Legacy of the Scarlet Wyrm - Chapter One

[Kogan]

Legacy of the Scarlet Wyrm
Chapter One - The Sunless Citadel

Ages past, people would tell stories of a proud fortress south of the Dragon Coast, rumored to be the stronghold of a cult dedicated to an ancient dragon. Centuries ago, the entire fortress sunk below the earth and into a deep ravine. Rechristened The Sunless Citadel, its echoing halls now house all manner of malign creatures and dark secrets. An evil, long thought defeated has taken root within the fortress, the goblins and kobolds warring for dominion oblivious to what lies within the citadel's core.

It is only a tenday before the feast of midsummer and you have been traveling for more than a month already when you come across the sleepy village of Oakhurst. The dusty trail that the locals call the New Road winds through the settlement and the midsummer sun dips low in the sky. As you reach the village you can see the townsfolk going about their business as they shut up shop for the day, hurrying to get out of the oppressive heat, children running around playing as their harassed looking parents try to round them up. Smoke still billows from the local blacksmith's and lively music and the smell of hot food wafts from the inn.

[Ninmast]

Samson took in a deep breath as he eyed the little village ahead. He always loved seeing new villages. It always meant new lasses, usually in the tavern, which he now headed toward, his two-bladed sword resting neatly against his shoulder as he whistled a happy tune, imagining topheavy bar wenches just waiting to serve him ale and listen to his stories.

[Kogan]

The local inn is called the Ol' Boar Inn and is already full of customers, people drinking and relaxing after a hard days work. In the corner furthest from the door was a small stage, a young half elven bard seated upon a stool as he played for the patrons, a small crowd around him listening to a rowdy song about a thief, a dragon and a princess. In one corner drinking from a silver flagon was an aged dwarf his dark beard streaked with grey, his muscular arms left bare and covered in burns.

Behind the bar was a large gruff human with a full beard and dark eyes. He was busy cleaning some mugs but set down the cloth and glass he held as the young fighter entered, approaching the bar he spoke. "Welcome to me inn traveler, what can Ol' Garon get for you?"

[Ninmast]

Samson smiled brightly at the greeting bartender as he moved over to the bar, his eyes taking in the stock of the tavern and secretly disappointed at the lack of the fairer sex. "How about an ale and the asking price for a room and we'll see how it goes from there?"

[Kogan]

Garon nodded and turned away from the bar, grabbing a glass he placed it under the tap for the barrel and pulled. The foaming amber liquid spilled into the glass and filled it to the brim.

Setting it down and wiping away the spilled liquid he spoke "That's five copper for the ale and another five silver for a room for the night. If you want a meal it's another three silver for a bowl of chicken broth and some bread."

[Ninmast]

"Sounds like a deal," the fighter agreed as he dug out the eight and a half silver and placed it on the counter. "Know anything about the Sunless Citadel?"

[Kogan]

Garon swept the coins into his hand and pocketed them, nodding his head in thanks. He frowned as the youngster mentioned the citadel. "I dunno what you heard about that place." He spoke gruffly, "But it brings nothin' but ill." He looked around the room and saw no customers so decided to indulge the young 'hero'. "They say, it used to be the temple for an ancient cult that worshiped a terrible red wyrm. One day, it just sank into a huge crevice that opened below it. Whole citadel, gone overnight."

"The old road that runs through town used to run right past the place, but no-one's went there for a while now." The barkeep growled slightly, "not since those damn goblins began killin' travelers and poachin' game." shaking his head he turned to go back to work, but stopped and faced Samson. "If you do plan on headin' to the citadel, you'd best speak to Mrs. Hucrele, one of the local merchants. She's lookin' for would-be heroes to go down there and find her son an' daughter, they've been missin' about a month now and I'm sure she'd be more than happy to reward you for any information you might have."

[Ninmast]

Samson nodded in understanding at appropriate parts. Ancient cult that worshiped a wyrm. Odds were, both were long dead. Goblins moving in, could be a decent warm-up to whet his blades with, and he could free up the road and make life easier on the locals besides.

Then there was a mention of Mrs. Hucrele. He doubted she was much of a looker, of course, not with two kids of adventuring age, but if he was going that way anyway - and he was - then it'd be his duty to help out a damsel in distress, even if it is an old one. And besides, that daughter might still be alive.

As the barkeep finished, Samson nodded one more time. "And where might I find Mrs. Hucrele?"

[Kogan]

The barkeep saw the glint in Samson's eyes and smiled to himself, remembering his old adventuring days. "Mrs. Hucrele? She's not far, just along the road in fact." He looked around, "Although, if you're planning on going to the citadel, might be a good idea to bring some friends." Garon nodded as another customer walked in and left to serve him, "Your food'll be ready soon friend, Marianna will bring it to your table."

[Ninmast]

Samson nodded to Garon as he headed toward the door. "Mark the table with my mug, will you? I'm going to go try to catch her before she heads in for the night."

[Kogan]

Garon nodded and set the glass down on one of the tables near the back and placed a sign marked "Reserved" beside it. "Make sure you get back before your meal gets cold, I don't offer refunds."

[ketaro]

(Whoops)

Not even a minute passing upon his arrival in Oakhurst did Ruthek find himself eagerly looking out for sign of the local inn. A crowded inn was the perfect place to begin the first stages of information gathering, hopefully information of the getting into danger kind; it'd been a very boring bit of travel for him getting here.

[Kogan]

Garon looked up as the llumian entered the inn. Setting down the glass he was drying he approached the bar. "Good evenin'" He nodded his head. "What can I get for ye?"

[ketaro]

Ruthek perked up at the innkeeper's greeting and smiled at him. "Some interesting, or unusual, or dangerous, morsels of information on something I believe is called...a Citadel of the Sun? No that doesn't sound right. Sunny Citadel. No. Some sort of Citadel around these parts. Too many thoughts to sift through at the moment. A room. I'll go for one of those as well. What do you serve to eat here? Ah nevermind, I'm not really hungry anyways. Can wait till breakfast. Any rooms available, by the way?"

[Kogan]

The middle-aged innkeeper was a bit taken aback by the Illumian's mannerisms. It was as if he had twice as much to say but no time. "Calm down friend and try breathing between sentences." He laughed lightly and continued, "First things first, a room will cost you five silver pieces, a meal of chicken broth will sting you three silver and a flagon of ale will cost five coppers." He began putting away some of the glasses he'd just cleaned. "and the place you're looking for, is the Sunless Citadel."

((OOC:Sorry it took so long, been busy with college work, getting towards the end of the school year and doing last minute revision/assessments etc))