Gundren Rockseeker is putting together a band of adventurers for a simple escort job with the promise of some real adventure once you reach the destination. Each of you has received your own personal invitation from Gundren to meet here at The Lively Bodkin tavern, in a private back room where he's already covered the price of one meal and two drinks for each of you. There was a small note at the bottom of that section which notes that the tavern's touristy drink, The Horn of Heimdall, would not be covered.

You each arrive in your own time and are directed to the reserved room by a dwarven man named Fribbington wearing a servant's outfit. He has friendly green eyes, long dark hair, but not even the faintest hint of a beard. Fribbington opens the door and waits for you to step inside before following behind and asking about your order.

You see that Gundren has not yet arrived, but his letter did mention that was was placing some last minute orders for the shipment you would be escorting, so he might be a little bit late.

They have all manner of alcohol here, as well as a new gnomish drink called Windslosh which is not alcoholic and comes in either sweet or sour flavors. They tickle your nose a bit and some people love them while others hate them, so order at your own risk if you're intrigued.

Menu Items
Miner's Pie - Chicken pot pie.
Egg Roll - Delicious food from another land.
Ale Cheese Soup - Cheese and Ale together? IN A SOUP!?
Marriage Soup - Greens and meat married in a soup.
Honey Glazed Ham - A thick slice of ham covered in a honey glaze.
Tentacle Stew - It's delicious if you close your eyes.
Spicy Pork - Ham, but hot!
Horn of Heimdall - A drinking horn the size of a horse's leg. If you finish it, you get your name carved on the wall of heroes.

The price tag on the Horn of Heimdall is 8 gp, and it has to be drunk by one person, in front of the whole tavern, usually with 2-4 other challengers lined up at the same time.

(You're free to RP here until I've gotten everyone's character-specific invitation sent out, at which point I will introduce Gundren as well.)
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:34, Sun 09 May 2021.

Akyra stood outside the tavern, her eyes narrowed as she looked at the door. Snorting a little, she entered the door. Every eye turned on her with a look of surprise....normal reaction at the best of times for her, but some thing she was used to in this place. The fact she was a female Dragonborn was unusual...what few Dragonborn around were usually males, intimidating warriors or cunning arcanists, but a female was rare. Rarer still was her color. Even among Dragonborn kind, the black scales were rare, and what few Akyra knew were her family, a brood of evil Dragonborn from the south.

...but she wasn’t like them.

Her imposing figure matched most of her male kin, the dark sheen of her onyx scales gleamed against the contrast of her silver mail armour, the symbol on the left breast was a dark blue circle with a roaring silver-like dragon head. Around her neck, an amulet had the symbol of bahamut, the platinum dragon god. Her face had a discolouration, a scar from Lo g ago down her left eye ridge, past her eye and down her cheek. On her back, other than a pack ready for travel, was a great hammer of war, at her side a battle axe and dagger, and in a hand, a shield that had the shape of a Dragon wing.

The Dragonborn, ignoring the looks, strode to the bar, her green eyes locking onto Fribbington. “Gundren Rockseerer” Was all she said. The dwarf opened the door and she entered, placing her gear at the wall, and sits. The dwarf waits as she gets comfortable. “Spicy pork and an ale please” She said as she sat, her eyes looking around.

Her first time out of the clergy in her own, this would test her strength if will, faith and determination.

....was this her place?

"A calling, yes, that's what this is, a calling. Others might call it something else, a job, a mission, an escort..."

That last brought him up short, enough that he had to think about it. Then he guffawed loudly, startling the workman nearby from his chore. Whistling a jaunty tune he entered his destination. The Lively Bodkin looked...lively. Once there, he noted a dwarf without a beard.

"Sir, I think you're missing your whiskers." he said. "I'm looking for a Gundren. Do you know where to find him?"

Fribbington lead the way to the back room when Gundren's name was mentioned, answering questions and taking orders as they came.

Fribbington seemed less surprised than most, likely due to having already received a description of those expected to attend the private meeting. "Lady Akyra, I take it. Yes, Master Gundren has asked us to prepare the private room. If you would follow me, please?" As the dragonborn placed her order, Fribbington smiled,  He left the room to place the order, instructing one of the others to actually deliver it as he saw the next expected face enter the establishment.

