Weel Naxel stepped out from the doorway of the safe house. While it looked on the outside like a small tenant's building, it was actually the hidden shrine to Fharlanghn. Like many other clerical orders, Fharlanghn's worshippers preferred to stay in secrecy, only recruiting those pre-chosen to be given duties by diety. Weel was one of those men, a cleric-in-hiding who would be spurned by the common man if his diguise was uncovered. His training had been completed, and now he set forth on the ritual of his faith, the Learning Trek.
Weel looked up to the sky and saw a beautiful cloud, with a rather large eagle floating the currents. He smiled, and took a deep breath. His hand moved to the hilt of his weapon. Fharlanghn help me to fulfill my purpose. He thought for a minute, and then decided to head for an outlying town where he could locate a contact. With this in mind, he set forth through the paths and alleyways of the City.
However, fate distracted him when he noticed what seemed like a chase through the back alleys. Odd. It seemed like the man in the lead was wounded. Perhaps there is something I could do to help, he thought. The path they took lead straight out of the city and along the sewer ducts. He saw the first man collapse, and quickened his pace to the group ahead. "Is there anything I can do to help?" he asked. The woman came forward. "My name is Alexcia, and yes, It's pretty serious." Weel nodded, "My name is Weel, and I think I can help. Let me see." He took a close look, and nodded. "It looks like his lung is punctured.... theres only one thing I can do....." He looked up. "Can I trust you people? I can save him, but only if you give me your secrecy." Each person nodded in turn, so he stretched out his hand and let a blue glow emit forth. The trickle of blood ceased. Alexia gave him a solid look, "A cleric, eh? Interesting." At that moment, the pursuers arrived. The lead slaver was a tall man in rich clothing. "Well, well, what do we have here?" he said, "I see that you've caught our fugitive. Excellent. Now, hand him over and nobody gets hurt." Alexia stood an aproached the lead slaver. He looked right into the man's eyes and said, "This man is under our protection. If you want him, you'll have to go through us. The lead slaver nodded, "I see. Well, men, draw your weap---" At that moment, Luhal dropped from the sky, his blade outstretched. He landed on top of the lead slaver, and chopped deeply into the man's shoulder, nearly severing the limb. He stood, and kicked the man off his blade, the pointed it at the slavers. "Leave now, if you want to live," he hissed. They spun and fled for their lives, as he grabbed a bag off of the mortally wounded slaver. The moron even kept Silverdrakes equipment with him. I hope he didn't puncture this bag...
He turned around and stated, "My name is Luhal. Why did you heal my friend?" One of the men that had followed Alexia stood forward and said "My name is Ostu Redwhen, and this is my friend Iando Ballo. We are fugitives from unjust law, and have thrown our lot in with these people. This man was fighting for himself, and we were just helping him." Alexcia nodded, "And in that help, we've mortally wounded Thaedrun Vastimar, one of the richest men in the City. We have to get out of here, before his house sends their guards." Luhal nodded. "Well, if you are going to stay along, I will take him to a hidden grove north of here. You are all welcome to come if you wish." They all nodded. "There is strength in numbers!" said Iando, "Strong, wise allies are a rare commodity."
Then they left the great City, and went to the grove of Sharindon. The road was an old dirt one, but was less that a days walk to arrive. As they walked, they stumbled upon a small battle: a lone Dwarf was assailed by a large group of brigands. Judging from the bodies on the ground, he had slain six of them. The remainder, led by a large burly man with a red insignia on his armor, had pushed him back and the tide looked to be turning. Silverdrake, the wounded man, noticed the red symbol upon the bandit leader's armor. He recoginsed him as the man who had killed his friends. When the party heard him, they set upon the bandits, who fled when they saw the reinforcements. The dwarf shouted after them, "Keep running, you cowards!" Then, he nodded his thanks to the group. "Aye there! Thank you kindly for your aid, such men as those have no right to prey upon the weak. My name is Heclar." "We rarely see dwarves about," said Ostu, "Why have you ventured from your Hold?" Heclar sighed, and gained a distant look, "My adopted clan was slain as they slept, by some terrible, unknown creature... I quest to avenge their deaths. However, I recognise the strength of allies. Perhaps I could adventure with you?" Luhal nodded, "We seem to be gaining quite a group! I hope we can discover everyone's strengths and so present a united face to our enemies. Now, let us continue to Sharindon."
When they arrived there, they were surprised to see nothing but a small bunch of trees. "Welcome to Sharindon!" said a Luhal amused at the confused looks of the party. He walked up the the largest, central tree and muttered a few druidic sylables, and the root system of the tree folded back to reveal a tunnel leading down into the ground. "There is ones five of six rooms down there, but there should be enough beds and supplies for us." stated Luhal. Once the party was safely concealed inside the musty tunnels, they learned the basics about each other and prepared themselves for adventuring. Alexcia told them all of her failed attempt to gain financing from the Adventure Guild. She wanted to go to the eastern vale of Darkhallow, where undead were preying upon cavarans. From what she had heard, the pickings were rich for the people who dared to venture there. Also, Luhal knew of a plight on the northern western edge of Syrael, at the orcish hills of Swotear. A large forest inhabited by elves was there, under seige by man and orc. They were not in dire straits, since they had the home field advantage, but any help would surely be appriciated by any who could make it there alive.
The choice is up to the party.
