As he approached the Inn, the adventurer faced some internal questions regarding how he would approach the welcome reception at the Inn. He feels that he has not recovered that well from his first delve in the mysterious caves, and that he is not ready to lead groups of strangers anyway. He is not comfortable with his leadership skills, and even with his magical amulet granting him powerful helping fight, he worries about dangers others with ill intent may pose to him. The adventurer is a seasoned man, he has been around this world for quite some time on his own and he knows trust needs to be earned.
In fact, trust in companions is something he will need if he wants to explore these caves safely. He will do his best to gather his reliable companions that he likes to call friends; he will never betray those who trust him, he likes to think. The adventurer hopes they won't be disappointed with his news.
But first, he needs come to the inn located at the Royal Road as inconspicuously as possible so as to not attract unwanted attention. He finds a lonely tree with high bushes all around it, covered in snow, more or less near the inn. The adventurer hopes to safely hide it all now here now, and come later at night to retrieve it to a safer place as yet to be decided. He stashes his sack with treasure, his long coat and his leather armor, along with all weapons except his longsword in this hiding spot. After this, seeing that there was nobody nearby, he approaches the inn through the backdoor, looking carefully if there was anyone around. There wasn't.
The adventurer enters the Inn in silence and avoids everyone, going straight to his humble accommodations. In the small room, with two double-decker beds and only a small window, semi-closed because of the winter cold, he finds his trusted companions. They are surprised by his stealthy arrival, they didn't even hear him coming until he opened the door. At the sight of friendly company after a hard day, his mood instantly improves.
"
Well, I see we're all safe and sound," says the adventurer with a chuckle. "
How did you end up here?" He sees his three warrior friends sitting in chairs on one side of the small room: Fridiger the giant, Erdebred your beloved cousin, and Alphius the mischievous.
The three men look at each other and laugh. "
We have been waiting for you since early afternoon!" exclaims Fridiger.
"
I don't know what happened to you after we parted ways," continues Erdebred, "
but you sure took your sweet time getting back."
"
It was a bit hectic," replies the adventurer, "
as soon as we got in the caves, we found another group of strangers already there, and..."
"
We got the message from the Innkeeper, Captain Marcus, telling us that you were going with the local guide to explore the region." interrupts Alphius, "
We knew we needed to get to you fast, especially when he told us that he knows of men who have died adventuring with that guide. We wanted to help, but...we couldn't. There was no one here to guide us to the cave entrances. That's why we stuck around waiting for you. We thought you might have gone to the Mysterious Caves, which are supposed to be full of treasures. So we tried asking around more, to no success."
"
We asked the locals about the caves and they said they haven't heard anything about them for months. And the old man in the manor down south told us he doesn't know much about them either," adds Fridiger.
"
What do you mean, 'no one knows much about them?'" asks the adventurer, his face suddenly serious.
"
Well, just that they are known as mysterious caves, but people don't know much about them. The locals know they exist and that is about it," explains Fridiger.
"
They are said to contain great riches and powerful weapons, including magical ones," says Alphius with a grin.
"
And some say that there is an entrance to some unknown underground place that connects to the caves," adds Erdebred. "
That would explain how those strangers came to the area, perhaps they discovered that entrance and followed it deeper inside the caverns."
"
You've done your research, I'll give you that," says the adventurer with a smile. "
But I think there is something else that will help with the explanation," concludes the adventurer. "
After talking with Dignugget, the elder gnome, he showed me some kind of magical orb in the caves that shows distant places, which he uses to help find the locations of the treasure he's looking for."
His three companions look at each other with blank expressions. They seem confused by this revelation.
"
A gnome?" asks Erdebred. "
What do you mean a gnome?"
"
An Elder Gnome?" repeats Fridiger. "
That sounds like a legend to me. How can it be real?"
"
Oh, yes, of course," replies the adventurer. "He's the gnome who lives in the caves. I think he's an elder gnome, though I never met any gnomes before." The three friends are still astonished at the news.
"
I've seen him myself," continues the adventurer "
and he told me to give him a lot of coins and gems, and he promised to show me where to find the most valuable treasures in the caves. I gave him a good chunk of I had after men and the guide Cael got rid of the strangers earlier. He said that if I helped him with his magic orb that would show me distant places, I'd get even more coins and gems. He gifted me with this magic amulet that changes my skin into protective barksin has proved very useful when fighting disgusting undead in the cave."
"
But why would a gnome need our help?" wonders Alphius, always the skeptical. "
Why does he want to show us distant places?"
"
Because he wants to make maps of the caves," explains the adventurer. "
And he needs our help to do that. He looks too old and fragile to do it all by himself. With the help of this gnome, I think it will be possible for us."
"
I don't see how it matters whether we help him or not," says Alphius. "
We came here for treasure, remember? Why should we give him our treasure just because he asked for it?"
"
Because he's a gnome," answers the adventurer. "
He's really old and wise. He might have been alive when the ancient gnomes lived in these caves. If he can show us where all the great treasures are hidden, then we'll be rich beyond our wildest dreams."
