(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 Tiefling enters. He appears to be a Ranger of some sort, a Longbow across his back. The Tiefling 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! :)

"fellow adventurers. I am clan Kerrhylon's Chotec. I may look like a human but i'm a dragonborn of the blue type. I'm a trained fighter well versed in greatswords sent by my father to gain more experience in battle. Well as a sign of good will the first round of ale is on me." Says the white-haired and red-eyed man while gesturing for jack to bring in the drinks. You could hardly believe the man's words of being a dragonborn if not for the blue scales that peek from his chain mail. He is only 5 1/2 feet tall and not possessing any of the the dragon-like features of the normal dragonborn.

The female half-elf at the table pulled off the hood of her cloak to reveal a head of pure white hair, which was currently braided off to the side. Her skin was tanned, a common tone in these parts, and she had dark freckles littered across her cheek and over her nose. Her eyes were a warm brown, kind but mysterious, and she held a quarter staff which was partially wrapped in dark red cloth. She looked almost ethereal, until she gave a crooked smirk and spoke. “My name’s Ilyandra,” she greeted, her smile charming, but not in the way one would expect of elven folk. “Nice to meet everyone.”

Nice meet you too miss Ilyandra but isn't your introduction a bit too mysterious. If we wish to fight glorious battles side by side we must know of each others talents beforehand. Of course i won't force your hand miss but trust must go both ways for it to work.

Ilyandra smirked, fingers tapping on her staff. She did not seem bothered by the dragonborn’s questions. In fact, she looked almost delighted. “I’m a warlock, originally from the North but I’ve been traveling on my own for about seven years now.” She leaned back in her chair. “I like to think I’m talented in many things. But I would prefer to show you then talk about it. I’m sure that the opportunity will present itself eventually.”

Chotec smiled politely. "i'll look forward to it. Maybe when the opprtunity arrives we could also test our strenghts against each other as well in a light spar. I have to say i have fought against few warlocks and every fight was as interesting as the next one. But now how about you what's your name?" He finishes as he looks at the next person sitting at the table.

The nervous looking Tiefling gives a small wave and says quietly “hi. .my name is shy. .nice to meet you.” Shy is 5” 3’, pale, has short black hair, and green eyes. . .shy doesn’t seem to want to talk anymore. . .

"Sometimes the name describes the person far too well huh. Well looking at your gear your battle style can be deduced. Let us have an epic adventure together." The dragonborn chuckles slightly. Not being sure how to get the quiet ranger to talk freely. "Then finally it's your turn rogue" The red-eyed man says as he looks at the final figure on the table staying silent like the most of the rogues. "What do we call you sir?"

OOC: So sorry guys, drop outs aren't usually this bad at the beginning, but I think we lost Spry Hand. I'm going to work on getting another player for the group. Please hang tight, so sorry about the delay.

Should we just continue the campaign and meet the new people along the way? Like seeing a guy on the side of the road and being like hey you're coming with us now.

Suddenly the rogue comes to his senses, as if from a deep reverie. "My apologies team! I was miles away, this ale is rather strong!"

A dark haired, ruddy human, his movements are nimble and lithe; behind his amiable countenance, his eyes are quick and piercing.

"My name is Spry Hand. I have wandered from place to place these last few years, plying my, um, trade. Yes, we'll call it that. Let's just say, I have various talents, ways and means of getting what I need. The talents I learned growing up in the circus have allowed me to delight and entertain my fellow man, elf, dwarf, you name it. I'll take what pleases me, and leave them none the wiser."

At that moment, Spry palms a small Holy Symbol from the air and hands it to Ilyandra.

"I believe this is belongs to you Ma'am." He says with a wink.

Chotec's shoulders relax and he sits his back on the chair. "Finally. the self introductions are over apologies for the wait Mr. Wilfred. Did our mutual friend leave you any jobs that we could take now and get used to each other's fighting styles? Or do you yourself have any possible jobs for us Mr? I know that as an owner of this kind of establishment you hear lots of  interesting things." Chotec changed the topic fast as after having to stare awkwardly at the last person for what seemed like days he felt a bit insulted, and he had never liked to be insulted.

Ilyandra snatches the symbol from the air. It looks holy, yes, and to some it is, but she doesn't want anyone getting too good of a look at it. She doesn't look angry, however, she looks almost impressed. "What a dirty little thief you are," she says to Spry, though her tone holds fondness. She sits back in her chair but is sure not to let her guard down anymore. She looks excited but doesn't speak, waiting to hear more.

(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 Spry Hand) who looks cunning and shady, in the best way, of course. Very dangerous. This spellcaster here (he points at Ilyandra) who looks like she could rain down some powerful magic. This Ranger will make sure you are never lost in the forest (he nods at Shy) And this Dragonborn Warrior (he motions to Chotec) who looks like a very strong fighter."

(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 choose and equip your main weapon. Please go back and edit your character. I equipped your Chainmail for you.

Chotec walks over to the crying man with a half drunk cup and kneels beside him."Calm down Mr. If no one knows what has happened no one can help you. Take a drink of this to calm you down and tell me what happened." Chotec speaks evenly trying to get the sobbing man to become talkative. After all the man's situation smells like adventure.

Shy seems to not be as drunk as the others seeming as he hadn’t really been drinking much, trying to stay alert. .but when the man bursts in he jumps a little. After the small scare shy gets up and goes to help them up. He says quietly while trying to stay calm himself, “calm down sir. If you can tell us what’s wrong we can help. .”

Spry Hand folds his arms and leans back on his chair. "Well this is interesting." He murmurs. 

While leaning back, he gently lifts his feet off the ground, so that he is balanced perfectly on the back legs of his chair. Although most of the tavern is distracted by the drama unfolding around the red headed man, one villager turns his head and gawps at him open mouthed.

Ilyandra’s drunk has been finished for a while now, but she doesn’t even have a buzz. She watches the man with curious eyes. Who did they have? His wife? His daughter? And who were they? She glances at her companions, wanting to see their reactions, and stifles an eye roll at Spry’s antics

He'd been idly surveying the man's wounds when Spry Hand losses his balance and falls over backwards.

"Hang on a minute. Those wounds look somewhat familiar... I could investigate, but Ilyandra, maybe you would have more experience in this field?"

"It may be the ale... (hic)... or the novelty of my new companions, but I'm having difficulty working out who would be better at investigating these wounds. I'd be much obliged if someone could explain this, as though to a child. (hic)"

Ilyandra examines the man from a distance and shakes her head. "I have no healing abilities, at least, no more than the normal folk," she commented. She was more of a fighter and less of a healer, but perhaps she could learn. "The wounds do not seem to be magical in nature..." (Can I do an invesitgation check or something? Anything interesting about then man? Anything I recognize?)