crew looks each other over and sits for a few moments, until one of them rises up and begins to speak...)

DM's Notes: Ok, folks, go ahead and introduce your character to each other and give a brief description about your appearance, etc. No need to give your whole backstory, just introduce your character as they would introduce themselves. Looking forward to this! :)

"Good day adventurers, I am Aphelios. Born during a lunar convergence my fate is sealed. I am searching for my purpose and riches to fight the enemies of my faith. I stand 6 foot tall and I weigh around 130lbs. With black hair and human-colored skin I look just like your average human/elf. I am 148 years old, and I've barely entered adulthood."

Nip is a gnome, average gnome size, wearing a white shirt and a brown vest, with funny round glasses, dark brown hair slick back, and a handlebar moustache.

Speaks fast and with energy, as most gnomes do.

"Oh an Elf, yes yes... I've met many of your folk, very, very interesting people... I once met one true master of mechanics and aerodynamics, a sharp mind, he worked at a shipyard..." 

"Ah yes, yes, introduction, my apologies, please do not let me wander or I'll end up talking about anything but the task at hand. Erky, Erky Timbers is the name, although most call me "Nip". Yes, Nip is fast an easy to remember, I do think that it is quite a good name for a gnome like me, yes yes, very fitting!"

"Oh but please, I'm extending way too much, pleased to meet you Mr. Aphelios"

OOC: So sorry, guys. People dropping out isn't usually this bad in the beginning of the game. I think we lost Toobigrabbits. I'll be trying to get a couple of more players, please hang tight, thanks for your patience.

as the gaze of the other adventures fall upon you, you sigh softly and say:

My name is Manxim, I was a soldier and... nevermind, I hope we can get along just fine.

Manxim is 6 ft tall, male, pretty charismatic, golden eyes, greyish skin and long black hair.

(Trefor the Half-Elf Ranger also briefly introduces himself to the party. 

 Willfred comes back to the table with Jack in tow, who is carrying a round of ale for you all. Jack serves you all your drinks as Willfred looks on, a smile on his face.)

"On the house, of course."

(The Tavern owner looks you all over appreciatively.)

"Well, it looks like Master Craig has done it again."

(He sees you all looking at him, and senses he may have spoken out of turn.)

"I mean, of course, that lots of adventuring parties have found each other thru Craig's list. He's very good at making matches. Forgive me for being so bold, but I think he's done well bringing you 4 together. Very interesting, very interesting indeed. I mean, you have this fellow here (he motions to Nip) who looks cunning and shady, in the best way, of course. Very dangerous. This High Elf (he points to Aphelios) looks like a well-trained finesse Fighter. This Ranger will make sure you are never lost in the forest (he nods at Trefor) And this strong, holy warrior (he motions to Manxim) who can keep you all safe with his strong defenses and healing."

(Willfred clears his throat.)

"Well, enough about that. Please enjoy your ale, and let me know if I can help in any way."

(Willfred and Jack back off and let you all get to know each other. The ale loosens you up somewhat, and you slowly start to get used to each other. Mostly. About 45 minutes or so pass along this way, when...

Suddenly, a large, red-headed man in a black leather apron bursts thru the door, his muscular arms bleeding from some pretty gnarly gashes. A look of panic and terror is on his face, which is dirty and starting to swell up and bruise. He looks like someone beat the hell out of him. 

“Bess!” he yells. “They got my Bess!”

He drops down to his knees and starts sobbing as the crowd starts to gather round.

(What do you all do?)

 DMs note: Manxim, you forgot to equip your weapon, please go back and do so. Thanks.

As my system loosens from all the Ale and I get groggier, my connection to my sister seems to enhance aswell. Alune perceives what is going on and tells me "Aphelios, brother, help him".

"We must help him, what do you all think? This could be an adventure, possibly gold to be found"

- I say to the group

OOC: My sister talking to me is character backstory for you other players who don't know, she can only speak to me and not anyone else. Aswell as I am the only person being able to hear her, that meaning she doesn't speak out loud. Since none of the characters have asked me about my faith we could possibly RP that I seem really "delirious" or odd as if I am talking to myself and I get my ideas from seemingly nowhere.

“Hello! I am Trefor, not Trevor, all though I am sure someone will likely call me this. To be honest I think my mother sneezed when she told the mid-wife my true name and it was recorded wrongly. I am a half-elf and as such I’m a bit of a loner except I like meeting folks!” 

Trefor is a 6ft y’all half-elf with pale copper skin, and short dark brown hair. He has a dark brown beard that gives no indication of his true age of 40 years. He wears the common wood garb of a ranger complete with hooded green wool cloak. 