"
But he doesn't seem very friendly," complains Erdebred.
"
At least you might get a magical amulet out of the deal," reminds the adventurer. "
And I don't see anything wrong with getting richer. Rich men always make good friends. If we become rich, then we won't need to sell ourselves into the slavery of mercenary work or having to pledge our lives to some noble."
The three adventurers look at each other again, considering the proposal. It seems that they are all pleased with the idea of getting rich quickly.
"
Deal!" confirms Fridiger.
"
Deal!" echoes Alphius.
"
Deal!" agrees Erdebred.
***
After the discussion, the four friends decide to go downstairs to the heated dining hall and eat their meals quietly so as to not attract unwanted attention. The adventurer is particularly tired of the exertion he's done on this day. After dinner, they decide to get a good night of sleep, but as they're headed to the stairs, the adventurer is approached by the innkeeper, who asks to talk to him in private.
"
Thank you, my friend," starts the innkeeper. "
I hope you understand that you are a guest here. You are not obligated to stay in your room. But please know that the inn is a place of rest and refuge for weary travelers. We are a community based on trust and mutual respect. I must ask you to refrain from doing things that might disturb the peace of our guests."
"
Yes, sir," replies the adventurer. "
You can count on me. I'm sorry if I've disturbed anyone."
"
Well, one of my sons saw you around sunset entering the back door without any clothing protection from the cold. I find that suspicious considering it was pretty cold late in the afternoon. Add to that, you returned from your guided visit to the caves alone. Can you tell me where is Cael, the guide?"
"
I am sorry, but he..." begins the adventurer.
"
Answer my question, Sir," interrupts the innkeeper.
"
...he's joined with Dagda," says the adventurer.
"
Dagda? His god? You mean he's dead?"
"
He got killed during a fight with strangers. There were three of them, they were bandits, they still attacked us. We fought the bandits in the caves and Cael died protecting my life."
"
Bandits, eh?" mutters the innkeeper. "
That's interesting..." he muses. "
We don't have many bandits around here in a long time."
"
What's going on, man?" demands the adventurer. "
Is there a problem?"
"
Nope, no problem at all, my friend," replies the innkeeper. "
It's just that it took us by surprise, the news about Cael. I never expected him to be killed and that you would return alone... It's a bit odd that you didn't mention it to me first, when you arrived. But I guess it doesn't matter now."
"
What do you mean by that?" asks the adventurer.
"
Oh, come on, Sir! Don't be so naive. You know we're in a small Inn like this, right? Everybody knows everybody else. And what is going on here? What happened in the caves? It seems you don't want to share it with anyone other than your friends upstairs."
"
I don't, Captain, that's for me and mine alone," answers the adventurer, trying to calm down. "
but it's true that Cael was killed. I couldn't find his body though."
"
Why didn't you say anything?" asks the innkeeper, a bit agitated. "
Also, I told my son not to let strangers into the back rooms. But he was scared of you."
"
Sorry, Captain," apologizes the adventurer. "
I forgot."
"
Yeah, I guess you did," comments the innkeeper. "
Well, I won't charge you extra, but you have to promise not to do it again. I'll give you some free drinks and food, but I need you to keep quiet about Cael being killed. I'll pass down the news carefully to his friends and what's left of his family."
"
Of course, Captain," replies the adventurer. "
It wasn't intentional."
"
Good," says the innkeeper.
***
Winter morning in Cradle Valley, in the outskirts of the Inn, at the tree and nearby bushes where the adventurer hid his belongings the day before. It's the following day of the cave delve and the adventurer is trying to assess the loot, maybe lend the money to a companion if they need to buy equipment for the next delve.
The adventurer woke up at dawn before his friends and he went downstairs to eat breakfast alone. He is also thinking of selling some of the items from treasure he acquired. The amulet, given to him by the gnome and enchanted with the Barksin spell. That one is worth quite a lot, he thinks. He doesn't want to get rid of it, but he has to think of his companions first. He looks at the weapons he's got, and he has to make sure he gets a fair price for his goods.
The adventurer makes some calculations in his head and decides to sell the elegant longsword, the mace, the other dagger but keep Cael's pointy dagger. He can easily afford buying more gear provided he find sellers. He knows the Inn has merchants and some traders' tents. Maybe they are selling anything of interest? The adventurer also decides on selling the copper and silver rings, even the one with the white gem, even as he feels he might not get a good price on them. He's not so sure about what to do with the golden necklace with the crowned wolf head, much less with Cael's holy symbol.
The adventurer still has no idea how to prepare himself for the next delve into the caves, but he knows it will happen soon, next day morning. He is also wondering whether the gnome will allow him to use the crystal ball again or has he changed his mind. He wonders if he should risk the gnome's wrath by going back to explore and ignoring the gnome's help.
The adventurer puts on his padded shirt, leather jacket and long coat and heads back to the part of the Inn where he saw traders' tents the day before, with some degree of discretion. A merchant from the north approaches the adventurer and offers him a deal on his goods and tells him about the trading market at the town of Stonebridge nearby. The adventurer agrees and asks if there are any weapons available and is told there are a few pieces of armor and weapons being sold. No magic items, unfortunately.
