Trial by Fire

The Stormkeepers
A majestic and forbidding sight for a hundred miles, these massive peaks are snow-capped year-round, and house the endless mines and tunnels of stout peoples.

This area has been largely unaffected by the Bloodwing War, too remote and too rugged to be invaded, fought over, or threatened by usurpers... a timeless realm of solid stone and unyielding cold...and yet a familiar phrase passes among the people - "For the Crown"

You find yourself in Rivergate, just below the Stormkeepers. It’s a typical afternoon. All of you are walking down a Rivergate alleyway, hoping for cold ales and tall tales for the night. Your breath comes out in puffs of clouds as you conversate in a jovial jaunt to The Frothy Mare.

Suddenly, right in your path, a wooden door collapses into the street in a plume of smoke and embers! An old woman emerges in a panic. ‘The children are trapped! Help!’ She collapses from the smoke and heat. No one else is around to help, what will you do?

The old lady looks up at Gretel. She is an aged Halfling, bright blue eyes, white hair in a braid, with wrinkles that bespeak wisdom. "I tried to stop it, but it was just too much and I was trapped! Out the door or burn. My lungs are still filled with smoke...cough, cough, cough."

The rest of you quickly find the 3 children, the old lady assures you that there were only three as Jormund returns after sounding the alarm. He tells you that men are coming with buckets.

All of you have made progress to stop the flames, and the children are safely in the alleyway, shielded from the smoke and fire.

Then a human-shaped mass of flames leaps forth, challenging all of you with aggressive bursts of heat!
Phase 1!

Merik hammers the Flame Kin hard enough to stun the creature!

Filbur is up next!

The Flame Kin is a little less "Flamy" since it's taken a beating and has not been able to retaliate!

The round is always in Phases.
You can choose a different phase every round.
Your attack last round, also stunned the creature, It lasted 2 phases, so that's already done.
New round, New phases.

I hope that helps

Round 2
Phase 1 Gretel, Marik
Phase 2: Flame Kin
Phase 3: Filbur
Phase 4: Flame Kin
Phase 5: Jormund


Note:
On a Turn: When your phase arrives, you can do ONE of the following...

• Make a 6" move
• Perform an action, attack, or cast a spell
• Hurry to perform an action AND move. Enemies gain +5 ATK against you for the ensuing round
• Small, arm’s-length side-step movements, talking, or consuming edibles take no time.

Marik slams the Fire Kin once more, extinguishing the creature at last!

A crowd has gathered at a distance and a cheer goes up when the Flame Kin is no more.

The house is need of repair, but the woman and her children have been embraced by her nearby neighbors who have offered to take her and her family in until the repairs are done.

The Lady looks at Jormund. "I don't really know. I just jumped out of the cookfire," she says

Another man with an empty bucket looks at Jormund. "Excuse me sir Dwarf, but there have been rumors of something going on in the mines. Maybe that has something to do with this," he says.

Another man joins him, as smoke from the dying ashes billows in the breeze. "Don't believe everything you hear sir Dwarf. This one's always ramblin' on about con speersy theerys. I'd head down to the Frothy Mare and grab a mug if I were you," he says as he drags his companion with a grin. They both seem like they've known each other for a long time.
An older man, sitting by and watching the entire fiasco says, "Aye, he has the right of it," as he leans on a short staff that's shoulder heighth. "Heroes today, forgotten tomorrow. Rivergate keeps moving, just like the river itself." He strokes his beard and grins. He takes a pull from the pipe in hand and blows smoke rings into the sky.

On a street corner as you wend your way through the streets of Rivergate, two zealots stand next to a white washed sign that reads:
Verinax Comes!
Below the text is a painting of a white dragon.

One of the zealots squats and bangs a flat drum, at the edge of the building; and, the other has a pamphlet, which most are reluctant to accept. He shouts, "Varinax the White Dragon will come soon! And all who do not bow to her will be doomed to face her wrath!" He goes on and on as you pass by.

You see the sign just a half a block away, "The Frothy Mare".

You enter a boisterous tavern. Smoke and the smell of roasted food and fresh bread assials you as well as various other sights and sounds. A minstrel group is playing a gay tune as you find an empty table. You see the menu under a coat of varnish on the table itself.