"Master BonThot? Indeed I am, I swear my father must have drawn a hag's curse." He laughed it off.  "Right this way, please. Master Gundren is running a bit late, but he's sure to join you soon." There are close to two dozen other people inside the tavern's main room, people of all walks of life, and fair sampling of races. It was a lot of people in so small a place, making a tiny room in the back a rather welcome alternative to wait for Gundren's arrival. As you step inside, you're greeted by the presence of the black-scaled dragonborn.

Akyra, pleasantly surprised by the dwarf’s manners and knowledge in her own language, smiled.  she says in her native togune.  She nodded and sat there.

When the door opened, she looked up, her clawed hands on the table in front of her, she looked at the man with curosity.

Bonthot arrives, takes a look at the Dragonborn and says, "Your scales are quite lovely. I am BonThot, wanderer, tinkerer and any other 'er' that you can think of!"

"Do you have a name? And, more important, do you wish to share it with me? Oh, and I am not talking about your secret name, merely what most people call you."

The Dragonborn looked at the man as he spoke....a lot, and raised one eye ridge at the questions and comments. “Greetings Bothnot, My name is Akyra, priestess of bahamut.” She indicated a chair with her hand. “You do not fear me? Most people are wary of my kind, and those who know of my coloration even more so....but I thank you for your kind words.”

The cleric looked at him, many assumptions roaming through her mind, but she quickly banished them. She was someone who had such assumptions thrust on her, and she vowed not to do that to others.

....still, he talked a lot.

"Oh, I am wary, for I do not know you beyond what I can see. And I see a lot. And yet, I think we will be working together, and if you are one of the Great Platinum's vassals, that speaks well of you. Now, have you eaten yet? I am hungry and there is a repast waiting for us. I'm told that the food is provided free of charge."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:27, Mon 10 May 2021.

As the pair go through their introductions and BonThot askes about food, Fribbington clears his throat, <blue>"Excuse me. Yes sir, dinner is to be provided. Our menu is as follows..."



As he goes over the menu with BonThot, a smiling gnome with a balding head enters with a mug of ale and a steaming plate. As he turns to look at you maneuver the order in through the door safely, you see stitched wound on his right cheek. The smell of the spiced ham hits your nose before your eyes can even see it. He smiles at BonThok with creases in his aging face showing that such a smile has graced that face for many years. His bright eyes dull and wide in shock at the sight of Akyra, causing him to pull back reflexively and hitting the plate on the door frame. The ping-tinkling sound of shattered ceramic rings out just before a squishy thwulp as the spicy pork lands atop the plate fragments.

Silence fills the outside room as everyone turns to see what had happened. It lasts only a moment, naturally, before everyone turns back to their own conversations.

Akyra, looking at the man, nods, and even as he asks, the plate comes in with the pork. The smell, enticing brings a smile,to her face, but fades as the gnome looks on in shock and drops the food. Akyra closes her eyes and sighs, then looks at the gnome. “I mean you no harm my friend, though I’d appreciate a new plate of the pork if you wouldn’t mind.”

She looks at bonthot. “I have ordered, but it appears it might have a....delay. You are wise to be cautious of my kind. Black Dragonborn tend more towards evil deeds, but rest assured I am not like that.” You could tell this was a speech she had given time and again, and though her demeanour was normal, there was a slight hint of dejection and frustration in her voice.

"Oh, my friend, I hope I did not offer offense. I merely meant that we are companions now, at least for a short term and maybe more. And now, with our repast on the floor, we shall have an even bigger appetite to enjoy this fine meal, once it is done of course!"

Akyra chuckled at the mans comment. “You will find I am not easily offended. Angered, yes, but offended, no.”She watched as the gnome retreated after the reaction. “Reactions as such haves e been common since I came to this land as a child...even the temple I lived in I was tolerated at best by most. I had few true friends...gundren one of them. He was very patient towards a young and stubborn Dragonborn. “

She looked at her hands. “No...I do not take offence easily. Bahamut has taught me ways to redirect my emotions. As such I am part of a sect of the platinum dragons more militant sect of clerics.....what your kind would call a war cleric” She looked at her gear, then back. “I am tolerant, but don’t shy away from a fight. Had I not received my calling, Gundren had said I would have made a able warrior”

"You know Gundren & the way of Rockseeking? He taught me the art of meditation and how to silence the voices that plagued me! This is lovely! We are truly meant to be boon companions!"

