Part 1: Into The Brewing Cauldron.
“Great beginnings make successful enterprises.”
Darmonite aphorism.
It is a mild and rainy autumn day, just outside the town most call Cauldron. The town owns its unusual name to the fact that it’s built inside the crater of an extinct volcano on the western side of the Brown Mountains. Some might say this is foolish but the gnomes who founded the city didn’t mind being called foolish. Besides, living in a deep crater has its advantages. The walls of the crater provide natural defences to its inhabitants. Cauldron is only accessible by flight or by crossing one of the three tunnels that pierce the surrounding rock wall.
The early gnomes of Cauldron used it as a small outpost from which they could launch their gems mining expeditions. The rare shepherds and ranchers of the area would visit the place to sell their animals and trade for a few supplies. As the more and more people fled the Kingdoms to settle this wild part of the Tolvus Principality, the settlement grew to become a large town. Now, the humans outnumber the gnomes in Cauldron and the economy is no longer centered around mining and herding. The local farmers bring a lot of business to Cauldron and it’s also an important stop for traders who cross the Baras Pass, linking the Principality of Ariany (on the eastern side of the mountains) and Tolvus. While the region is now more civilized that it used to be, it is still a frontier town of the Principalities. Large parts of the jungle that hugged this side of the Brown Mountains were cleared by the settlers but other parts still remain and are filled with wild beasts and nameless horrors.
At least that’s what they say. You are all just outside Cauldron, at the western gate, but you’ve not been able to enter yet. A large group in front of you is also waiting for admittance and are blocking your way.
Gray
You’ve just crossed the Brown Mountains through the Baras Pass, leaving behind the settled lands of Ariany, north of the desert where you learned the ways of the Druids. You’ve decided to continue your nomadic way for now, but the mountain crossing was a tiring one and you wouldn’t mind resting in Cauldron for a few days. Perhaps, you’ll be able to find some acceptance here or at least someone in need of your abilities. In any case, you now stand in front of the western gate of the town, waiting to be admitted in.
Brandy
In your recent travels in the Tolvus Principality, you’ve heard that the growing town of Cauldron and its region was a place of exiting adventure. Intrigued, you have made your way here, under the shadow of the mountains, without much excitement. You wonder if what you heard is true. Even getting into the town is long and dull. You wonder what is taking so long in front.
Vivri
You’ve travelled to Cauldron to see the Brown Mountains. You remember well the beauty you saw in the valleys of Burmanny and you’d like to see a similar yet different panorama. Besides, Cauldron was just the next dot on the map. Waiting in line to be admitted in the city is hard for you and you’re eager to get moving again.
Dacre
You’ve first arrived in Hurunam in Saer Tolvus, the capital of the Tolvus Principality. The house of Darmon there is grand and you were welcomed with open arms. You enjoyed Saer Tolvus but after a few months of making deals in the city and debating at the House, you began to feel that you were limiting yourself to only a small part of Hurunam. You wanted to explore more of the land and to see what riches it could bring. The High Wayfarer of the House recommended you to make your way to Cauldron. He told you that his fellow High Wayfarer there, Adratan Silvior, was a good man and that the frontier was the best place to make a good profit, if you were daring enough. And so, you find yourself outside of the Cauldron, with your mule carrying the few supplies you plan to sell inside.
Everyone
The four of you don’t know each other but you are all in the same predicament. Not only are you stuck in the rain but a group of about 20 armored and heavily armed men and woman is also blocking your way into the city. You surmised that they are Teraketh by the long braided hair that escapes from under their helms. Their apparent leader, a tall human in his early thirties with blond hair and many scars, has been talking for a few minutes with a gnome wearing a breastplate adorned with an insignia new to you: a worked gem surrounded by a ring of stone. The gnome is surrounded by about ten other guards, some human and others gnome, but they are all wearing a similar breastplate and holding halberds. As the discussion between the two leaders becomes more heated, you catch some glimpses of it.
“By the Mighty Terak, Gidbore, we’re here to escort lord Rimbran, let us in!”
“Lord Rimbran or no, lieutenant, the judgment of the Maalites for what you did last time was quite clear. I can’t let you enter with your weapons. Leave them here and your group can enter.”
“Blast it! You know quite well that this is part of our faith. We must always be ready to defend yourselves.”
“Then keep one of ‘sleeping’ daggers you carry. We’ll take of your protection.”
“A Soldier of Terak needs NO protection, Gidbore! Especially not from members of your small race of Zheenkeef worshippers. Now, will you let me in or will I have to duel you for it?”
At these words, both parties become nervous and some of the Teraketh put their hand on their weapons. The gnome, captain Gidbore from what you heard, doesn’t appear like he’s about to back down. It seems it could come to blows.
Vivri and Dacre both notice that these Teraketh are all wearing an attached bundle of small sticks around their neck and not a small axe, the more common symbol for followers of Terak. This is usually the symbol of the Teraketh who believe that strength of the many is more important than uniting for helping those in need.
OOC: Go ahead and post your actions. You can also describe your character to the others. If you don’t like your character’s reason for coming to Cauldron, you can always specify another one.
, let’s get this started.