The merchant takes the adventurer to a tent at the edge of the camp, where an older man is sitting in front of a table covered with several weapons, mostly swords, maces and daggers. There are also shields, bows and a few pouches and bags. He buys some cheap pouches and bags to give to his friends, but decides against flooding the market with his other odd items, namely the necklace, rings and Cael's holy symbol. He tells the merchants he will back later in the afternoon. He leaves his used longsword with them to be cleaned and sharpened.
After that, he goes back to the hidden spot and further conceals his loot. Then the adventurer goes back to the Inn, where Fridiger and Erdebred meet him after finishing their breakfast.
"
I'm surprised you're willing to sell your weapons," Fridiger said. "
If I'm not mistaken, we are in a dangerous place?"
The adventurer nods. "
Yes." Fridiger has his own longsword, shield and bow.
"It would be better to have some money for provisions and just in case." Fridiger smiles and adds, "
You know, food tastes delicious when you haven't eaten for three days."
Erdebred nods. He's got his broadsword, shield and helm. "
Hey cousin, consider buying yourself a shield for tomorrow. The account of the fights with undead and demonic voices has me extra worried."
"
Maybe," answers the adventurer with a smile. "
But I've been doing well using my longsword alone so far. We'll see, we'll see."
They all go outside and wait for Alphius, who finally comes out of the Inn. He has his sword and dagger in him. "
Hello, my damsels."
"
Let's go to the traders," cuts the adventurer, "
then we'll decide what to do."
"
Yeah, let's get the food and supplies and then rest for a while," replies Erdebred. "
We must be ready to head to the caves at dawn."
On the way to the traders' tents at the edge of the camp, they meet the younger merchant again, who invites them to a meal with him at noon. They accept the offer.
On the way, they notice that royal road patrol soldiers are cleaning their weapons and armor and putting them away carefully, as if they expect to use them at any moment. It worries the adventurers a little. The last thing they want is for the royal guard to interfere in their new delve tomorrow.
At the traders' tents, they buy a variety of food and provisions: salted meat, bread, dried fruit, cheese, honey, water, wine, tea, etc. They also pick up more cloth wraps for makeshift bandages. Most of the traders are friendly with the adventurers and tell them about the larger market at Stonebridge and offer them their services if they ever go there. This isn't on the interest of the adventurers so far.
After paying the cost of the food and provisions, the adventurers are invited for lunch at the tent of the merchants from the north. The older merchant's name is Malachias. He's a middle-aged man with short gray hair, wearing decent merchants' clothing. He invites them into his tent and introduces them to his wife, who is cooking. She prepares them a typical northern Arandian meal that reminds them of home.
The merchant tells them about his travels and his business. He shows them some other pieces of armor and weapons, including a few shields. The adventurer buys one, a round wooden shield reinforced with iron boss and rim. No one else is interested in buying more armor or weapons than they already brought in the voyage to Cradle Valley so they end up purchasing torches and ropes, but that's it.
They eat roasted venison and roast potatoes with onions and carrots. After the meal they talk a little more about a possible future business relation, then retire to their rooms in the Inn. It is hard for these warriors to tell if merchants are competent or trustworthy.
During the afternoon, the adventurer try to get as much info as possible about the cave from the locals, without being open about his own adventures. Unfortunately, no one seems to know anything useful. Some people say that there are many entrances to the cave, but no one really knows if this is true. Others say that there are other smaller caves in the area, but nobody has explored them yet. The adventurer talks to the patrol guards, but they don't know much about it either. When the adventurer asks if they ever been to the caves, the guards laugh and make fun of him.
Later the adventurer goes to the inn at night to sleep. Discreetly, he tries to get a feel if any of the guests at the inn are wizards or sorcerers, but he gives up after a while since there is no one openly flaunting their magic abilities. He can't do it on intuition alone, and doing anything else might attract unwanted attention, this day has been too indiscreet for his tastes already. He heads to the room.
The adventurer prays for Tyr to give him fortitude and bravery in the adventure tomorrow. He thinks he will need all his courage if he wants to survive.
***
The adventurer wakes before dawn, gets dressed quickly and leaves the inn through the front door. He's prepared everything he needs the night before. He finds the others already just outside the inn, standing under the light of the single torch, waiting for the sun to rise. The adventurers share a breakfast of bread and cheese with tea while they wait for the morning light. Everyone is quiet.
When the sun rises, the adventurers head up the hill. Using the map of the region he had found inside the caves, the adventurer leads them to the cavern entrance near the series of boulders that he marked two days before, this one is narrower than the original mouth-like one that your late guide Cael had taken you to. It is also closer to the gnome's chamber. The adventurer makes sure everyone is behind him. He hesitates before going in. Is this really what he wants to do or is there some he should be doing before? He feels unsure. What should he do? Should he talk with his companions about their plans for the day? Does he have time to spare to think it over first? Or should he go in immediately and see how it goes?
