[Game Thread] Prelude

[Hence the Fortres]

Ulfrick strode towards the front door of the door of the Stag Bay, when he stopped short at the curious look of the bouncer at the door. The man was staring at Ulfrick's chest, his head cocked to the side.

The savage stopped, then looked down, to see two half-broken arrow shafts sticking out of his cracked breastplate.

Ulfrick barked a laugh and brushed aside the bouncer's concern. "Nothing. Just a little meet up with some bandit bastards on the road." The bouncer shrugged, and stepped aside to let the hulking brute through.

He entered the bar, and a smile spread across his scarred and tattooed face at the sight of some old comrades.

"You sorry louts. Good to see you again. It appears that Helm has deemed fit for our paths to cross once more."

The brutish man pulled up a chair alongside his former adventuring partners. Then he turned and snapped at a passing wench, demanding a cup of their strongest spirit.

[Galadon]

This should be interesting. Since we have more experience since that last time.

[Tafratin]

"Well if it isn't the ...... Now what was I going to say? Oh yes, welcome Ulfrock, it's been a long time. Your just as rowdy as ever. Has any one heard of Thorvald? I miss the old boy." Now Slumk is feeling his drink. DRINK? "By the way Ulfrock the drink here is good but the food is not. Although it may be ok for you!" HA HA

[Hence the Fortres]

"Any food is good food, Slumk. Especially now, considering I've been on the trails for nigh a month, eating nothing but stale rations and mangy rabbits. And last time I saw Thorvald he was standing over that ogre we killed, covered in blood and guts."

The wench comes by the table again, and sets a rotted wooden tankard in front of the barbarian. Ulfrick picks it up, sniffs at it, then shrugs and downs the swill with a single chug.

[Pendaron]

It had been a long road. Thorvald paused to take a draught from his skin of ale. Before him stood the city of Everlund. It is strange where his travels took him. He hadn't intended to wind up here that is for sure.

However he had heard that Vintra might be in need of help. She had often helped his clan back in the day ... of course that was before. Before ... well, he couldn't dwell on what was past.

Cinching up his belt, and with a pat of his hammer , he headed for the gates of town. With a nod of acknowledgement to the guards he began to wind through the streets, until he stood before the doors to the Stag Bay. Not a place he would have chosen, but if what he had heard was true this is where he would find Vintra.

With one last sigh, he pushed through the doors, and took stock of what he saw in the common room. His glaze sweeping the room, a slight - or not so slight - groan erupted from his lips. It was him again. Why had Dumathoin seen fit to inflict the greenskin upon him again? Sighing, he approached the nearest serving girl, I'll take your largest mug of your stoutest ale. Eyeing the table where Slummk sat, he turned back to her and unless you want to wear yourself out with trips, you might want to bring a second while you're at it.

[Tafratin]

Slumk sees a short man enter The Stag at Bay and head to the bar. He turned and their eyes locked on to each other. "Thorvald is here." he said softly. From the look in his eye Thorvald must still have a grudge when it comes to Orc's. They did kill his father after all.
Slumk waves to him, indicating he is welcome to join the groups table. If their is a more stubborn race then the dwarfs, it was unknown to Slumk. Thorvald however was an excellent fighter and a good one to have on your side.
Standing up Slumk gives a small bow and in a loud voice..."All hail Thorvald, the slayer of any that defy him. The man with a big heart, and a belly to match!"

[Galadon]

Galadon started to sniff the air without looking up. Hmmm, Thorvald is here

Smiling Galadon looks up and waves at Thorvald.

[Tafratin]

"It looks like the old group is together again. SO a toast, to our future! May we be as successful as we have in the past. I am sure with Thorvald's leadership our lives are safe and our purses will be full. TO OUR SUCCESS!" Slumk finishes his drink and summons the serving wench for another round. Making sure Thorvald gets two tankards. Slumk reaches down and pats Thorvald gently on the head. "I say little man, do you plan to grow up someday? Then we could practice our skills together." With that Slumk sits down with a smile, chuckling softly to himself.

[Galadon]

We have to find a place later to for eatting, there was a farm near the town where we can get Ulfrick a cow for evening meal. Shall we kill the cow and cook it for you Ulfrick or just knock the horns off wipe its ass and put it on the table?

Galadon said laughing while drinking more ale.

[Hence the Fortres]

Ulfrick roared in response to Slumk's toast, and downed another tankard. The savage then spat out half of his drink in response to Galadon's remark about the cow.

"Ha! I have missed you, Galadon!" The barbarian clapped the druid on the back, a blow which would have sent most men sprawling.

[Tafratin]

Laughing to hard to talk!

[Numen Wraith]

Matesu smiled but didn't join in the laughing. Once the others had settled a little he spoke up. "Gentlemen, I already had my dinner at a tavern. The Dreaming Dragon has decent fare. After we talk about business, you may wish to get there while I secure boarding for the night."

[Galadon]

Recoving from Ulfrick almost knocking him to the other side of the room, Galadon turns to Matesu.

Well met good sir. I am Galadon Druid of the first circle. There is no need to secure a room for myself.

[Tafratin]

"We must still wait to see Vintra over there. We best keep the noise down or one of her guards may be over. Lets have a drink ready for him. If he does not come over it will not go to waste, will it Thorvald. You always seem to have room for one more!" Slumk was not worried about food. That could wait.

[FirstEdition]

The conversation at Vintra's table grows louder and louder attracting the attention of all in the bar. Vintra's guards, hands on their swords, pay close attention to the argument.

Vintra takes out a pouch and places it on the table. "I will not negotiate the terms with you. You either take it or leave it."

The men at the table grumble and politely refuse the quest. "Sorry Vintra, but there doesn't seem to be enough reward for us to do this for you. A mere 50 gold pieces will not get us very far. Your insults shall be you undoing..." With that, the man takes out a dagger and lunges at Vintra knocking over the table. The guard are not quick enough to draw and Vintra is left unprotected. Everything happens with such speed and ends with a body flopping dead on the ground with a dagger in HIS back. Running and hiding behind her two guards, who now have their swords drawn, Vintra tries to catch her breath.

"How dare you attack me! Do you not know who I am?" Vintra orders her two guards to dispose of the rest of the group. She looks at the dagger with puzzlement. "What's this?" A string is attached to the dagger. It then gets one tug and the dagger retracts to where it once came. "What is this trickery?"

"It is no trickery Vintra", a cloaked figure steps out of the shadows slightly. A woman, by her voice, dressed in black leather armor. "And now you owe me." The woman steps out of the bar leaving questions unanswered.

Vintra's guards are tying up the two other men that were part of the group. They have no idea what kind of punishment she has in store for them. "Damn it, you guards are useless. I was almost killed and was saved by a stranger whom I am now indebted to. Useless... You, get these men out of my sight. I'm starting to wonder if this is even worth it anymore."

She brushes herself off as if nothing even happened. She was used to threats and the likes, but this came close. She had a suspicion that they were no ordinary adventurers. Someone was trying to kill her. With as booming a voice as she could muster, she calls out "Any other takers on this job of mine?"