Im over 20k words on an adventure turned story, and working my way through the end of the rough draft. I thought I'd post the opening chapter here, and see if anyone had any feedback. The story is set in a homebrew campaign setting, the adventure in the capitol city of Galagos - a strongly held empire dominating most of the northern continent. Most here are forced into military service, and all things eldritch or monstrous are hunted.
A cacophony of voices and smells filled the tavern’s crowded common room. Another early Freeday brought a wide assortment of would-be heroes to the tavern in search of adventure, or at the very least, employment. The goal was simple. Exchange ideas. Trade goods. And hope that there was a lead on some forgotten ruin to plunder. This close to the capital city of Galagos though most believed there weren’t any dungeons to plunder. Any you could find required a charter, membership in the adventurer’s guild, and a heavy tax from the emperor on any treasure one found. Instead, would-be heroes were more likely to form a group for finding a missing person, investigating robberies, providing protection against the gangs, or signing up for a long overland guard job for one of the merchant caravans leaving out of the capital for remote locales. Still, for those who didn’t have a wealthy family, or a strong trade that could generate enough revenue, adventuring was the best chance for raising the funds necessary to avoid compulsory military service.
As the old saying goes - In Galagos, everyone serves.
At a side table to the right of the door a woman – whose family clearly originated from the northern lands given her high cheek bones and pale blonde hair - sat quietly fidgeting with a deck of cards. She, like the swarthy man dressed in leather armor across from her, were clearly competent warriors. Anyone in the tavern could see it. She was one of only a few people wearing chainmail, but it was the lack of shield and sword that really made her stand out. Instead, an axe hung on either side of her hips. She continued to play absentmindedly with the cards as she talked with her companion.
“Look Ciril, all I am saying is if I have to escort another caravan to Durmaster and back I am going to seriously rethink why I gave up bounty hunting.” The woman offered as she took a break from the cards to cast a careful glance around the room.
“Why did you give up bounty hunting Myrhandra?” Ciril replied. “It isn’t like you are getting any closer at buying out your contract.”
An awkward silence lingered over the table as Myrhandra continued to survey the room.
“At least as a bounty hunter for the empire you had the authority of the law behind you.” He continued.
“And you can’t say you didn’t benefit. Your armor alone makes you the envy of half the people in this room.”
Myrhandra turned her attention back to the man.
“Uh, the same reason you gave up being on the watch Ciril.” She replied. “You don’t get rich working for someone else.”
“No but we can be comfortable. We’ve both made more coin than most.”
“If I ever have a family Ciril.” She retorted as she stretched in her chair. “I don’t want my kids called into service because I couldn’t afford the tax.”
“Many consider it an honor to serve the empire.” Ciril argued, though her face made it obvious Myrhandra wasn’t interested in hearing that.
“Many people are idiots.” she muttered under her breath.
Ciril smirked and let it rest for a moment before replying. “I am starting to remember why you butt heads with the people in your guild so often.”
A bald man with a goatee and dressed in an elaborate display of leather straps and buckles approached the table with a hefty book in his hand.
“I see you are back from Durmaster.” He commented as he pulled a chair from under the table and sat down.
Before Myrhandra had a chance to reply the dark-eyed Ciril shifted in his seat to face the newcomer.
“Did I hear you were barred from the university Aereck? Will you be called up for service now?”
A look of irritation came over the man’s face. “I have. And you may have, but I managed to procure another deferment. “
“What? How?” exclaimed another latecomer approaching the table with a small metal tin in her hand.
The two warriors turned to look at the second newcomer before smiles broke out on their faces.
“Jen!” Myrhandra exclaimed as she stood to greet the woman.
Across the table Aereck’s face clouded for a moment as he regarded the exchange for a moment before turning away to locate the edge of his seat.
As the four of them settled back into their seats Ciril turned back to Aereck once again.
“So, how?”
Aereck paused for a moment. “How what?”
Myrhandra piped up “What Ciril is asking, and we’re ALL thinking is HOW in the EMPIRE did you manage to get another deferment?”
“Well actually…” Ciril started.
“What can I say, I know a lot of people.” Aereck began sheepishly.
“And more importantly, a lot of things” he continued.
The group sat staring at him incredulously.
“And…” prodded Ciril flatly, seeming to have given up on whatever line of questioning he HAD been considering.