Trefor stands quickly in surprise, knocking over his ale. “Good glob, man! What happened to you? Did you take a toumble in the thorn brush?”

I jump from my seat and into the table.

"Yes! hurry! we should lend him a hand" I reply to Aphelios.

I then shout "what happened to you, good sir?" to the red-headed man -"Someone tend to his wounds"- as I run to the closest window, looking for clues or any hubbub that could explain the poor condition of the man.

As I stand up, I use "Divine Sense", while walking towards the red-headed man and then ask. Does anybody have bandages?.

Trefor produces a cleanish cloth and shoves it towards manxim. “Will this do?” 

I ask the red-headed man, “Who’s got your Bess, friend?” 

(Manxim casts Divine Sense as the rest of the group, and really, the rest of the Tavern patrons, crowd around the injured man. Manxim does not sense any type of evil or celestial forces. Nip runs to the window and looks outside, but sees nobody out there and nothing out of the ordinary. Trefor gives his new Paladin companion some cloth for bandages. All of the group ask the man questions almost at the same time, but he is too out of sorts to acknowledge them.)

"Rickard! What's happened?"

(Willfred rushes to the side of the fallen man, who is still very distraught. His injuries, though numerous, do not seem to be the main source of his despair. He tries to compose himself, trying to answer in between sobs.)

"Gob... goblins. They broke into my workshop. I-I-I tried to stop them... I think I even killed one of them. But there were too many. They stabbed at me and beat me with clubs and... when I woke up my daughter was... gone!"

(Rickard quietly sobs as the crowd murmurs their disbelief. WIllfred starts explaining things to the party, who is gathered around.)

"Rickard is the Blacksmith here. And Bess, sweet little Bess is his 8 year-old daughter. She means the world to him. All he has ever since his wife passed a few years ago."

(A look of sudden realization appears on Willfred's face, a smile on his lips.)

"Rickard, my friend, don't despair! Look here! These here fine folks (he points towards the party) are skilled adventurers!"

“You-you’re adventurers? Please, you’ve got to help me! If I lost my Bess, I… I… I can pay you! I don’t have much, but I would give all the gold I have in the world if you can get my daughter back to me safely. Will you help me? Please, I beg you!”

(Rickard throws himself, both figuratively and literally, at the feet of the party, begging for help. The party begins to talk amongst themselves.)

DMs note: I hope I can ask a favor from you guys. Can you please go into your signature and add your character like I have to the bottom of your posts? It's under Profile, Edit Profile, and there's a spot there for Signature. It would help me remember who's who faster. Thanks a lot.

As I tend to the wounds of Rickard I look at my new companions "we should do it, and we should hurry."

Trefor claps his fist to his chest and stands a little straighter.

“Sounds like an adventure, and that’s what I’m here for! You can count me in.”

Seeing no clues of what may have happened on the outside, I converge with the rest of the crew.

"Yes indeed, I agree, we should help him, and help him fast, we'll figure out... our fees... later..."

"Tell us... Rickard... do you have any idea why anyone would do this? any clues of where they could have taken your Bess? I think we should head up to the place and search for some clues..."

I approach the door as I look over my shoulder

"Let's get a move on, destiny calls."

I say to the group as I beckon towards them.

"Tell us where to blacksmith"

(Rickard, still disoriented, is distracted by the barrage of questions from the party. When it becomes clear that the party is willing to help, a smile appears for the first time.)

"Thank you! Bless you all!" 

(The grateful Blacksmith goes around thanking the adventurers, alternately hugging and enthusiastically shaking the hands of the brave party who has agreed to help him. He thinks for a moment before speaking.)

"I don't really know how long ago it was, probably not long, but I don't know how long I was unconscious. As far as where they could have taken her... I haven't got a clue. I mean, I didn't even know there were goblins in these parts. I'm pretty sure there's a dead goblin in my workshop, going there is probably a good idea."

(He looks at you all expectantly. Willfred chimes in.)

"Nothing like this has happened around here for a long time. Last I can remember was maybe, 20, 25 years ago? Even then, I think it was more of Goblins attacking travelers up the road, not kidnapping little girls. There hasn't been any Goblin sightings around here since, that I can recall."

DM's note: If you'd like to do anything before heading to Rickard's shop go ahead and RP, otherwise I'll just assume you all follow him there.

Trefor pats around his person checking his weapons and tugs down his leather breast plate. He then takes a quick look around, using his keen ranger senses built up from years roaming the wild, to see if there is suspicious eyes watching them leave. 

OCC: I’m not sure if I have to use anything specific to do this or what. 

(OOC: ok for me to follow him)

”yes, let’s go to the shop and see what we can find. However, shouldn’t this poor man go see an accredited physician? Can anyone else lead us to the spot?”