The threats from Goruka and Pachen hung like a dark cloud over the Kingdom of Shillen. The devastating invasions had shaken the kingdom. The population of the Duchy of Rogan, bordering Goruka, had been decimated, especially among the young men and women who had taken up arms to defend their homeland. In the towns closest to the border, you hardly ever saw a young person of fighting age anymore! And with the rumors of Goruka raising horrible armies of orcs, goblinoids, and undead, there has been a slow trickle of folk leaving the border towns to find safer lives deeper within Shillen. If the roads weren’t filled with bandits and evil humanoids, a lot more probably would have left.
Meanwhile, throughout the Duchy…
Alan Diagabon had not found any mercenary work for a while, and felt trapped in this no-where village. He had spent all day making straw practice dummies, and was just about to get to the fun part, which was whacking them with a stick (swords shredded the dummies too quickly), when he heard someone shout "Alan Diagabon?" Hey, that's me, damn it. He turns, about to tell whoever it is to bugger off and come back at a better time, but stops when he sees a strange man on a horse. Huh? Who's that?
Filbert ‘Bert’ Wateryfoot was reading a nice travel scroll about sightseeing in the capitol city of Mintra. Re-reading it, actually, there was so little travel literature in this village! OK, not really even reading, just mostly daydreaming of travelling to distant, exotic places, and some good halfling food, when a sister of Fharlangan called him. Someone had come to the temple with a message for him! For me, he wonders? He goes outside to see who it could be.
Zanock was relaxing in a pleasant glade when he heard the hooves. He squinted as he saw a mounted rider crest the ridge, heading straight towards the massive orc. His mouth widened in delight as he jumped up, wondering if this silly human was going to challenge him to a pummeling bout. Gosh, it's been a long time since someone wanted to fight him! But the human, seeing the eagerness to fight in Zanock’s eyes, just tossed him a tube and backed away. Huh? Did he want me to toss it back? No, wait, it’s a scroll! Why would someone give a scroll to me?
Dunathar Without Name watches the mounted rider approach in his direction. Hmm, a new well-dressed fellow in town. Looks like an easy mark, the dwarven rogue thinks. Nice horse, too. This might be my chance to begin collecting my fortunes! I'll just follow him until the opportune moment arises, he thinks, as he slips quietly back out of the rider's path. But the rider turns to follow him, chasing after him, even calling out his name! Dunathar does his best to hide his surprise and act nonchalant. He can't tell how successful he is.
Etherial strides out of Requiem Hall, confident he will make his way in the world, despite the chaotic times. With great chaos comes great opportunity, does it not? He had not gone far when he sees a messenger approaching him. Ah, he thinks, opportunity may be coming quicker than I even anticipated!
Rowyn Elwick Doublelock Daergal Scheppen III smiled at the attention her clothing and costume jewelry got. All publicity is good publicity, isn’t it? So she wasn’t surprised to see the look of recognition on the mounted rider as he approached her. Probably a fan, she thought as she smiled, ready to enjoy his praises as he dismounted and approached her.
A mounted messenger approaches, leading a riderless mount behind him. He looks like the sort who might deliver messages for wealthy merchants or nobles, you think, as he gives you a message scroll. The message scroll has what looks like the unbroken seal of House Dharnan on it. Never did you think you would receive a message like this!
"Dear citizen, House Dharnan requests your help. Word has reached us of your exceptional abilities, and we believe you may be of service to us, and to the entire kingdom! If you agree to help, please accept this mount as a token of goodwill. It has a few battle scars, but I assure you it is a fine animal, and served its last rider, may he rest in peace, loyally during the recent Gorukan invasion. Make your way north to Carodan, the last outpost on the trade road before the wilderness and Goruka. Travel is dangerous, but a small merchant caravan will pass by your village in a few days. You should have no trouble, riding your new war mount, in signing up with the caravan as a guard. I will meet you at the Slashing Sword. The fate of Shillen may depend on it!"
The letter is unsigned. The messenger knows nothing more. He holds out his hand for a tip.
[You get a light warhorse, military saddle, and saddle bags with waterskins and rations to last seven days. Small characters receive riding dogs. Add your new mounts and equipment to your character sheets. You may name and describe them as you like.]
The caravan arrives as the scroll said it would. It consists of ten wagons and one carriage, all drawn by heavy horses. There are six guards, all humans, on light warhorses, and a seventh on a heavy warhorse. Darien, the armored human mounted on the heavy warhorse, gladly hires you on. He tells you he has recently lost some men, and could use the help. He offers to provide food and water during the trip, and payment of 20 gp when you arrive in Carodan. The price seems pretty standard for this kind of work.