“And I was able to find someone willing to pay for that knowledge. Enough to earn another year of deferment anyway.”
“Plus they like me.” He finished.
It was hard to deny that Aereck had a certain quality about him. For a bookworm who had only a year ago decided in earnest to begin practicing magic, there was nothing particularly likeable about him. He would never have been allowed a chance to practice if he had not already been a man of deep learning with more than a passing understanding in matters of the arcane and history. Just the same, that last declaration had the other three laughing and sharing knowing looks.
“Yea they like you.” Myrhandra retorted. “That’s why you’re banned from the university.”
“About that.” Ciril added, turning his eyes at the man again, this time with more intensity.
“Hmm.”
“Why ARE you banned from the university?” the warrior asked.
“A minor misunderstanding…” Aereck replied, waving his hand dismissively.
“That’s not what I heard.” Jenethra said quietly from her seat next to him.
“What did you hear?” Ciril asked turning to look at her. His eyes settled on a small decorative tin she was carrying.
“That he insisted one of the relics of war recently returned from the battlefield was an eldritch relic.”
“You’ll see. I’ll be proven right.” The man offered, his face twisted in distracted consternation.
“That doesn’t sound like a reason to be barred.” Ciril commented.
“It does when you assault the Magister.” Jenethra offered.
All of them turned to look at the woman.
“How is it you know so much?” Myrhandra asked. “A city this big surely has more pressing things to gossip about.”
“It’s big news in the temple. I don’t really understand why.”
Aereck pressed on the corner of his book and watched the table rock back and forth subtly. “Since when did our table become uneven? “
“I was beginning to think I was imagining it.” Myrhandra replied.
Ciril bent low under the table for a moment, then raised back up. “The floor has settled.”
Before the topic could be explored any further Jenethra pushed the small tin she had been carrying to the center of the table. “I made these, you really HAVE to give them a try!”
Myrhandra raised an eyebrow and looked dubiously at her friend as she lifted the cover and peered inside. There, drizzled in a dark syrup and frosted with what looked like tiny snowflakes sat the most delicious looking dessert Myrhandra thought she’d ever seen. Then she noticed there were only two of them, and quickly snatched one up. “What are they Jen?”
Ciril and Aereck looked at each other at the same time, but Ciril reached in and grabbed a treat before Aereck could even put his book down. The wizard looked over at Jenethra with a wounded look.
“How come you didn’t make enough for everyone?” he asked.
“Do you have any idea how long it takes?” she replied.
“One would not think much longer than it would take to make two.” Aereck offered before putting his head down to read from the book he had brought.
“Well, that might be true, but MOST of the desserts went to the priests at the temple.” She explained. “These are just what I was able to hold back.”
Across from her Myrhandra had already stuffed it into her mouth. She looked sheepishly back at the group as she slowly chewed the evidence of her callous handling of the treat.
“This is so RICH.” She managed to mumble as she continued to chew. “And sweet…” it was almost like she was rubbing it in as she chewed and chewed.
“Jen, this is AMAZING.”
Ciril pawed at the delicacy for a moment as if he was locked in some enormous internal battle. After a few more moments of deliberation, he pulled the dessert apart and handed half over to Aereck, who looked up at him in surprise. He gave a big smile and reached out, grabbing at the snack before pushing it into his mouth. The glimmer in his eyes all but echoed the sentiments Myrhandra had voiced moments before.
The group soon devolved into a banter of catching up with what each had been doing.
As an aside - in this campaign world goods are quite a bit less expensive. Silver is the predominant currency for big purchases. There are 100 silver to each gold. Like our world, think of a silver piece as $20, and a gold piece as $2000
Stranger in the Doorway
Ciril watched as a latecomer appeared in the doorway to the tavern and surveyed the room for a few moments. From his seat Ciril could see as she made her way around the other tables. Stopping to talk a few minutes, then moving on.
Individuals looking to join a group weren’t unheard of. That’s clearly what this woman is.
Still, she was well equipped. Chainmail, like the kind Myrhandra wore was hard to ignore, as was the large shield slung over her back. An equally imposing hammer swung on her hip. More than once though Ciril noticed it hit her on the leg as she made her way around the cramped tavern hall. Eventually she came to stand by their table, politely standing.
Likely listening to our conversation. Ciril thought.
He wasn’t wrong. When there was a lull in the conversation the woman was quick to interject.
