It has been several days since Mentor educated you all on the dangers of Zargon and what lies ahead; giving you time to prepare yourselves for your first adventure.  He has gathered you once more in his study; for now it is time for your first challenge.  Your years of training shall now finally be put to test.

The light of the fireplace spreads across the bookshelf filled room, illuminating the tables and chairs of the darkened room.  Mentor lays mostly in shadow, the long back of his chair turned away from the fire, as he faces you all.  "You have learned well, my friends." Mentor says.  "Now has come the time of your first Trial."

"You must first enter the catacombs which contain Fellmarg's Tomb.  You must seek out and destroy Verag, a foul Gargoyle who hides in the catacombs.  This Quest is not easy and you must work together in order to survive.  This is your first step on the road to becoming true Heroes.  Tread carefully my friends."

Mentor breaths deeply, adjusting his spectacles and running his wrinkled had down along his long gray beard.  "The catacombs lay within the Borderlands at the edge of the Empire.  The Forces of Chaos have yet to reach that far into the Empire's borders before, so Verag's presence concerns me.  We need to rid the land of him before he is able to secure a stronghold."

"I have used my powers to scry the region and the Tomb.  No traps or secret passages lay within its walls, though many dangers reside there; including Forces of Chaos and the ancient mummy guardian of Fellmarg's resting place.  Remember that Verag is merely stone animated by Chaos Magic.  Destroy the body and he will be no more."

Upon finishing his warnings, Mentor turns to each of you. "Do you possess any questions or need further details?"

How far away is the stronghold he is trying to capture?

Fallon shifted from one foot to the other idly, eyes flicking around the shadowed room. They didn't like not being able to see everything "I do have a bit of a concern, Mentor. Not all of us are equipped with magic or divine might, and it sounds like we'll be facing creatures that are more than a little resilient to normal blades. You don't have anything that could give us a bit of an...edge?"

Mentor turns first to Luna; "It is roughly a week's journey.  I have prepared a carriage and supplies for the trip, and enough for your return." 

He then turns towards Fallon; "Sadly my armories have been worn down over the centuries by heroes of the past; not all of which were able to return.  You will have to use what you already possess; though additional items of value may be found within the tomb itself."

Addi looks at Fallon and says, “I’m sure it’ll be fine. If they are impervious to non-magical weapons you can just distract them while I kill them with my spells.”

Mentor adds in; "I have not found any of the forces of chaos that are impervious to non-magical weapons; though please do inform me if that changes."

Fallon gave Addi a look, their eyebrows drawn together slightly "Addi you should know me well enough by now to realize 'distraction' isn't in my job description." They shifted from one foot to another again, sighing softly "But with any luck we won't run into something we can't stab to death."

"I'm sure if anything needs distracting, I can manage the forefront." Julian's crossed his arms, already drumming up a beat on his armor. He's nervous for their first assignment.

Mentor's thin lips stretch wide into a smile.  "Yes, Julian can always start another fire." He chuckles lightly.

Branra simply states "I've found that a sharp blade and strong arm can slay most beasts. I'm happy to supply both against this gargoyle."

 Mentor smiles wider as he stands; his long robes billowing to the ground.  "See, with that mentality and drive, you all will do fine."

He waves his hand towards the doorway behind you; magically opening the thick wooden door; the light of the hallway pouring in.  "Now come with me." He waves towards you all, as he begins to pass by.  "I've prepared a special meal for you all to fill your stomachs as you travel.  We can talk more while you eat."  He begins to proceed down the torch lit stone hallway; his darkened blue robes, aged and tinted by time and wear, ruffling up the dirt around his dark gray pointed cloth shoes.  He calls back towards you all; "I made the same meal for Rogar, and his fellow trainees, when they first left.  It helped toughen their resolve, and their stomachs, for the journey again.  And we all know how tough Rogar became." You can hear him chuckles a little as he begins to head down the stairs, as though weight was beginning to lift off of his shoulders.

Luna follows the Mentor silently

Addi follows the Mentor, saying, “Come on Fallon, at least we can leave with our bellies full,” as she flashes them a smile.

Fallon walked closely with Addi, giving the sorceress a gentle nudge and mischievous smile "One last meal before charging towards our death."

Branra follows beyond Fallon and Addi saying "It is good to celebrate with a feast on the eve of a battle."

You all feel the warmth of the afternoon sun on your flesh and upon the stone steps as you walk out into the courtyard.  The blue sky is nearly clear of clouds, with just a few drifting away from the tall mountains to the north.  Beautiful at this distance; it's hard not to image how many countless members of the forces of chaos are crawling in and over them.

Mentor loudly yawns, arching his back in a deep stretch.  His dark ebony skin glimmers slightly as the day's light reflects briefly off of his receded hairline.  Standing tall once more, he turns to you all; his hazel gray eyes alight with excitement...and a spark of something else.  

He waves his arm towards you once more, motioning you to follow.  "I had the pots boiling all morning, it should definitely be done by now.  The ovens have also been going and..." He pauses for a moment, sniffing the air.  Suddenly he begins picking up speed and hurrying towards the kitchen.  "OH NO!  NOT AGAIN!!!"  Mentor yells out as he begins to rush through the dinning area and through the kitchen door.  As the door opens, you can smell and see a billow of smoke, before the door swings close behind him.  This is not the first time you've seen Mentor attempt to 'Save' a meal.

Luna giggles "hope its better than the food he gave us when we first got here, but I doubt that it will."

Julian leers at the smoke coming out of his precious kitchen. "I don't think this meal's going to be as good as it was made out to be. At least the drinks won't burn, right? ...Right?"

Stranger things did happen with Mentor around.

Addi sighs and says, “Maybe he should hire a cook. And on our last meal? That’s just sad.”

Smelling the smoke coming from the kitchen, Branra elbows Julian saying , with a smirk, "I didn't know the Master had let you back in the kitchen."