Episode Two: The Covered Canyon; Story

The world is indeed a strange place. Adventurous souls traverse dangerous areas in the name of living life to its fullest.

An dry morning arose in the city of Maria. On its far east edge sat a bar known as the Whispering Serpent. A lone scout named Dolcetto Kessig sat outside asleep in his cart awaiting the time appointed for his next job to begin. He was awoken by Zakhar and the two began to converse outside the bar until they were arrived upon by Rafael. The three of them decided to take their conversation inside the bar and they sat together introducing themselves while drinking ale. An innocuous man slept at the bar top.

Caldear encountered Allesandra and attempted to strike up conversation as he parked his cart, only for her to ignore his words and continue into the bar, situating herself alone. Caldear was invited to join the table of the other adventurers and the morning waxed on. The sound of an approaching caravan drew everyone's attention to the door as the cloaked gypsy whom had hired them entered the bar greeting the all of them. She introduced herself as Noroyle, and awoke the man at the bar whom awoke with a jump, and a smile. He, "Sancho", too would travel with the group.

Their journey started off well enough as they all conversed with one another until the group encountered an argument being held just outside of the mountain pass they were set to traverse through. A tribe of Ibixians, and a tribe of Armands had come to a impasse concerning an accident that had occurred which resulted in the death of the Armand tribe leader's daughter. Noroyle wished to continue, however the tribes would not allow passage through the field before their dispute was settled. Zakhar frustrated with the situation he felt inane watched as Sancho demonstrated his prowess with the knives he had hidden under the covering of his horse. Zakhar was not amused. After realizing that the conflict had come about due to an accident, rather than malicious intent, Dolcetto relayed his own experience with familial loss to the Armand chief and the situation was peacefully resolved. Seeming distant after dredging up old memories, Dolcetto was unwilling to talk with Allesandra afterwards when she attempted to comfort him. With their path clear and group headed into the mountains. During the night the group saw what they believed to be a small creature.

The next day they continued through the mountain pass, as guided by Dolcetto and Rafael. The group encountered a strange merchant, who requested a favor of them. He asked that they deliver a weathered book, which seemed to be written in gibberish, to a man named Noyan Lerr Brett in the city of Ardith to the south. The group agreed, however the tome seemed to have a strange effect on anyone whom would read it. It called to them to peer inside its unintelligible pages. The group thought nothing more of it than a prank and continued on with their journey. During the night, the small creature appeared again. Both Dolcetto and Rafael went to investigate it. Their search proved fruitless, however Rafael revealed to Dolcetto that he had once been a part of a gang known as “The Fast Hands ”, however he was trying to turn over a new leaf, since their disbanding. Dolcetto opened up to the former bandit telling him of how his wife had taken her own life in depression after their child had been stillborn. The pair grew closer through mutual understanding of their hardships.

The next day and the caravan came upon a Harpy prison yard. While they were passing through one prisoner was about to be executed. Sancho, however stopped the execution, provoking the guards. An altercation broke out between the two groups however, when Noroyle bribed the head guard they were allowed to pass with the prisoner in tow, despite Allesandra's protest of bringing the creature she considered evil along. Further in the canyon, the group once again encountered the small creature. It appeared to be a goblin with glowing yellow eyes. It insulted the group and began to climb the canyon wall. Chasing after it proved unwise, as when it reached the top it set off a landslide. Allesandra, Rafael and Zakhar were momentarily buried underneath the rubble. The landslide had also blocked the path that they intended to travel.

Rafael however, you all can alternate path that the group could travel. It would take them through the drow city of Agatha, underneath of the mountains. The path would be dangerous, however it would be faster than moving the rocks that had toppled. Trouble indeed met them as they encountered a roper which began to destroy their carts during the night. They eventually arrived in Agatha, where Noroyle realized she required additional supplies.

She sent Caldear and Rafael into a store in order to retrieve the supplies that she needed. Caldear accidentally revealed Rafael, whom had been attempting to conceal his identity due to “The Fast Hands” having robbed the drow of their crown jewels before their disbanding. The drow guard quickly seized the opportunity to incapacitate Rafael. Allessandra had been sent in by the ex-prisoner to obtain new clothes for her. Allessandra attempted to aid Rafael as Caldear went to get Dolcetto’s attention to calm the situation. Allessandra was over powered, and Dolcetto was unable to gain Rafael’s freedom. Rafael made one final weak call to Dolcetto. However the scout realized they could only exit the city without hazard for the group by leaving Rafael and walked out leaving behind the only person among the group he empathized with. Rafael’s called out to Dolcetto as he left "Go to Hell just like your worthless family!", and the bandit perished in the city as the caravan left without him.

Stricken with grief, Dolcetto pushed on silently into the morning leaving the caves. Arriving outside the group encountered a strange cloaked man whom demanded that had him over their cargo. Noroyle removed her cloak to reveal herself as Caroline Kathe Coen and whistled to her trusted dog Infus. The man dropped his guise, revealing himself as Ranfed Niho. Ranfed and his men faced off against the caravan, however Ranfed’s men had been enraptured by the voice of the Harpy prisoner making the fight all too one sided. Caroline captured Ranfed and the group continued on to their destination the following night. The group had arrived in time for the Kulorei festival held to honor the coming of the Fall season. The group better for the wear would later continue on its journey southward to deliver the book to Noyan.