“Greetings to you all” the woman offered. “My name is Helena.“
“Well met, Helena of…” Aereck offered as he stood, his piercing blue eyes staring directly at her in a way the woman clearly found a little unnerving.
“Originally? The Western Lands. But most recently of here in the capitol.”
“Are you looking to join an adventuring party?” Ciril asked.
“Actually, no. I wanted to make known that a merchant cara…”
Across the table Myrhandra made a sucking sound but Ciril held up a hand.
“Let her finish Myr”
“Thank you sir.”
Ciril puffed up a bit at the sir, but his friends were quick to make quiet mocking noises to help remind him of his place.
“As I was saying, I am hiring for a merchant caravan leaving the day after tomorrow for the Emerald Mar.”
“That’s… a long-term commitment, for sure.” Aereck said.
“Indeed. Which is why I am offering 5 silver a day…” the newcomer explained.
A dismissive Pssssshing noise escaped Myrhandra’s lips as she leaned back, clearly disinterested.
“AND one gold for the day on any day where there is combat.”
Myrhandra sat up in her seat at the mention of actual gold. “So, you’re not expecting trouble, but you ARE willing to pay for it.”
Helena nodded. “Correct.”
“Still, it’s a long time.” Ciril chimed in.
“What have the others said?” Jen asked as she quietly drew her now empty tin back from the center of the table.
“Some have expressed interest.” Helena responded. “But there are no seasoned groups among them.”
“What makes you think we’re seasoned?” Aereck asked.
“I think she’s calling you old Aereck.” Myrhandra jibbed.
Ignoring her Aereck redirected the conversation. “We would be a seasoned party. We even have our own cleric.” He said, waving his hand toward Jenethra.
“Getting ahead of yourself aren’t you Aereck,” Myrhandra retorted from across the table.
“I can’t be gone for a MONTH” Jenethra added. “Who would watch the children all that time, even if the temple would let me take leave?”
Ciril turned to face the woman, looking up at her as he considered his next words. “It would seem we would…”
Aereck was the first to react, snatching his book from the table as he deftly scooted back and stood with a speed that belied his academic career. Myrhandra and the cleric Jen wasted no time standing up and stepping back from the table either.
The group stood, looking around and back at the table. As Myrhandra reached in to reclaim her cards though the ground shuttered again. She barely managed to claim her prize before she was forced to push off her abandoned chair to get enough momentum to step back from the table. In a clattering cacophony of noise the table and chairs surrounding it disappeared into a hole that opened up beneath where they had been sitting just moments before. Immediately all eyes in the tavern were on them, and several leaped to their feet in anticipation of trouble, or at least an opportunity to help.
A silence settled over the tavern for a moment, until Aereck began coughing from the cloud of dust that had emerged from the hole. Then the people were crowding closer and talking amongst themselves as they angled for a better look.
Ciril moved to the edge of the hole and peered down but said nothing.
“How deep do you think it is?” Myrhandra asked as she stepped up and joined him in looking down into the darkness. Some of the light from the tavern drifted down into the dirt-obscured air of the hole below, but between the cloud of dust that still hadn’t settled and the darkness of the deep pit it was impossible to see the bottom.
“I can help with that” Jenethra said as she scooped a fallen copper coin from the floor and moved to the edge.
“Lu Mos Na de air Ah Mar Ill”
A bright light erupted from a small copper coin and she quietly dropped it into the hole.
“How deep do you think?” she asked as she watched it fall into the darkness.
“Mmm, Six maybe seven lengths deep.” Ciril offered.
Aereck spread his hands as wide as he could while he continued to hold his book, and then he too stepped up to look down into the hole.
“So, far enough you wouldn’t want to just hop down, eh?” Myrhandra added as she passed the rope she had retrieved from the back of her pack.
“No.”
Ciril made quick work of tossing it over a beam in the ceiling and tying it off. Judging from the top of the hole it looked indeed as if the rope barely came to rest on the floor below.
With a dagger in his mouth, and against Helena’s concerns about doing so Ciril started his descent into the pit as the crowd pressed dangerously close to the edge to watch. The bounty hunter made a slow go of it, and while there was some talk from the back of the room, the large hall was quiet enough that the sound of rope on wood and boots on stone were clearly audible. At the bottom Ciril exchanged his dagger for this rapier and began the process of investigating.
