“THE Adventurers” Ep. 3: A Speedy Recovery
A fire burnt brightly in the fading light, illuminating four
tired, battle worn faces. Uthal, Wrenn, and Torment all sat pondering what the
next move would be. Ezekiel , having just recovered from his wounds, snored
loudly as his Genasi snores filled the camp with the sounds of grinding rocks.
Torment spoke first.
“If I’m going to be any use to this team, I need to prepare
my spells. I will return,” he stated flatly. Torment then turned and
disappeared into the woods, leaving just Wrenn and Uthal.
The gnome and the goliath sat, considering the events, and
finally came to at least one decision. “I think it’s clear,” Wrenn spoke up,
“that if we are going to go any further than here, we are going to need more
than two functioning people.” Uthal Grunted an affirmative, so Wrenn continued
“and I don’t exactly know your sentiments, but I’m not going back to that town
to find more adventurers without anything to show from our first task.”
“I agree,” Uthal stated, “If only the two of us return, that
would not look good, and it certainly wouldn’t fill the townsfolk with any
sense of confidence.”
While the two discussed where exactly to start a search for
new members of their team, both failed to notice as a tall imposing figure
approached them from the shadows. Then, with a loud thump that startled both
Ulthal and Wrenn, the canvas of a two person tent flopped down in front of
them. The pair looked at the tent, and
then slowly turned to see the surprisingly healthy figure of Nolan the Paladin
looking back at them.
“What the hell!?” they both started jumping up and reaching
for weapons.
“Nolan’s back you dweebs!” Nolan laughed! As Wrenn and Uthal
slowly recognized him, they became less afraid and more curious. Battered with
questions, Nolan related his tale.
“Well, as I died, I felt at piece. I saw all my actions,
knowing that my work for good and justice would be recognized in the afterlife.
But then before me appeared a god…” Nolan stated, pausing for dramatic effect.
Wrenn and Uthal were on the edge of the logs they were using for seats. “She
told me to go north, to find a man in a cave. The fate of the world is
unbalanced, and our finding him is vital. Welcome to having a quest guys.”
Wrenn and Uthal sat back, wide eyes staring back at Nolan
and his tale. “Well Uthal,” Wrenn broke the silence, “It would seem we are
doing a really good job. Only five minutes ago we decided to add more members
to our ranks and already Nolan returns.”
“We are a fantastic team, It must be said,” Uthal agreed
puffing out his chest. “At this rate we will have the people we wanted in no
time. I wouldn’t be surprised if someone showed up right now!” The two leaned
back looking proud of themselves.
“Hello there!” a gruff voice erupted from behind them. All
three jumped again reaching for their weapons a second time. Before them stood
a dwarf, short but sturdy, his beard reaching close to the ground, and his
shoulders broad. This time, the group did not let their weapons down, being
suspicious of the newcomer.
“Who are you, and what business do you have here?” Uthal
demanded, his menacing size drwing intimidation.
However the Dwarf seemed unfazed, not as though he wasn’t
bothered by Uthal’s size, but rather, as though he hadn’t even noticed. “I say,
who are you people, camping out by the road like this?”
Wrenn, Nolan, and Uthal all looked at each other a bit
confused. Had he not heard them? “Excuse me, but we just asked you that
question,” Uthal reasserted.
The dwarf grinned “Oh so ya have. The name’s Vellen. I’m a
Cleric, sent out by my clan to do good in the world. I am meant to assist in
those who seek to banish evil, and had hoped you might be a crew who was doing
that type of thing.”
There was silence. Or there would have been if not for
Ezekiels granite like snores filling the campsite. Wrenn spoke up first, saying
“Ah yes, we happen to be that group, however, let us discuss this matter
amongst us adventurers for a moment. Excepting new members into our group is no
small matter.”
The three all turned into a huddle, looking at each other
trying to gage every ones opinion on the newcomer. “I’m not a huge fan. He’s
abrasive and socially inept,” Uthal stated. The other two couldn’t really disagree.
Then Wrenn started “Yes that may be true but we were just
shown first hand that we need more fighters. And here comes another right out
of the darkness. Once again Uthal, we are doing a very good job at finding more
team members, even if they seem a bit odd.”
“I have to take that side,” Stated Nolan. “I’m in no mood to
die again any time soon, and despite his mannerisms, he seems to be a strong
and able warrior.”
“Well I like him. He seems like just the kind of man we
need!” another voice piped in. All three looked to find Vellen had joined in their
huddle and was aiding in the discussion. Vellen looked around the group,
apparently unaware that he had not yet been declared a member of the team. “By
the way, who are we talking about?” the dwarf continued. The group looked
around, and smiled despite themselves. The dwarf, although misguided in
interacting with others, seemed genuine. Now he only needed prove himself in
battle.
“Alright,” Uthal stated. “You can join with us for now, but
we re4serve the right to send you off should you prove false.”
“Haha!” the dwarf cheered. “I’ll be happy to be of service. To
celebrate let’s get a drink at the local tavern!” All four of them nodded. They
had been intending to regroup at Blacktree anyway, and started heading back
down the road. Night had truly struck now, and they were guided by the light of
the moon and the stars. Wrenn sat upon Uthal’s shoulders, helping guide both
Uthal and Nolan who had no dark vision to aid them. In this darkness the group failed
to notice yet another newcomer emerging from the trees.
“Hello there,” the figure started, giving all four group
members a start. “Oh sorry, I didn’t mean to scare any one.”
Standing before them now, was an elf, heavily armed, but not
hostile. “Who are you now?” Nolan asked, wondering how many new people he’d
have to meet tonight.
“Oh, um yeah, I guess I could start there. Well, um, I guess
I’ll just be straight with you guys, I don’t exactly know who I am or where I’m
from. But I woke up in the woods without much memory a while back, and have
just kind of been living in isolation since then. But, well, when I saw you
guys, I thought, you know, maybe I can go about working with others again, and
try to help you guys out with any tasks you might be set out upon.”
This story was not what any of the team had been expecting
to hear. A ranger with no memory was not something you came across every day,
and it was a story that was hard to trust. But at the same time, none of the
group members, including Wrenn who had a way with people, could detect any
falsehood in his words and ways. Wrenn turned to Uthal and said “Well then,
only about an hour or so ago we decide we need to build up our numbers and we
make that goal before even getting back to town. Uthal, we just may be the best recruiters on
this side of the realm. Tell us elf, by what name should we call you?”
“Oh! Well,” the elf scratched his head seeming in
concentration, “I can’t really bring to mind my actual name at this point, but
you guys can go ahead and call me Cartsy.”
And so, The five wandered back towards the town with new
faces in tow.
