Chapter One - The Adventure Begins

Our story begins in the town known as The Forum. Our four adventurers enter the city's gates on their own, each seeking something. Radamyr the Browncoat, the Human Sorcerer arrives with ambitions of furthering his inherent magical abilities, and also curious as to the whereabouts of his father, who left home many years ago.  Arradel Galenmyr, the Elf Rogue, having left her Elven home in the neighbouring province,  has been wandering for over a decade and returns to the city after a successful herb gathering trip in the nearby mountains. For Bogor Werdal, Dwarf Barbarian, the visit to the city is not one of pleasantries, for he comes seeking information on the whereabouts of his fiancée, who was kidnapped by Goblins, forcing him to withdraw from Dwarven military academy. As for the Elf Paladin, Liaathvain Galenmyr, she comes looking to settle growing family disputes by bringing her cousin Arradel home to help put rising tensions to rest.    

Unbeknownst to them however, their fates are all about to become intertwined.  

Having caused a minor disturbance in one of the city's pubs by attempting to charm one of the local guardsmen, Radamyr finds himself thrown from the doors by the Knights of Alabaster, the military arm of the province of Dahldrum, which arouses the curiosity of Liaathvain, who approaches the Sorcerer outside.

Arradel, upon seeing Liaathvain in the city, knows why the Paladin is there, and attempts to stay out of her sight. But Liaathvain, on the alert for any sign of her long lost cousin, manages to see her out of the corner of her eye forcing an interaction between the two.  Liaathvain confirms that she is there to bring her home, and Arradel is incredibly reluctant to comply.  Radamyr isn't overly impressed with Arradel, who seems to have left a sour first impression with the sorcerer.  The feeling is mutual for the rogue.

Meanwhile Bogor has made his way to the other side of town, to a bar in the shadier section of the city.  He learns that there have been a lot of goblin attacks, and kidnappings as of late, but that if he wants to know more he should ask a guard, though perhaps this is not the best day to be speaking with the Knights. There is to be a public execution this afternoon.  The prisoner is a traitorous knight, who sold information to goblins, which lead to the kidnapping, and deaths of several other knights.

The four all make their way to the centre of town, where a large crowd has gathered, and as they arrive, they are witness to a large military procession, including a very large, regal looking carriage.  They watch as the knight known as Gerrand, is read his final rites.  Forgoing the chance at any last words, the executioner pulls the lever, releasing the wooden plank, and Gerrand is left hanging.

As the crowd disperses an old man, appearing to be helpless and out of his wits is seen pleading with the knights to help him, claiming his son is the victim of a kidnapping.  This draws the attention of Bogor, who believes there could be a connection between this and his fiancée.  Liaathvain, compelled to do good, and help those in need is also drawn to this man.  Refusing to let Arradel out of her sight, she brings the rogue, and Radamyr, curious as always follows along.  

Failing to get the attention of the knights, Boro, the blind old man turns to the only people willing to listen to him.  Introductions are made between the four, and the group agrees to help Boro get his son back.

Boro relates the story of how a group of goblins broke into their house in the night and dragged his son off into the darkness.  He gives the group a place to rest for the night, before heading out in the morning to go after the villains.

Having gathered information from town claiming that a group of goblins had been seen heading in that direction, the group marches South. Boro tells the group he believes goblins would use the caves in the mountains as a base of operations.  It's about a day and a half's march to the caves, so the group gears up and heads out.

As they stop to rest for a bit in a forest clearing, they hear a strange cackling laughter.  A group of four, small reptilian humanoids appear.  The group recognizes the creatures as Kobolds, and after attempting to speak with them, they realize that the vermin are only interested in a fight.

The Kobolds learn quickly though, that these four are more than a match for them.  The adventurers dispatch the small group with relative ease just as another small wandering party of Kobolds appear. They are overpowered, and are unable to escape.  After the clamour of battle dims, the group pulls the bodies of the Kobolds off the road into hiding, and continue their journey. Not long after, the group finds a safe place to rest for the night.

They awake the next morning fully rested, and make their way to the entrance of a cavern in the mountainside.  As they stand in the tree line, they are able to make out a small silhouette walking around the entrance of the cave's mouth.  

Much to the hesitation of the group, Radamyr and Bogor opt to simply walk right up to the entrance.  This proves costly, as the small figure they saw was a goblin sentry, guarding what they soon realize to be a goblin outpost.  Upon seeing the two approach the cave, the goblin quickly runs inside, and alerts those within that there are intruders nearby, and the sounds of preparations can be heard from inside.  

The two fall back, realizing they had just alerted all the goblins to their presence, and they then decide it would be best if Arradel snuck around to a hiding place above the mouth of the cave, to gather information.  It doesn't seem as if the goblins are going to come out. 

However, Arradel makes a costly mistake and slips which knocks several rocks. This is enough to get the attention of the goblins, and they send three of their scouts outside to investigate.  Arradel is overwhelmed by the three, and the group quickly realizes she is in serious trouble.  This prompts the others into action.  Liaathvain and Radamyr use their crossbow and longbow to injure one of the goblins, while Bogor charges in and finishes another off.  One of them limps away back into the cave managing to escape.  

Having nearly risked the life of Arradel, the group realizes they will need to come up with a strategy to get into the cave. They make haste away from the cave's entrance, and find shelter in an area off to the side that they believe to be safe.  Knowing that the elves both need to rest, Radamyr and Bogor take first watch, as the elves begin their meditation.  

During their watch they hear a sound come from up the cliff.  The two make their way up and manage to catch a lone goblin scout off guard, and unprepared.  They take him hostage, and attempt to wrest some information from him.  Radamyr, using his magical abilities casts a charm spell on the goblin, and is successful.  While still frightened of the sorcerer, the goblin believes he is not in any danger, and believes that he will be spared if he cooperates. Bogor remains behind to guard the elves, while Radamyr has the goblin lead him to a back entrance of their hideout.  

The goblin shows Radamyr how they could get in from behind.  Satisfied, Radamyr starts to bring the goblin back to the group.  However, the spell's effect wears off, and the goblin decides he is no longer safe and lets out a shout hoping to attract some help.  His cries are quickly silenced as Radamyr kills him.

Thinking it funny, and that his dwarven friend would enjoy the sight, he decides to carry the body with him, and throw it off an overhanging rock, so that it lands at the feet of Bogor.  This prompts a good chuckle from the dwarf, who has a natural hatred towards the creatures.

With the elves meditations complete, and a plan in place, the group prepares to enter the cave, and rescue anyone trapped within.

To Be Continued....