DEARDEN WALKS INTO THE TAVERN
Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2009 4:25 pm
Gentleman Dearden enters the Silver Rose in Midway, laden down with satchels overflowing with books. He sits down at the bar, and sets a stack of tomes to one side. Afterwards, he retrieves a handful of knucklebones from a pouch, tosses them on the table before him, and nods to himself. After putting the bones away, he opens one of his books and begins reading.
Day after day, Dearden returns to the same spot on the bench, and performs the same ritual before delving into his tomes. This continues for one week.
While deep within thought, like any other previous day, Dearden suddenly leaps up from his seat and faces the door to the tavern. A moment later it swings open, and a pair of muck smattered and haggard dwarves enter. One is dressed in thick plated armor that is covered in scratches and dents, and he carries a battleaxe and shield on his back. The second is an elderly dwarf with a white beard that stretches nearly to the floor. He carries a book in one hand, and a gnarled staff in the other. The moment they enter, Dearden walks over to greet them.
“Pal’nok and Elder Grogomir…welcome to Midway,” Dearden says, and he reaches out with a hand. The warrior, Pal’nok, stares at it for a moment, and then roughly shakes the gentleman’s hand before following him to a seat. “You have traveled far, now rest within the comfort of our tavern. Barkeep! A pair of dwarven ales for each of my friends.”
The dwarves thank Dearden and sit down. They make no effort to conceal their conversation, so anyone near can easily listen in. “We have heard the bell,” Pal’nok says, “and we will come to answer the summons. We will join our brethren to fight the coming darkness alongside them…”
The elder interrupts him. “It’s just that we’re…well…we’re stuck. No one remembers how to open the wall that protects our realm.”
Dearden grins. “And that is why you have come to me. You’re in luck that I spent nearly a year at Garrowbrook Academy studying ancient dwarven architecture, engineering, and lore. I’ve been looking into this wall of yours since we made contact, and I think I know how it can be opened.”
“Then we must return at once,” Pal’nok says. “What can we offer you for your service? This would be as great a deed as any have done for our kind. We have plenty of wealth, and would happily share it for a cause such as this.”
Dearden shakes his head and holds up a hand. “There is only one sort of wealth I am interested in, friends. I seek knowledge. Give me as many books as you can spare from your libraries, or give me access to them, and I will do everything in my power to see your wall opened.”
Pal’nok looks to Grogomir the elder, who nods. “Done,” Pal’nok says. “But you cannot refuse at least some gold as well.”
“Perhaps,” Dearden says. “And perhaps there are others that wish to share in the glory and wealth of this adventure, and they will not refuse your gold.” After speaking these words, Dearden steps up on to the bar, and addresses everyone within the tavern. “I have a quest that needs undertaking, and I cannot do it alone. I seek to venture into ancient dwarven ruins, where there will undoubtedly be as much danger as there is treasure. I am a simple scholar and can scarcely defend myself against such dangers. I will need brave adventurers to protect me, and to help solve the mysteries that we will encounter.” Dearden pauses, and looks around the room. He takes a moment to stare at each person there.
“These dwarves seek to be our allies. Let us extend one hand to welcome them, and another to lift our weapons and fight by their side.” Dearden waits a moment to let his words sink in. “And of course, beyond any rewards offered by these dwarves, I’ll be paying everyone that accompanies me a handsome sum of money. We will need as many as we can muster, so tell the others not present here, and gather your friends and your courage. We leave within the week.”
Dearden descends from the bar, and pays for a round of drinks to everyone there before returning to his conversation with the dwarves. He welcomes any to join his side that have questions for him, or that simply wish to offer their aid in his task.
Day after day, Dearden returns to the same spot on the bench, and performs the same ritual before delving into his tomes. This continues for one week.
While deep within thought, like any other previous day, Dearden suddenly leaps up from his seat and faces the door to the tavern. A moment later it swings open, and a pair of muck smattered and haggard dwarves enter. One is dressed in thick plated armor that is covered in scratches and dents, and he carries a battleaxe and shield on his back. The second is an elderly dwarf with a white beard that stretches nearly to the floor. He carries a book in one hand, and a gnarled staff in the other. The moment they enter, Dearden walks over to greet them.
“Pal’nok and Elder Grogomir…welcome to Midway,” Dearden says, and he reaches out with a hand. The warrior, Pal’nok, stares at it for a moment, and then roughly shakes the gentleman’s hand before following him to a seat. “You have traveled far, now rest within the comfort of our tavern. Barkeep! A pair of dwarven ales for each of my friends.”
The dwarves thank Dearden and sit down. They make no effort to conceal their conversation, so anyone near can easily listen in. “We have heard the bell,” Pal’nok says, “and we will come to answer the summons. We will join our brethren to fight the coming darkness alongside them…”
The elder interrupts him. “It’s just that we’re…well…we’re stuck. No one remembers how to open the wall that protects our realm.”
Dearden grins. “And that is why you have come to me. You’re in luck that I spent nearly a year at Garrowbrook Academy studying ancient dwarven architecture, engineering, and lore. I’ve been looking into this wall of yours since we made contact, and I think I know how it can be opened.”
“Then we must return at once,” Pal’nok says. “What can we offer you for your service? This would be as great a deed as any have done for our kind. We have plenty of wealth, and would happily share it for a cause such as this.”
Dearden shakes his head and holds up a hand. “There is only one sort of wealth I am interested in, friends. I seek knowledge. Give me as many books as you can spare from your libraries, or give me access to them, and I will do everything in my power to see your wall opened.”
Pal’nok looks to Grogomir the elder, who nods. “Done,” Pal’nok says. “But you cannot refuse at least some gold as well.”
“Perhaps,” Dearden says. “And perhaps there are others that wish to share in the glory and wealth of this adventure, and they will not refuse your gold.” After speaking these words, Dearden steps up on to the bar, and addresses everyone within the tavern. “I have a quest that needs undertaking, and I cannot do it alone. I seek to venture into ancient dwarven ruins, where there will undoubtedly be as much danger as there is treasure. I am a simple scholar and can scarcely defend myself against such dangers. I will need brave adventurers to protect me, and to help solve the mysteries that we will encounter.” Dearden pauses, and looks around the room. He takes a moment to stare at each person there.
“These dwarves seek to be our allies. Let us extend one hand to welcome them, and another to lift our weapons and fight by their side.” Dearden waits a moment to let his words sink in. “And of course, beyond any rewards offered by these dwarves, I’ll be paying everyone that accompanies me a handsome sum of money. We will need as many as we can muster, so tell the others not present here, and gather your friends and your courage. We leave within the week.”
Dearden descends from the bar, and pays for a round of drinks to everyone there before returning to his conversation with the dwarves. He welcomes any to join his side that have questions for him, or that simply wish to offer their aid in his task.