Snippet #2611411

It has been a few weeks since the incident at Appleton, where the Party accidentally unleash a very destructive Slime upon the town. The group was too late to stop it's horrific rampage, marking this as their first failure. The fate of Appleton weighed heavy on many of their shoulders making their once promising trip into a more somber trek. Still, life marches onward and so must the Party, for a princess still remains captured and a kingdom remains besieged by the terrible Dragon who abducted her. The weeks following their fateful journey from Beystead has led the Party to another, brilliant city, one not owned by the King but by the famous Merchant Guild! Walls surround the area as Gatekeepers allowed the Party access, after all, adventurers often need things and often having the money to spend for it.

As the Group manages to enter, a bustling city of commerce laid before them. The people as far as they could see, seemed relatively wealthy. Much more used to the dregs and poverty stricken residents of the Kingdom, seeing a more financially secured community was both welcoming and off putting. Often begging the question of how and why are these people still spending sovereigns on, well, quite frankly expensive merchandise. When there is a whole Kingdom that could benefit from the good food, shelter, and clothing. Yet at the same time, this vision of normalcy helps to ease the mind of the atrocities of the Dragon and the memory of Appleton as well. The people of Belmere even seem to go as far as to ignore the threat of the Dragon, just to ease themselves and maintain a false sense of peace.

The people seemed to have given strange looks towards the Party. Sure they can accept the fact they are adventurers, their looks clearly demonstrate that origin, but the diversity of the group alone was astounding. To see a Gnome, a Dwarf, a Half Demon, one of the Beastfolk, an Elf, and a Humanoid Slime mixed in with a cast of Human misfits, it was all quite too much even for an Adventuring Party. Still the first rule of commerce is that the customer is king and therefor must be treated as such. So despite their wild attires and racial diversity a good merchant sees past all barriers and remains open for dealings. Everybody's money is good enough! So the Party, well at least the less intimidating members are approached by many a trader looking to sell off his wares. The whole place was quite distracting. But be wary brave adventures, dangers lurk within the mass confusion of this lively city. Dangers that seek to test you for a sinister purpose.

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Taethion

The young Paladin has taken the lost at Appleton quite personally. He felt ashamed and defeated by the fact he could not save them. A Paladin is a hero to the defenseless and he has failed to come to their defense. How can he ever become a Knight if he cannot keep such promises?! Since then he has looked forward hoping to complete their original quest in order to redeem himself and save the Kingdom at large. Such a quest will truly prove if he is worthy of Knighthood amongst the Order. Of all of them, he is hungry to do right by others and seeks to redeem himself, even if he has not failed Dedarius, he has failed himself. Despite the grim tragedy he is hopeful of the future, hopeful that such a time may be close at hand. With the Love and Honor of his Lord in his heart, the Paladin readies himself for the journey ahead.

As he entered the City of Belmere, he was both quite shocked and confused at the current state of the city. Having seen nothing but grief and poverty during his travels, this city seems even more well off than Beystead. He could tell the Dragon hasn't extended much influence over Belmere, considering all of the opulence and the pristine conditions of the city itself. The people seemed peaceful and happy, which eased Taethion's mind. "At least the Dragon hasn't terrorized this city." Taethion spoke aloud. He sounded absent-minded as if distracted by everything around him. He felt weary from long day of travel and sought the comforts of an inn, that has been absent for the past week now. Yeah the appeal of sleeping on the ground does wear off eventually. With a heavy yawn he looked towards the others, "I'm not sure about the rest of you but I feel that staying at an inn would do us good right about now." Taethion spoke as his eyes searched around for such a place.


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Randionalia

The Royal Assassin however, was not so heavily distraught after the failure at Appleton. Failure did come with a certain amount of hurt and frustration for the Elven Assassin, but she was able to shake it off after sometime. Now she was focused ever more so on finding the damned Dragon and slaying it in the name of the King. She still felt unsure about her current companions, their abilities and battle experiences is not what troubles her, but rather their inexperience working cooperatively. She felt this ragtag group of adventures might not be the answer the King was looking for. Even her experience cannot account for this failing. She has done her best to help guide this group, but it seems the lot of them are more comfortable relying on themselves. Only a few seemed agreeable to following commands.

