(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 Male Dwarf enters. He appears to be a Fighter of some sort, wearing heavy armor, a Great Axe and Shield across his back. The Dwarf 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! :)

Well one of us has to start,  I am Dartor, son of Bruenor,  as you can tell i am about mid age for a dwarf however shown by the scars on my face I have seen battle.  But please don't be intimidated,  as you'll soon find out I'm a friendly dwarf, so long as you don't find yourself on the sharp side of my axe * Dartor laughs loudy *.  But jokes aside, I treat my party like my clan and so I will defend and fight along side you all with great valour.  

I am Nordan of the woodland realm,I am at your service. I maybe of high birth but trust me im just like you with a few extra skills I will be happy to fight along side you nobble warriors .

Blade is a young halfling, about 22 years old. Dressed in dark clothing and a hood, crossbow on his back and daggers on his side. A scar over one eye, and countless others on his body. Sitting at the table, he says

"I am Blade. Yes that's my full name, don't ask for more. Yes I am a halfling but I promise thinking I am weak will be your first and last mistake. I can throw firebolts and fling acid. I handle a blade pretty well too, hence the name. I'm also pretty damn sneaky. I'm not here to make friends but if you prove yourself and carry your weight we will get on just fine. Just don't cross me ;-) "

A timid elf stepped forward. She was a of average side but you wouldn't know by looking at her.  She tucked a strain of blue hair behind her ear. Her deep brown eyes shifting back and forth looking everywhere but the group. "H-hello I'm Velexa n-nice to meet you. I'm an half-elf sorcerer. I'm happy to meet you all. I hope we have  an exciting adventure."

 The red-scaled dragonborn listens intently to the other adventurers' introductions, training her amber eyes on each of them in turn. She nods, satisfied with their answers, before introducing herself. "Akra Myastan. I may be young, but I know how to fight. It sounds like we will get on well."

(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. Though I do think he was feeling a little creative this time."

(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 5 together. Very interesting, very interesting indeed. I mean, you have not one, but TWO strong, armored fighters (he motions to Akra and Dartor) who look like they could cut anyone in half with their heavy weapons. Then you have TWO Sorcerers here (he points at Blade and Velexa) who look like they could rain down two different types of powerful magic on your enemies. And this Wood Elf (he motions at Nordan) looks cunning and shady, in the best way, of course. Very dangerous. 

(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?)

Nordans slips through the crowd like water barely being noticed. he Silently picked the man up and brought him to the table for the others to speak to him and then  drifts in to in his dark corner again with an ominous look towards the fellow .

Once Nordan brings back the crying man to the table, Blade, feigning indifference and twirling a dagger, calmly asks:

Who is this "Bess" and who or what exactly has taken her?

Velexa quitely and quickly go some prachment to write with. she knew that this would be very important and she didnt want to forget any details. She could see them man shaking in frustration. Whoever this Bess was, the were every close to him.

Dartor acknowledges that the man is still weeping while trying to explain making it difficult to hear him and so says in his rough dwarven accent, "look laddy,  weeping won't solve the problem, but maybe we can,  so try and explain more clearly so that we can get to figuring this out, and get Bess back".  Dartor hands over a rough, dirty rag to wipe his tears, although nasty, the gesture was of good intention.

Akra stands up next to the table, facing the growing crowd and holding her sword out to ward them off. "Give the man some space, people." She casts an annoyed look back towards the crying man, waiting for him to say something.

(The group help the man to a nearby table, hand him a rag and begin questioning the man as the rest of the tavern gathers round, murmuring noisily. The man is too distraught to answer properly, taking deep breaths and trying to compose himself.)

"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.

Velexa looked at the pleading man and gave him a small timid smile "O-of course we will help." she looked at the others "R-right guess?"

Blade sticks his dagger in the table and rubs his hands at the mention of gold

Yes, Velexa, I suppose we can help. The promise of gold is a nice... motivation"

From his dark corner, Nordan says "gold corrupts the mind, I have laid witness to it before".

As he turns to the group he pulls out a churchwarden pipe from under his tunic, the embers slightly illuminates his face as he questions the group, "possibly a contract of some sort instead".

"Gotta admit that gold is a nice motivation. Not that it's the only one, of course. We wouldn't simply abandon a man in distress," Akra adds, "even if there wasn't an extra reward. We'll do what we can to help."

Dartor grabs his axe and stands to talk, slamming the base of his weapon against the floor in an effort to get everyone's attention, " I do not need such compensation for fighting evil who have wronged this man, the rush of slaying some goblin scum will be fine enough, and I swear by my beard that we or at least I shall search for your daughter.  Although the Wood Elf may be right,  if we do see battle, our equipment may need repairing but that is to be decided after you are reunited"  Dartor looks at the others in the party for what to do next.

Velexa gave a smile and clamped her hands together " a-alright let's get this started shall we"

"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. Wilfred looks pensive.)

"Hmmm, now where do you think they could have taken her, Rickard?"

(The Blacksmith thinks for a moment.)

"I... 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, maybe we can figure out where they went if we go back there? It's on the north edge of town."

(He looks at you all expectantly.)

DMs note: Please let me know if you want to do anything before heading to Rickard's shop. Also, as you've probably noticed, the pace is fairly slow because of the nature of the PbP game, so thank you for being patient.