Looking over his shoulder, he said to the beardless dwarf, "Another platter of food, please, seeing as your man knocked the first one over."

Pavel enters into the tavern, ready to meet his friends, he missed them since they travelled to the mountains.

He could smell the fine food from the door, which made his stomach rumble again. It had been a while since he had Miner's Pie and Ale.

While he places his order of food; he looks around, and smiles.

"Hello, it seems the Rocksplitter brothers have brought us all here. Gundren always did say he was going to be on the look out for martial talent."

The black skinned Dragonborn nodded. “I have known him for many years. He, a friend of him known as don-jon and his brothers  Tharden, and Nundro came to the temple for blessings and healing. While Gundren’s brothers settled for a quieter life, the others continue their adventures. I was but young when I first met don-jon and Gundren, rescued from a life on the streets.”

She took out the dagger at her hip and looked at it. “Before meeting them I was an angry, stubborn child. Gundren was one of the first people to see the true me and taught be some basics in fighting. It was a year or two later I was preparing to ask him if I could travel with him, when bahamut spoke to me.” Akyra chuckled. “In my calling, the platnimum dragon said I would one day travel with him, but was not yet ready. Gundren heard what had happened, and he gave me this...” Holding up the dagger. “...and told me to follow my heart. A wise man, but also a free spirit”

She replaced the dagger and looked at him. “Not many priests of bahamut follow the ethos I do, willing to fight for what is right in the world and put their life on the line. Most f them follow the path of a paladin, but my faith was stronger. I believe it is time that I assisted my old friend in his needs....so any who help him, we are to be companions. And with myself there, the platnimum dragon will watch our path with eager anticipation””

Akyra looked up as the door opened and looked at pavel, ready to judge the reaction he would have to her

As the door opens to Pavel, Bonthot looks up and says, "Welcome Friend, and enter."

Fribbington took the ale and handed it over to Akyra, then shooed the server away as soon as he'd picked up the ham and ceramics. He then apologized for the interruption and server's reaction, "We'll see to the food and drink orders immediately. Apologies once again."

Pavel entered as Fribbington was making his way out, "Ah, Private Marsk. Welcome." He offered to make introductions as necessary before he repeated the menu options for Pavel and took any other orders that were placed, then departed from the room once more.

"Greetings friends one and all. It seems that Gundren touched our lives in one way or another." He nods to each occupant, stopping and smiling at Akyra.
"Well met noble priest of dragons. In the future, might we discuss some matters of faith?"

As the others talk, BonThot inspects his meal, savoring the aromas for a time before digging in.

"A crust on top of savory spices and meats...what a wonderful concoction."

Akyra looked at pavel with a neutral expression, then she chuckled. "I've been called a lot of things, a noble isn't one of them...but any discussion of faith, I can do. Usually such discussions make people uncomfortable."

She took a drink of ale. "You'll find people wear their faith differently. Some of faith use it as a banner, flocking people. Some as a blanket."

The dragonborn looked at her weapons, then Pavel. "Me....my faith is my axe and shield. I'm not one for preaching - I'm a person of action."

Lifting his tankard, BonThot calls out, "To people of action!"

Then he continues his meal in silence.

The dragonborn smiled at the human. "To action and faith." She said, taking a drink

BonThot chews his meal slowly, savoring each bite. Once the meal is done, he pours a glass of wine and sips it. It is a strange dichotomy, this foppish man who seems restless, yet full of verve.

Leaning toward the Dragonborn, he says in a low voice, "I have a secret. I've more elf in my blood than human."

He guffaws as if he told a wonderful joke, then takes another sip of his wine.

Entering the tavern is a small lady goblin with flowing red hair, she is dressed a lot better than usual goblins people see goblins. She does turn some heads as she enters, it doesn't bother her however. She takes a bit to order her meal. "Hmmm... I'll try the sour windslosh and honey glazed ham!" she orders.