The lack of trust and familiarity with their strengths and weakness might just end their group in the long run. She has spoken with the more communicative, but the more reclusive and more stubborn has tested this warrior's patience. Randi is beginning to reach her wit's end with these people. As she entered the city she recalled this place from a mission sometime ago. She was sent here to assassinate a dangerous criminal who has risen to be something more like a terrorist. He was reported to be hiding out in Belmere. He was hoping to use the city's independence as grounds to protect himself from the Londean Monarchy. The Merchants get a bit antsy when soldiers enter the city, so the King instead sent a group of assassins lead by Randi to infiltrate and find the criminal.

They did, but the plan was more...public than she would have liked. The criminal was wily and was unafraid to even hurt civilians just to prove a point. His destruction of random buildings drew the public's attention. Soon their assignment was no longer secret and stealth was abandoned. They killed the criminal in a open battle on the city ramparts. Not too long after, she and her assassins were kicked out as the City Council blamed them for provoking the criminal. Suffice to say she doesn't feel comfortable returning to this place. In her reminiscing she nearly missed Taethion's suggestion of finding an inn. "Yes, that sounds like a good idea. I can even wait there for my contact." Randi spoke up. Earlier a couple weeks ago, Randionalia was approached by an old comrade of hers. Apparently they have been asked to complete a dangerous mission far off from Londe. She was originally against it but the assignment had the Royal Crest stamped upon it, signifying that the King requests her assistance on this mission.

If it's something more important than the effort to end the Dragon then the situation must be dire. She was told that a contact would meet with her in Belmere and from there she will have to depart from the group. Being so goal oriented she would have preferred to stay here, but her duty calls and she is not one to disobey direct orders.

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Meanwhile...

Incognito, Vilus and Duergen sat by an outside table at a restaurant. They were in the middle of enjoying their meal. "So then, are you sure those adventurers will come by this place?" Vilus asked while eating a shank of lamb. "Aye, they'll be 'ere soon, oi'm certain av it." Duergen responded. "And what makes you so sure about it?" Vilus asked as he drank more of his ale. "From de way they've been travelin'. T'anks ter our intelligence we believe they are 'eadin' for Ocford. Obviously dis is wan av de first places they nade ter go through ter git dare." Duergen spoke with confidence as he drank from his pint. "So what? Are they seriously considering us to fight them?" Vilus asked. "Naw, naw, they merely want us ter test dem...," Duergen stopped in mid sentence when a rather unruly man came walking down the street.

"Outta of my way! I need a drink! Hey you! Big Nose! Where in the Nine Hells can a guy get some grog around here!?" The man yelled as he held a man by his collar. "WELL!?" He shouted. "YES! YES! OVER THERE AT THE ONE-EYED BOWMAN!" He shouted in fear. "Why, thank ye very much, you're quite the tour guide, say mind joining me for a drink? No? Well fine then, be off on your way!" The man spoke as he pushed the frightened man aside. Something tells Duergen that this man is already drunk and doesn't need anymore alcohol. Still a smile formed over his face as he recognized the surly old man. "In fact oi believe we jist foun' de perfect test." The Dwarf gave a sinister grin as he waved his hands. Without the man noticing it, a slip of old paper was pulled from his pocket. A piece of paper that was brought to Duergen's hands. "So de rumors are true! Well, oi nu sum people who 'ill be interested in knowin' dat." With that he began to chuckle as he wrote a message on a piece of paper and like before waved his hands as it traveled off to who knows where.

Duergen then looked towards the piece of paper. "Nigh ter put dis map were it needs ter be." Duergen spoke as he began to fiddle with his hands. Vilus watched on finishing his meal as Duergen put into motion, a night that is sure to be chaotic.