“The walls are made of set stone all the way down.” He announced. A few moments later he discovered the strange thin lines in the stone that could only mean one thing.
“There is a hidden door here.”
Exclamations and the buzz of excitement returned to the hall. Suddenly a voice loud and clear called out from somewhere behind the wall of people watching.
“I claim the right of expedition!” came a voice from the back of the room. A shiny silver coin held high was all anyone needed to see to know who had made the claim.
Helena looked at the rest of the group she had been speaking to moments ago. An unspoken acknowledgement quickly passed between them as they looked at each other. Then she called out herself as she pulled a gold coin from her purse and held it above her head. “I pledge a more solemn claim.”
Helena found herself looking for someone in a position of authority to acknowledge her claim. Murmurs filled the room. No other challengers seemed forthcoming. Not that Helena was surprised. Her heart was racing. She had just committed 100 times the pledge of the other man, instantly sealing any hopes anyone else had of seeing what lay behind the secret door below.
The barkeep pushed his way through the crowd, still holding a mug and his cleaning cloth, to stand at the edge of the hole. After looking down into the pit he held out his hand expectantly. Helena handed him the coin. He gave it a quick examination as he called for quiet. When he had it he boldly made his proclamation.
“As the owner of this establishment and an authorized agent of the adventurer’s guild I acknowledge her right of expedition.”
With that declaration many of the patrons of the tavern returned to their seats, though some remained to try and see what would become of the entire thing. The innkeep turned back to Helena and remarked. “That’s a steep price to look at what besides my table and chairs is at the bottom of a well, hidden door or not.”
“I have the strongest possible feeling about this.” Helena replied. “Besides, if I am wrong I have only lost twenty silver echelons for our trouble.”
“You speak of that as if it is a trifle.” The Innkeep remarked.
“I assure you it is not.” Helena continued. “But as I said, I have the strongest possible feeling.”
“For you, and the empire, I hope you are right.” The man said as he gave one last look down the deep pit now dominating the corner of his inn.
“Go with the Emperor’s blessing and return with his bounty.”
I didnt really seem to get much interest here but on the off chance you want to see how this story turns out you can find the rest developing over at Royal Road
Im over 20k words on an adventure turned story, and working my way through the end of the rough draft. I thought I'd post the opening chapter here, and see if anyone had any feedback. The story is set in a homebrew campaign setting, the adventure in the capitol city of Galagos - a strongly held empire dominating most of the northern continent. Most here are forced into military service, and all things eldritch or monstrous are hunted.
A cacophony of voices and smells filled the tavern’s crowded common room. Another early Freeday brought a wide assortment of would-be heroes to the tavern in search of adventure, or at the very least, employment. The goal was simple. Exchange ideas. Trade goods. And hope that there was a lead on some forgotten ruin to plunder. This close to the capital city of Galagos though most believed there weren’t any dungeons to plunder. Any you could find required a charter, membership in the adventurer’s guild, and a heavy tax from the emperor on any treasure one found. Instead, would-be heroes were more likely to form a group for finding a missing person, investigating robberies, providing protection against the gangs, or signing up for a long overland guard job for one of the merchant caravans leaving out of the capital for remote locales. Still, for those who didn’t have a wealthy family, or a strong trade that could generate enough revenue, adventuring was the best chance for raising the funds necessary to avoid compulsory military service.
As the old saying goes - In Galagos, everyone serves.
At a side table to the right of the door a woman – whose family clearly originated from the northern lands given her high cheek bones and pale blonde hair - sat quietly fidgeting with a deck of cards. She, like the swarthy man dressed in leather armor across from her, were clearly competent warriors. Anyone in the tavern could see it. She was one of only a few people wearing chainmail, but it was the lack of shield and sword that really made her stand out. Instead, an axe hung on either side of her hips. She continued to play absentmindedly with the cards as she talked with her companion.
“Look Ciril, all I am saying is if I have to escort another caravan to Durmaster and back I am going to seriously rethink why I gave up bounty hunting.” The woman offered as she took a break from the cards to cast a careful glance around the room.
“Why did you give up bounty hunting Myrhandra?” Ciril replied. “It isn’t like you are getting any closer at buying out your contract.”
An awkward silence lingered over the table as Myrhandra continued to survey the room.
“At least as a bounty hunter for the empire you had the authority of the law behind you.” He continued.
