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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 1792243" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter Four, “The Assignment”.Palaem approaches the table with his cousin and nods in her direction.  She gives him an indifferent look back.   The male elf says “Pat would like us to sit with the humans.”  She replies “No need. There are enough empty tables.  But they are welcome to join me.”   She then hears a scraping sound and both elves turn to see that one of the humans has taken out his knife and is carving something into one of the tables.  Daradaleria turns and exclaims to him “May I ask what you are doing?”    He replies in a matter-of-fact voice “Carving a duck.”   She says, “Do you always deface the property of other people?”  He replies, “I am improving it, or are you saying that my carving work is sub-standard?”  The other human tells him “Maybe you should stop until we find out what is going on.”  Palaem says “Yes, please come join us at this table.” The four get together but the conversation remains minimal.  Not long thereafter the elvan family patriarch Gredewal Llyr arrives.   Pat remains in the room, standing at attention and alert.  The female elvan serving woman stays in the room over near the bar. He approaches the four and begins by thanking them for all coming.   He then recounts a short history of the region and city of Brondani. He then says “And the nature of this city is one of the reasons that I have brought you together.   The elves of this Kingdom are long-lived, and tend to view problems from a long-term perspective.   For example, my eldest Grandson is away on a mission with other elves of this city.  So far they have spent thirty-eight years on this assignment and are still on the ‘scouting’ phase of the mission. When things come up that need an immediate resolution the city is slow to act.  I would like to assemble a team to handle these short-term assignments.  A situation has recently arisen that would work for an initial task for this group, which is why I have asked the four of you here.   Each of you will play an important part of this mission.”He then glances over towards the table that Corlen had carved into and comments “I see that you have already begun to redecorate.  That is fine, since I am giving this tavern and inn to you.”  This comes as a surprise to all four.  “Excuse me?” Aidon asks.   Gredewal smiles and replies, “You are going to need a headquarters and this building should work well for that task.This building is currently clean fully furnished but you will still need to stock it with food, beverage, bed linens, decoration and new signage for the front.   I am giving you 1,500 gold pieces to do that with and a 200 gold piece a month stipend beginning next month for as long as you require it.  I expect you to manage this accordingly, attract other adventurers to join you here, and be available for assignments as they come up.   Are there any questions?”Aidon asks “How are we supposed to manage an inn while we are away on adventure?”.   He gestures to the female elf in the corner “Rhee Copperwood will assist you with this.  “Why us?”  Dardaleria asks, adding “I’m supposed to be in school.”   He smiles and says, “This is the year that your school sends you out into the world.  Consider this part of your education.   Rhee is affiliated with your school and will be making periodic reports to your instructors.”    Dardaleria looks back towards the elven woman.  This confirms her suspicion as to this woman’s actual identity.   Within the city of Ravensgate is a woman and graduate of he school known as Muriel.  She too had a rebellious nature, opting to become a Sorcerer rather than a Wizard.  She and her raven are known as being masters of disguise, but every identity that she adopts uses as the first name one syllable of her real name, Merr, or Rhee or Elle.   She had once worked for both the Ravenking who headed the school and the King of Ravensgate who ruled the city, but now worked independent of both men.   Dardaleria could not recall having ever met the woman before, but she knew that Muriel and Gredewal were friends.  “Great, I get a school legend as my babysitter,” she thinks to herself.”   Her raven sends back thoughts of total agreement, as Muriel’s raven has become a legend among its race, and not necessarily who her avian companion wishes to have the daily scrutiny of.   The raven chooses not to share with Dardaleria one other concern that he now has, all the ravens can sense the presence of others of their own race, but he could not sense Muriel’s, so that one was somehow able to shield itself. Gredewal continues “This could become a lucrative venture for your group and you are free to keep any profits, I will only ask back from you’re my initial investment, and only if you are successful with the venture.    In truth, my investment here is in my grandchildren,” as he gestures to Palaem and Daradaleria.   “Palaem, you are becoming far too comfortable in that library of yours.  You need to broaden your horizons and venture out into a world where your choice of deity will be accepted.   Daradaleria, like your cousin you also need to expand your horizons, which in your specific case also means learning to interact with those of other races and cultures.” Corlen asks “I’m not related to you.  Why me?”   Gredewal replies, “Each of you were referred to me by people who I know and respect.  Each of you has  skills will be helpful for this initial assignment.  If at any point your are uncomfortable with this arrangement you are free to leave.” “What is our initial assignment?” Palaem.  Gredewal gestures to Pat and replies, “Another of my grandchildren, Pat’s older brother Jason, is currently at a country fair where he has been hired to entertain.  The fair is threatened by the presence of a rabid wolf that is terrorizing the town.  I feel that this task is appropriate for your team.  Each of you has unique skills and experience that would be helpful.”  He then looks at the elves and adds “Plus, I would like a full accounting from each of you of how your cousin conducts himself.   One reason I assigned him to this fair was to help pull him out his melancholy.  It has been several years since his father’s death but the sadness is still with the boy.”  Gredewal then says “A carriage will pick you up here tomorrow morning to take you to this assignment.  In the meanwhile, you have the remainder of the day to make whatever arrangements you seek to prepare this inn for use.  I will see you tomorrow.”   He and Pat then depart, leaving the four somewhat stunned novice adventurers sitting at the table. Daradaleria comments “It looks like Grandfather has done what he always does.”  “What is that?” Aidon asks.</blockquote>

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