At the far end of the civilized lands of Elsir Vale lies the small town of Drellin's Ferry, built on the near side of the broad, sluggish river which gives the region its name. In ages past, a mighty stone bridge spanned over her muddy waters here, but these days all that remain are six old stone piers marking the spot where the bridge once stood.
No rampart, stockade or wall surround the town. The only defensive structures being a series of five wooden watchposts that provide a good view of the surrounding countryside, each manned by a single member of the Town Guard. On most days, these men and women spend most of their time batting away any number of very persistent insects that seem to be common in these parts.
Within the town proper, a collection of wood and stone buildings spill outward from the main road, the vast majority concentrated along the length of the Dawn Way. All the amenities and services one would expect in a small town may be found here: a couple of inns and taverns to service travelers and locals alike, stables to look after their horses, a smithy to mend weapons and armor, a handful of establishments dealing in various sundries one might need, and of course, a temple to tie the community together. In this case, the main temple is dedicated in the name of Pelor. In all ways, this town is similar to many of the smaller communities that have sprung up along the Dawn Way.
For most, Drellin's Ferry is the sort of place people pass through, a stop-over point before moving on to distant lands. But many who end up here have come because it represents the last point of light before embarking out into the Wilds of the West and beyond.
Here one can pick up tidings from distant lands. Traveling bards spin tales of menacing threats lurking just outside the protected confines of the Vale and even taller tales of mountains of treasure hidden beneath decrepit dungeons of ill repute, gold and glory to be had for those brave enough (or foolhardy depending on one's point of view) to go out and lay claim to it.
Some arrive here running away from something and just need a place to disappear to for a while. Drellin's Ferry represents a fresh start. The promise of new beginnings on the frontier of the civilized realms.
So we come to six newly arrived adventurers, each having come to Drellin's Ferry for their own reasons. Whatever the case, arrive they have, eager to embark on their own journey to something more, greater,
different than the lives they once knew.
A seemingly unlikely group they make: a brawny man-of-arms who lives each moment as it may be the last, an outspoken dwarf with a case of wanderlust and his own dreams of heroic deeds, a cautious matron of Avandra who has ventured forth into the world to do her godesses' bidding, a mysterious woman whose mannerisms perhaps suggest a life of luxury betraying her otherwise humble attire, a young acolyte of Pelor who has left the farm for the first time eager to bring Pelor's light to the darkness, and a scruffy looking young woman who might just have more street-smarts than her timid demeanor suggests.
As luck would have it, opportunity to show their respective quality comes in the form of tidings brought to the taphouse by a young lad seeking brave adventurers to do his master's bidding.
The young lad, Liamm, relates his tale. Several days ago he was collecting rare herbs and mushrooms for his master, Ologeon the Alchemist, when he stumbled upon a small group of what he describes as ill-tempered "dog-faced" gnomes carrying point sticks. He panicked when he saw these creatures as he had never seen anything like them before, cutting short his attempts to gather the three things most desired by his master: Moonsong mushroom, Bloodrose moss and Crone's Ear morel.
Ologeon has become quite insistent on collecting these mushrooms, dog-faced gnomes or not, and has requested the services of adventurers willing to accompany Liamm to the location where they can be gathered: a massive dying tree about 5 miles within The Witchwood.
Ologeon has pledged a handsome sum of 300 gold pieces to any interested parties willing to take on this mission. Perhaps more enticing however is the thought of gaining the patronage and good graces of an Alchemist, a useful ally to have for would-be adventurers!
A simple mushroom hunt, huh? What could go wrong?
Adventure awaits...
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:01, Mon 12 Sept 2016.