As the goblin enters the back room with the rest of the party she takes the time to introduce herself to the group before taking her seat. She walks up to each one of the people in the room and says "Greetings! I am the Lovely Green Rose of Wonder, Rosalyn!" She says this to everyone in the room one at a time before sitting down.

Pavel tenses as he sees Rosalyn, then turns to greet her.

"Well met, lady goblin. May fortune shine on us all."

Looking up from his wine, BonThot said to the goblin, "I like your hair."

Akyra looked at Bonthot and nodded. "My apologies....I've lived a life in seclusion. I have studied and trained most of my life in a secluded temple, almost what you would call a monastery. The monks and few paladins taught me to fight, but most are human. Other than friend Gundren and his kin, I have seen a half orc blood, Garathyn - a great paladin of Kord, and Katarinia, a cleric of the earthmother. I have met one celestial blood - assimar I believe you call them."

As the door opened and a goblin walked in, akyra's battle instincts kicked in and she tensed up, eyes narrowing. She took a breath, forcing herself to relax. This goblin looked nothing like the one's that attacked her temple so often - she was more refined. She had heard of goodly goblins, but never seen one. In greeting, Akyra simply nodded.

To Akyra: Please don't take this the wrong way, but I do not need or want your apologies. You did nothing wrong." He said this with an open, honest expression. "I am not easily offended."

Then he offers the Dragonborn a wide smile and wink.

Fribbington returned with orders as they had been requested, taking new orders and bringing those around shortly as well.

"I have just received word from Goodmaster Gundren, she should be here shortly." He turned to leave once more but held a hand up to his nose as he saw the goblin woman.

"Ah! Lady Rosalyn. I assumed one of the other guests had passed gas, but I should have known it was too foul for mere body odors. If your wit were as sharp as your teeth, you might have understood that." He smiled at the goblin, gave her a moment to reply, and then took her order and then excused himself.

Pavel stands next to the goblin woman.
"It seems our server passes out insults as well as food. If Gundren saw potential in you then that means more than a thousand of our server to me."

Akyra, still looking at rosalyn, nods. “I thank your kindness my new friend.” Her gaze, still steely, went after the server and no longer rosalyn. “Pavel is right....if Gundren trusts you, then you belong here. Please sit, and forgive my initial reaction.” The priestess shrugged. “The temple I was raised has been attacked by orc and goblin since I arrived there...one such was....” She left the sentence trailing off, but her clawed hand tapped the table.

She looked at her. “Please sit.” Her eyes lingered on the doorway, waiting the gnome to return

The last member of the group followed in quietly, as if blown in by the wind. She looked much the same as well, with her rough, dirty, almost mangy appearance, she hardly had the appearance one would typically associate with the elves. Some care and attention was given to her hair, and the intricate manner in which it was braided and worn together.

She sat down at the chair available, without a word spoken, her fierce eyes studying the stature and manner of her new compatriots closely.

BonThot immediately recognized the elfess for what she was. He stirred a bit, but said nothing. Rather he kept one eye on the newcomer and another upon his drink. There was an element of curiosity about her, but he would be patient feeling her out.

Pavel nodded to this wild-looking woman and sipped his ale before surveying the room with an eye for tactics to be used.

The black dragonborn, still eyeing the doorway waiting on the gnome,  narrowed her eyes, but softened seeing another elf, a female at that, come in and sit quietly.

The dragonborn nodded in welcome but said nothing

Gundren arrived a few short minutes later, greeting everyone in turn. Everyone notices that his greeting to Rosalyn also includes an exchange of insults, not unlike those of the dwarven server, though the relationship between Rosalyn and Gundren has the correct amount of affection involved to let the rest of the group know that the insult is a term of endearment between the two of them.

---

Alongside Gundren with a man known to some of you as Don-Jon Raskin, tall and dark of skin, wearing a cowboy hat and always seen chewing on a toothpick or similar object. Don-Jon also greeted his old friends, and introductions were made for those who had not yet had the opportunity to meet him. (If the intro PM did not mention Don-Jon, this is your first time meeting him.)

---

The two of them pass on offers of food, but they do place an order for drinks while introductions and catching-up happens.

"Hail and well met friend Gundren, who may this gentleman at your side be?" Pavel says ready to act if need be.