THE FROTHY MARE TAVERN
Rivergate’s Oldest Fire, Warmest Meal, and Sharpest Gossip
✦ HOUSE FARE ✦
(3 Silver)
A traveler’s table, set with what the Stormkeepers provide.
Huggins’s Stew
A thick bowl of root vegetables, barley, and the day’s hunt. Served with dark bread.
Dagger‑Edge Pottage
Lentils, onions, and herbs simmered to a creamy warmth. Said to "keep the cold from creeping in." Miner’s Skillet
Fried potatoes, wild mushrooms, and smoked pork tossed with cracked pepper.
Hearth‑Baked Loaf & Soft Cheese
Fresh bread with a mild, spreadable cheese and pickled roots.
✦ SPECIALTIES OF THE HOUSE ✦
(5 Silver)
Prepared when the larder is full and the roads are safe.
Boar‑Haunch with Blackthorn Glaze
Slow-roasted boar brushed with a tart berry reduction.
River‑Poacher’s Trout
Pan‑seared trout seasoned with lemon‑sage salt, served with roasted turnips.
"Old Stones" Shepherd’s Pie
Lamb and vegetables beneath a browned potato crust.
✦ WINTER BOARD ✦
(2 Silver)
For nights when the wind howls down from the Stormkeepers.
Frost‑Hearth Chowder
Creamy potatoes, smoked fish, and cracked pepper.
Ember‑Roasted Carrots & Honeyed Nuts
A sweet, earthy dish to brighten the bleak season.
Braised Venison with Mulled Wine Jus
Tender venison simmered in spiced wine.


✦ DRINKS OF THE MARE ✦
Ales & Beers
(2 Silvers)
Rivergate Dark — malty, smoky
Old Road Amber — crisp, bitter
Witchlight Wheat — pale, citrus notes


Spirits
(3 Silvers)
Dragonbite Whiskey — sharp, warming
Miner’s Rum — dark, molasses-heavy
Storm‑Hollow Brandy — smooth, faintly floral


Wines
(3 Silvers)
Gatefall Reserve (Red) — dry, earthy
Widow’s Orchard (Red) — sweet plum
Lanternlight White — crisp, herbal


Inn Rates
10 Silver a night for a room with 2 beds upstairs.
5 for the Commons

Before you can order, you see a young lad pointing you out to an older gentleman. The man hands the boy a few farthings and heads over to your table. "You must be the ones who vanquished that Flame Kin. I have something for you," he says and tosses a few small pouches onto the table, one for each of you. You hear the disctinct sound of coin within.
"In there is enough to cover your meal and a night here at the Mare. My thanks to you for handling that creature. They've been a nuisance lately so there is reward for your efforts. I'm with the Mining Regent, so if you'll forgive me, I've a damnable thirst for an Ale. And an eye for Svenka over there," he winks and heads over to a plump blonde woman with a cherubic smile. The crowd parts and closes like a curtain as he leaves for "fairer pastures."

The man looks at Filbur.
"That's Wheat. He's one of those what works at the Mining Regent - a coalition. They make sure the mines flow and business gets done. They run Rivergate lad, don't be daft," he says and orders another round for your table.

The Mare starts to get boisterous after a few hours and there is much singing and raucous laughter. A game of Thieves and Wizards has already started a few tables down. You hear the dice rolling and more than few "Oh!"s and "Ah"s. The barmaids are slightly scandalous, but do not tolerate any "hands on" attention. Your meal is exceptional and twilight is near when you notice you have been drinking more than you should have, but the rounds keep coming at no charge to you.

You find yourselves unacustomed to the potency of the local brews and soon retire for the evening. The next day you are awakened by a knock on your door. Bleary eyed, you manage to see a pair shadowy feet leaving and just below the crack you see a slip of paper.

It's a note:

Your presence is requested for a luncheon at the behest of Lady Walcrest.
Dress is semi-formal and puncuality is of utmost importance.

There is a wax seal of a W with lavish flourish motif at the bottom.