“And you can’t say you didn’t benefit. Your armor alone makes you the envy of half the people in this room.”
Myrhandra turned her attention back to the man.
“Uh, the same reason you gave up being on the watch Ciril.” She replied. “You don’t get rich working for someone else.”
“No but we can be comfortable. We’ve both made more coin than most.”
“If I ever have a family Ciril.” She retorted as she stretched in her chair. “I don’t want my kids called into service because I couldn’t afford the tax.”
“Many consider it an honor to serve the empire.” Ciril argued, though her face made it obvious Myrhandra wasn’t interested in hearing that.
“Many people are idiots.” she muttered under her breath.
Ciril smirked and let it rest for a moment before replying. “I am starting to remember why you butt heads with the people in your guild so often.”
A bald man with a goatee and dressed in an elaborate display of leather straps and buckles approached the table with a hefty book in his hand.
“I see you are back from Durmaster.” He commented as he pulled a chair from under the table and sat down.
Before Myrhandra had a chance to reply the dark-eyed Ciril shifted in his seat to face the newcomer.
“Did I hear you were barred from the university Aereck? Will you be called up for service now?”
A look of irritation came over the man’s face. “I have. And you may have, but I managed to procure another deferment. “
“What? How?” exclaimed another latecomer approaching the table with a small metal tin in her hand.
The two warriors turned to look at the second newcomer before smiles broke out on their faces.
“Jen!” Myrhandra exclaimed as she stood to greet the woman.
Across the table Aereck’s face clouded for a moment as he regarded the exchange for a moment before turning away to locate the edge of his seat.
As the four of them settled back into their seats Ciril turned back to Aereck once again.
“So, how?”
Aereck paused for a moment. “How what?”
Myrhandra piped up “What Ciril is asking, and we’re ALL thinking is HOW in the EMPIRE did you manage to get another deferment?”
“Well actually…” Ciril started.
“What can I say, I know a lot of people.” Aereck began sheepishly.
“And more importantly, a lot of things” he continued.
The group sat staring at him incredulously.
“And…” prodded Ciril flatly, seeming to have given up on whatever line of questioning he HAD been considering.
“And I was able to find someone willing to pay for that knowledge. Enough to earn another year of deferment anyway.”
“Plus they like me.” He finished.
It was hard to deny that Aereck had a certain quality about him. For a bookworm who had only a year ago decided in earnest to begin practicing magic, there was nothing particularly likeable about him. He would never have been allowed a chance to practice if he had not already been a man of deep learning with more than a passing understanding in matters of the arcane and history. Just the same, that last declaration had the other three laughing and sharing knowing looks.
“Yea they like you.” Myrhandra retorted. “That’s why you’re banned from the university.”
“About that.” Ciril added, turning his eyes at the man again, this time with more intensity.
“Hmm.”
“Why ARE you banned from the university?” the warrior asked.
“A minor misunderstanding…” Aereck replied, waving his hand dismissively.
“That’s not what I heard.” Jenethra said quietly from her seat next to him.
“What did you hear?” Ciril asked turning to look at her. His eyes settled on a small decorative tin she was carrying.
“That he insisted one of the relics of war recently returned from the battlefield was an eldritch relic.”
“You’ll see. I’ll be proven right.” The man offered, his face twisted in distracted consternation.
“That doesn’t sound like a reason to be barred.” Ciril commented.
“It does when you assault the Magister.” Jenethra offered.
All of them turned to look at the woman.
“How is it you know so much?” Myrhandra asked. “A city this big surely has more pressing things to gossip about.”
“It’s big news in the temple. I don’t really understand why.”
Aereck pressed on the corner of his book and watched the table rock back and forth subtly. “Since when did our table become uneven? “
“I was beginning to think I was imagining it.” Myrhandra replied.
Ciril bent low under the table for a moment, then raised back up. “The floor has settled.”
Before the topic could be explored any further Jenethra pushed the small tin she had been carrying to the center of the table. “I made these, you really HAVE to give them a try!”
Myrhandra raised an eyebrow and looked dubiously at her friend as she lifted the cover and peered inside. There, drizzled in a dark syrup and frosted with what looked like tiny snowflakes sat the most delicious looking dessert Myrhandra thought she’d ever seen. Then she noticed there were only two of them, and quickly snatched one up. “What are they Jen?”
