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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Jodo Kast" data-source="post: 313647" data-attributes="member: 4810">THE SUNLESS CITADEL Part 1: Brynja Arrives In Oakhurst; A Meeting With Kerowyn Hucrele Brynja arrived in the small town of Oakhurst in the late afternoon several days before Midsummer.  The morning had been beautiful, with a sunrise deserving of a portrait, but as she neared Oakhurst the day darkened.  The town itself was quiet as a library, and the gray light which fell between the few small buildings clustered around the road softened and blurred the shadows, causing the town to appear old, tired ... faded.When Brynja left Oakhurst with her father more than a decade before, she was a tall, gawky, towheaded lass of twelve winters.  Her hair had darkened since, becoming the lustrous auburn of finished cherrywood, but her bangs remained blonde, falling to chin length on either side to frame her attractive face.  No longer the awkward girl who once called Oakhurst home, Brynja was now lithe and graceful, her body lean and muscled.  Gone was the simple peasant's dress of her youth, replaced by the outfit of an explorer, scale mail, a buckler, leather breeches, high boots and a light cape.  A heavy crossbow was strapped to her back, and a longsword hung at her side.  The girl who once played with dolls on her father's farm outside of Oakhurst was a swordswoman now.  And she was, perhaps, the only hope her childhood friends Talgen and Sharwyn Hucrele had left.                                                   * * * *Twenty minutes after arriving in town, Brynja sat in a stiff-backed chair in a well appointed office.  Across a large desk sat a stern-faced matron, her silver-streaked hair worn in a severe bun and a permanent scowl dragging the corners of her mouth downward."Thank you for coming, Brynja," Kerowyn Hucrele sighed heavily.  Her children's friendship with the grubby farmer's daughter had brought her much displeasure through the years.  Truth be told, that had a great deal to do with her purchase of Brynja's family farmstead more than a decade ago.  Kerowyn paid more than a fair price for the land, and Brynja's father left Oakhurst with his daughter in tow.  Over the years couriers would occasionally deliver some missive from Brynja in her new home town of Blasingdell to Talgen and Sharwyn, and Kerowyn knew that the children wrote to their old friend as well.  She suspected that Brynja's chosen profession as a swordswoman in service of the Blasingdell watch had influenced her children's foolhardy pursuit of adventure.  She had seen the blood rise in Talgen's cheeks at the mere mention of Brynja's name, and guessed at his intention to court her someday.  Because of all this Kerowyn despised the peasant girl, but now she had need of Brynja's swordarm."I came right away, Mistress Hucrele," Brynja replied, her voice shaky with concern for her old friends.  Her feelings for Talgen and Sharwyn were strong and sincere, and so she either did not notice the disapproving tone in Kerowyn's voice or chose to ignore it.  "How can I help?""A little more than a month past two so-called adventurers arrived in town, full of grandiose ambition and foolhardy notions.  Sir Braford was a headstrong, self-righteous devotee of Pelor.  His companion was an elf, some sort of wild woodsman.  Kerakas, I believe was his name.  The two of them somehow convinced Talgen and Sharwyn to accompany them into the depths of the Sunless Citadel, certain that they would find wealth and glory.  I warned them that the Citadel was a place of death, but they failed to heed my words.  They delved into the Citadel a month past, and were never seen again."I sent for rescuers almost immediately, of course.  I learned of two mercenaries of some notoriety, one a dwarven arcanist with the might to drive goblin hordes before him single-handedly, the other a half-orc more powerful than any ten men.  They should have been here several weeks ago, but they never arrived.  That is why I sent for you.  You are the last hope my children have."Go for them, Brynja.  I will assemble a party to accompany you, the best I can do in these dangerous times.  If you find and return my lost children you will be rewarded handsomely, 250 gold pieces per child, for each of you."Brynja's eyes flashed blue and bright and hard at Kerowyn Hucrele.  She was insulted that the old merchant offered her gold to go to the rescue of her best friends in the world.  It struck Brynja as particularly gruesome that Kerowyn could so callously place a price on the return of her own children, as if this were no different than any of her myriad business transactions.  But had Kerowyn not always been that way, throwing gold at all of her troubles, buying anything and anyone that stood in her way?  Brynja averted her gaze to the floor and continued listening."If they cannot be returned, then at least bring to me the gold signet rings they wore.  Of course, the reward will be halved if they are not brought back alive."Brynja drew a deep breath, struggling not to trade harsh words.  "Of course I will go after Talgen and Sharwyn, and I shall bring them back alive.  I'll set out at first light tomorrow."  Brynja stood, shouldered her pack, and left the office without another word.  There would be a meal and a warm bed for her at the Ol' Boar, and she would be well rested for the dangerous quest awaiting her.Kerowyn's eyes narrowed as Brynja departed, and she rose from her desk.  She had more recruiting to do, and precious little time before sundown ... and the coming of the monsters.</blockquote>

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