After drinks have arrived and all of the introductory chatter had been taken care of - (Feel free to RP the intros to Gundren/Don-Jon, if you want to have some back and forth.)

The man spoke up in reply to Pavel, "Name's Don-Jon Raskin. Pleasure to meet you, Sir."

"Don-Jon is the kind of man you want watching your back. He is as tough as any dwarf you will ever meet."

---

Gundren invites everyone to have a seat with himself and Don-Jon, then he begins to describe the job in more detail, "Don-Jon and I handpicked each of you for your varied strengths. For some years now, my brothers and I have been following clues to a lost dwarven mine known as Phandelver. Inside the mine the story tells of a jet of magical green flame that springs from the earth. The dwarves who found it used the flames to heat a forge and discovered that all weapons that are forged from those flame come out with magical properties."

"We found multiple sources that mentioned the mine, and enough mentioning for green flames and the forge itself for us to believe that it is true. What we could not find was any information at all about where to find it, save that it was somewhere in the Sword Mountains. With hundreds of miles worth of mountain to search, you can imagine why it has not been rediscovered."

Those who glance at Don-Jon see that he smiles at this as Gundren looked to him to continue, "With mining expeditions and more research, we found clues we'd missed for years. When found out it used to have another name - our missing link. Now we know where to find it, we just need miners and stuff to get it done."

Gundren took over once more, "We have a shipment of supplies being gathered here in Neverwinter right now. We need them delivered from here to a small town to the south, called Phandalin, close to the Sword Mountains. Phandalin will be our staging ground for the expedition into the Mines of Phandelver. It is a mining settlement, but they do not have nearly enough miners for what we need to accomplish."

"There's a Miner's Exchange in Phandalin, so we've sent word to miners all over offering jobs. There's going to be a lot of folks coming for the wage we're offering, so this stuff's going to help the locals keep up with the new demands."

"The road from here to Phandalin is an easy one, and fairly safe. Most of the road travels through open plains with open views for miles around. It will take you about two days of traveling with the wagon to reach the settlement, and late on that second morning is when you will reach the woods that surround it."

"That's where things can get a little more dangerous, but mostly what you'd expect from going into the woods; wildlife, maybe your rare goblin or blight. There aren't a whole lotta travelers going from here to Phandalin, so bandits ain't likely on that road. Of course, with us hiring, that might draw some of them too." Don-Jon looked to Gundren for his thoughts on that last bit, earning a half-shrug and a nod from the dwarf.

"Now, we do not have much in the way of details about what happened to Phandelver at the end, except that there was a battle of some kind followed by a very large collapse that sealed off the entire mine. The few details we did find about the battle itself were rather varied and it is impossible to know which account to trust. The one common thread is that magic was involved besides just that of the green flames. That means that once we get inside, there is no telling what we may find within."

Don-Jon cut in again, "And he ain't talking about magic flames or no flames, he's talking what kinda creatures may have moved in after the outside access was cut off."

Gundren nodded but held up reassuring hands, "True. That discussion we can have later, once we have more information. For now, what I need is for you all to escort the provisions to Phandalin in the morning. The wagon is already loaded, save for one final order that I have being worked on all night tonight, and they have promised that it will be ready first thing in the morning."

"We have fifty gold pieces for each of you, to see those goods delivered safely to Phandalin. Once we arrive and have reports from the scouts we had sent out before coming here, then we can talk about other job opportunities in the area to help with the expedition."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:08, Mon 17 May 2021.

The black dragonborn, her clawed hands in front of her, looked at the two enter. The woman smiled at the two, looking first at Don-jon. "So, old man....you still causing trouble for Gundren. Why am I not surprised your here."

She looked at Gundren and nodded in greeting, and listened to the tale. The cleric had grown up in a monstary,  and most tales of fancy had been spoken by these two men. She again drew the dagger at her hip. "Do you remember this Gundren...the dagger that you gave me, and that advice you gave me all those years ago." she held the dagger up.

"Remember what you said that day? That when I was ready, I would know my path. Well, it seems our path crosses this time."

She put the dagger away and looked at Gundren. "You taught me to fight, to use patience and trust my instincts. They ked me on this path, and now, my strength, instincts, faith and wisdom"

She taps her clawed hand. "I am with you."