Ciril and Aereck looked at each other at the same time, but Ciril reached in and grabbed a treat before Aereck could even put his book down. The wizard looked over at Jenethra with a wounded look.
“How come you didn’t make enough for everyone?” he asked.
“Do you have any idea how long it takes?” she replied.
“One would not think much longer than it would take to make two.” Aereck offered before putting his head down to read from the book he had brought.
“Well, that might be true, but MOST of the desserts went to the priests at the temple.” She explained. “These are just what I was able to hold back.”
Across from her Myrhandra had already stuffed it into her mouth. She looked sheepishly back at the group as she slowly chewed the evidence of her callous handling of the treat.
“This is so RICH.” She managed to mumble as she continued to chew. “And sweet…” it was almost like she was rubbing it in as she chewed and chewed.
“Jen, this is AMAZING.”
Ciril pawed at the delicacy for a moment as if he was locked in some enormous internal battle. After a few more moments of deliberation, he pulled the dessert apart and handed half over to Aereck, who looked up at him in surprise. He gave a big smile and reached out, grabbing at the snack before pushing it into his mouth. The glimmer in his eyes all but echoed the sentiments Myrhandra had voiced moments before.
The group soon devolved into a banter of catching up with what each had been doing.
As an aside - in this campaign world goods are quite a bit less expensive. Silver is the predominant currency for big purchases. There are 100 silver to each gold. Like our world, think of a silver piece as $20, and a gold piece as $2000
Stranger in the Doorway
Ciril watched as a latecomer appeared in the doorway to the tavern and surveyed the room for a few moments. From his seat Ciril could see as she made her way around the other tables. Stopping to talk a few minutes, then moving on.
Individuals looking to join a group weren’t unheard of. That’s clearly what this woman is.
Still, she was well equipped. Chainmail, like the kind Myrhandra wore was hard to ignore, as was the large shield slung over her back. An equally imposing hammer swung on her hip. More than once though Ciril noticed it hit her on the leg as she made her way around the cramped tavern hall. Eventually she came to stand by their table, politely standing.
Likely listening to our conversation. Ciril thought.
He wasn’t wrong. When there was a lull in the conversation the woman was quick to interject.
“Greetings to you all” the woman offered. “My name is Helena.“
“Well met, Helena of…” Aereck offered as he stood, his piercing blue eyes staring directly at her in a way the woman clearly found a little unnerving.
“Originally? The Western Lands. But most recently of here in the capitol.”
“Are you looking to join an adventuring party?” Ciril asked.
“Actually, no. I wanted to make known that a merchant cara…”
Across the table Myrhandra made a sucking sound but Ciril held up a hand.
“Let her finish Myr”
“Thank you sir.”
Ciril puffed up a bit at the sir, but his friends were quick to make quiet mocking noises to help remind him of his place.
“As I was saying, I am hiring for a merchant caravan leaving the day after tomorrow for the Emerald Mar.”
“That’s… a long-term commitment, for sure.” Aereck said.
“Indeed. Which is why I am offering 5 silver a day…” the newcomer explained.
A dismissive Pssssshing noise escaped Myrhandra’s lips as she leaned back, clearly disinterested.
“AND one gold for the day on any day where there is combat.”
Myrhandra sat up in her seat at the mention of actual gold. “So, you’re not expecting trouble, but you ARE willing to pay for it.”
Helena nodded. “Correct.”
“Still, it’s a long time.” Ciril chimed in.
“What have the others said?” Jen asked as she quietly drew her now empty tin back from the center of the table.
“Some have expressed interest.” Helena responded. “But there are no seasoned groups among them.”
“What makes you think we’re seasoned?” Aereck asked.
“I think she’s calling you old Aereck.” Myrhandra jibbed.
Ignoring her Aereck redirected the conversation. “We would be a seasoned party. We even have our own cleric.” He said, waving his hand toward Jenethra.
“Getting ahead of yourself aren’t you Aereck,” Myrhandra retorted from across the table.
“I can’t be gone for a MONTH” Jenethra added. “Who would watch the children all that time, even if the temple would let me take leave?”
Ciril turned to face the woman, looking up at her as he considered his next words. “It would seem we would…”
Suddenly the ground beneath them began to shake.
Earthquake
Aereck was the first to react, snatching his book from the table as he deftly scooted back and stood with a speed that belied his academic career. Myrhandra and the cleric Jen wasted no time standing up and stepping back from the table either.