You look out the window. It is another slate gray sky and hard to tell what time of day it is, but a cathedral bell tolls in the distance and you hear 10 bells. You consider for a moment how much time it will take to find the Walcrest mansion and the right clothes to make an impression. You have about two hours to get ready to meet with the Lady Walcrest...

A courier arrives at the Frothy Mare. He has a parcel for "a pair of adventurers - namely one Filbur and Jormund" he says and drops the parcel on the bar for Barmm the Tavern Proprieter and general barkeep. He looks at you and says, "Well, well. Looks like you've drawn the attention of Lady Walcrest. I can tell by the seal on the package. These aren't the sort of parcels dropped off by Workle's Wares or Katy the Fence. Aye, this bodes well for ye both. For the Crown mates!"

The customers only hear "For the Crown" and they lift their flagons, "For the Crown!" and take big swigs of ale.

You open the package and find a set of clothing for each of you, to include shoes.

You arrive at a very luxurious house. The doorman, with white gloves, looks at you as if you were somthing he scraped off his foot, however, he nods and says, "I assume you are here to see Lady Walcrest. I hope the tailor was able to follow my explicit directions. Your fit should be near perfect - including your footwear. Please, come in and follow me."

He leads you down corridor after corridor, giving you information about the history of the "edifice", which of course is an "abridged version" since he explains he doesn't have time to dally. He finally brings you into a dining room with a long table. One side is set for two with chairs faicing each other. Two more servants, also wearing white gloves, pull your chairs as you are seated. "My name is Neb-Kadjer, you may call me Mr. Neb. Today's fair is roasted pheasant with plum jelly sauce and black rice. This first dish is an amuse bouche to tease your appetites. Hummingbird tongue sauted in honey and amaretto mead. Please enjoy," says the doorman as two older women serve you small dishes with a silver forks slightly longer than your middle finger.

This goes on for 5 courses, the fifth being the pheasant and black rice. All of the food and drinks are decadent and made to perfection. Once you are done, you are asked to meet with Lady Walcrest on the terrace. You are taken to a large room with an open deck that leads out over a manicured garden. Below you can see a maze made of shrubbery and several fountains and pools linked by narrow waterways and a stone path connected with bridges over the canals. Lady Walcrest sits in a hooded chair drinking tea as she gazes out over the garden. She see you and smiles. She is an older woman of about 35 with blond hair, sky blue eyes and the look of aristocracy about her. She is very much a woman of grand beauty and elegance.
"Hello my dears, I hope the luncheon was adequate. I have had a very stressful morning, but all is well. Please sit my dears. I have a proposal, but please tell me how you vanquished the fire demon. Neb-Kadjer tells me you are all the talk in lower Rivergate," she says with a smile that would make most men weak in the knees. She holds out her hand in greeting.

It's as if she were living vicariously through the imagery and the story as you tell it. "How thrilling! Oh my. Such bravery! Bravo! Bravo!" she gathers herself though she is still smiles, it seems to disapear almost as soon as it appeared. She sits up, with her back straight and her eyes upon yours.

"There is a reason I've requested your presence. I have a task for you if you choose to take it. In return, you will each recieve an emeral coin upon completion. The task is to escort my niece, Agni, is to be transported by wagon to the high crags of Storm Point Asylum. The poor girl’s mind is eroding by the day. She is to be under constant care, kept in irons, and delivered to the high alchemist of Storm Point: the honorable Erasmus Fane. Once she is securely housed, with arranged accommodations, payment will be made upon your swift return. I will also offer a retainer, a fighting man named Harl, as help. What say you brave fellows? You have a few moments to confer," she rises and says, "I will be in the study. I await your decision within the next few moments." She leaves you alone on the terrace, overlooking the garden.

"Very well then," says the Lady, "an emerald coin when you return from escorting my niece, Agni, to the Storm Point Asylum and into the hands of the high alchemist, the honorable Erasmus Fane. I will send one of my men with you, Harl - a fighting man of good repute, and my Houseman shall see you off in the morning at daybreak," and extends her hand to shake yours. The handshake is a binding deal in Rivergate, as long as there is a witness. You realize this as you look at the Houseman, he is watching every detail.