After listening to Gundren and Don-Jon speak for a bit, BonThot rousts himself and goes over to where they are holding court - so to speak. "It is good to see you again, Gundren. I'm glad you are clothed this time!" Looking over at Don-Jon, he said, "I welcome you as a new friend."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:03, Mon 17 May 2021.

Bharkel had remained quiet this entire time, but was very much engaged, having leaned forward in her seat and listening very intently as the job was being described. "Fifty gold, per person? That's a lot of coin for something seemingly so simple. What are you not telling us?" The currency was scarcely her concern; it was a thing she needed to interact with the rest of the world, and little more. That said, she could recognize that the pay seemed excessive for the work.

BonThot said, "I'll be happy to take your share off your hands if you feel strongly about it."

"Aye, fifty gold is good pay. I will join this endeavor." Pavel said
He then turned to Bharkel and whispered.

"Ha-ha! I ain't dead yet!" He held his arms out as if to put himself on display and that doing so was answer enough to the question. "I spent plenty of time in those parts; I'd like to see to helping revive them a bit."



"I appreciate that, buddy. I've seen him naked more times than I like, myself. You ain't alone there."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:50, Wed 19 May 2021.

Gundren took the dagger with a smile, turning it over in his hands. "Yes, I do." He held the dagger back out to Akyra, but he held onto the blade when she reached to take it back. "And you've decided to take your Oaths?"



Gundren laughed at the mention of being clothed. "I need to plan another trip back up there, soon. It's nearly impossible to find a setting cold enough to get the full benefit of the meditation down here. The last time I got to really got to do it, I had to pay a mage enough gold to feed a small family for two months!"

"You're still keeping the peace, I take it."



Don-Jon seemed a bit annoyed at the question, but Gundren gave him a pat on the arm and answered, "This is a job that is all about making money. If I was simply in need of people to do a job for me, I'd pay less and take whatever help I could get for the money. Since a very great deal of gold stands to be made if we can get into that mine and keep that forge going, then we stand to make thousands, or more. That is why I have asked specifically for people I know, and who I know I can trust to get the supplies there safely."

"Things I have not told you are things that I do not know. Phandalin is a small town, there is one man in charge but no manner of law enforcement. We have sent out the call for miners to come for employment, but we do not know who will answer or what type of men they will be. It is possible that they could turn out to be the nasty sort that would cause trouble. In that case, we may need someone to help keep the peace. That may happen, it may not."

"We do not know what creatures we may find inside the mines; we may need help with that as well. Wealth tends to draw greed, and greed wears many faces. If people figure out what we are up to, they may try to take it from us. If that happens, I would rather know that there are friends nearby who could come to our aid rather than sell-swords who work for the highest bidder, or decide they want it for themselves."

"You can consider the amount above what you would expect to be paid, to be an incentive for you to hang around for a few more days after the provisions have been delivered, just in case we have further need of your services."



Gundren thanked all of those who had already agreed to take the job, but with others still hesitating for looking for more information, he was still very much in business-mode, and happy to address other questions and concerns.

BonThot takes a moment to speak with Gundren privately.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:45, Wed 19 May 2021.

"I might be inclined to be a guardsman again, if certain conditions are met. Think of it,  a booming mining town  might bring even more opportunities." Pavel said. Inwardly, he was cautious as things could easily grow too large.

The Dragonborn took back the blade. “Not oath per say....more calling. The platinum dragon has a path for me, and though I’m not like the pansy clerics in the monastery, neither am I a paladin. My link in my faith is stronger than a paladin, and while they are ferocious warriors, I too can fight. My ‘past’ has been taken into account by bahamut, and have been taught as a warrior priest....I believe Gundren your clan call them war priests.”

She looked back to her pack, with the battle axe and warhammer in sight. “I’m still a cleric and faithful of bahamut, but like the platinum dragon, this faithful has sharp teeth.”

Having had his fill of both food and libations, as well as company, BonThot bid everyone adieu and made his way to his room. Once there, he sat quietly in a yoga pose, legs twisted like a pretzel, while humming a monotone note over and over. After an hour, he stretches for five minutes, then climbs into bed.

Sleep eludes him for the nonce, but after awhile he shuts his mind on his worries and allows himself to fall asleep.