The group stood, looking around and back at the table. As Myrhandra reached in to reclaim her cards though the ground shuttered again. She barely managed to claim her prize before she was forced to push off her abandoned chair to get enough momentum to step back from the table. In a clattering cacophony of noise the table and chairs surrounding it disappeared into a hole that opened up beneath where they had been sitting just moments before. Immediately all eyes in the tavern were on them, and several leaped to their feet in anticipation of trouble, or at least an opportunity to help.
A silence settled over the tavern for a moment, until Aereck began coughing from the cloud of dust that had emerged from the hole. Then the people were crowding closer and talking amongst themselves as they angled for a better look.
Ciril moved to the edge of the hole and peered down but said nothing.
“How deep do you think it is?” Myrhandra asked as she stepped up and joined him in looking down into the darkness. Some of the light from the tavern drifted down into the dirt-obscured air of the hole below, but between the cloud of dust that still hadn’t settled and the darkness of the deep pit it was impossible to see the bottom.
“I can help with that” Jenethra said as she scooped a fallen copper coin from the floor and moved to the edge.
“Lu Mos Na de air Ah Mar Ill”
A bright light erupted from a small copper coin and she quietly dropped it into the hole.
“How deep do you think?” she asked as she watched it fall into the darkness.
“Mmm, Six maybe seven lengths deep.” Ciril offered.
Aereck spread his hands as wide as he could while he continued to hold his book, and then he too stepped up to look down into the hole.
“So, far enough you wouldn’t want to just hop down, eh?” Myrhandra added as she passed the rope she had retrieved from the back of her pack.
“No.”
Ciril made quick work of tossing it over a beam in the ceiling and tying it off. Judging from the top of the hole it looked indeed as if the rope barely came to rest on the floor below.
With a dagger in his mouth, and against Helena’s concerns about doing so Ciril started his descent into the pit as the crowd pressed dangerously close to the edge to watch. The bounty hunter made a slow go of it, and while there was some talk from the back of the room, the large hall was quiet enough that the sound of rope on wood and boots on stone were clearly audible. At the bottom Ciril exchanged his dagger for this rapier and began the process of investigating.
“The walls are made of set stone all the way down.” He announced. A few moments later he discovered the strange thin lines in the stone that could only mean one thing.
“There is a hidden door here.”
Exclamations and the buzz of excitement returned to the hall. Suddenly a voice loud and clear called out from somewhere behind the wall of people watching.
“I claim the right of expedition!” came a voice from the back of the room. A shiny silver coin held high was all anyone needed to see to know who had made the claim.
Helena looked at the rest of the group she had been speaking to moments ago. An unspoken acknowledgement quickly passed between them as they looked at each other. Then she called out herself as she pulled a gold coin from her purse and held it above her head. “I pledge a more solemn claim.”
Helena found herself looking for someone in a position of authority to acknowledge her claim. Murmurs filled the room. No other challengers seemed forthcoming. Not that Helena was surprised. Her heart was racing. She had just committed 100 times the pledge of the other man, instantly sealing any hopes anyone else had of seeing what lay behind the secret door below.
The barkeep pushed his way through the crowd, still holding a mug and his cleaning cloth, to stand at the edge of the hole. After looking down into the pit he held out his hand expectantly. Helena handed him the coin. He gave it a quick examination as he called for quiet. When he had it he boldly made his proclamation.
“As the owner of this establishment and an authorized agent of the adventurer’s guild I acknowledge her right of expedition.”
With that declaration many of the patrons of the tavern returned to their seats, though some remained to try and see what would become of the entire thing. The innkeep turned back to Helena and remarked. “That’s a steep price to look at what besides my table and chairs is at the bottom of a well, hidden door or not.”
“I have the strongest possible feeling about this.” Helena replied. “Besides, if I am wrong I have only lost twenty silver echelons for our trouble.”
“You speak of that as if it is a trifle.” The Innkeep remarked.
“I assure you it is not.” Helena continued. “But as I said, I have the strongest possible feeling.”
“For you, and the empire, I hope you are right.” The man said as he gave one last look down the deep pit now dominating the corner of his inn.
“Go with the Emperor’s blessing and return with his bounty.”
I didnt really seem to get much interest here but on the off chance you want to see how this story turns out you can find the rest developing over at Royal Road
https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/68189/the-last-laugh