"Why would someone need bread so badly? From a little girl no less." Arkinis asked.
Arkinis Leaffall is her name, a ranger by trade. She was pretty straight headed Half-elf. Good is good and evil is evil in her book. She supposedly lived in a local village with her parents. She was pretty handy with a bow and rarely missed. She is the second youngest next to Vexar at age twenty. She is usually seen wearing splint mail although it is usually adorned with small pouches that hang off of her belt and a quiver on her back. Her down to Earth attitude and dark black hair that reaches the end of her shoulder blades, suggest a very serious and tough girl, but her amber eyes suggest a kindness inside her. This is usually seen with her soft voice.
"Because he was an evil cur and I gave him what he deserved." Vexar replied.
Vexar was given his last name, Ironbones because of what happened with his sister and how he mercilessly tracked down her killer. He spent years in the forest worshiping Silvanus. In his eyes, killing that man was a way of bringing back the balance. Ever since that day he's worn a cloak since passing through towns. People thought it was because he didn't want to be seen because of his now well-known status. In reality it was because he hated cities, every part of them. He grew anxious in cities and if anyone were to surprise attack him in a town; he'd be dead in an instant. Vexar is the youngest in the group at age sixteen. His plain, low tone voice and usually half-covered face lead people to wonder what he's really thinking. This isn't helped by his grey eyes and almost never revealed white hair; many have even claimed his hood is because of his neck-length hair. His dark past has lead him to become insistently vulgar, even when it isn't necessary.
"Well I'm sorry about y-"Elaria was cut off by Vexar.
Elaria Spellbinder is a mage who was a great ally to have and a dangerous enemy. She was actually from a rich family but when her castle was destroyed she left for Kuldahar hoping the destroyers of her castle wouldn't find her. She shows a deep fondness for evocation magic even though she isn't an invoker. Elaria currently carries twenty three years of life with her and is quite proud of her half-elven blood. She wears a pair of green eyes with auburn colored hair, she tends to keep her hair in a ponytail that even still reaches the middle of her back. She has a slightly strong voice, although the innocent side of her voice comes out when she lets, as she says, "her guard down"
"Elaria it's not that I don't appreciate…" Vexar couldn't finish his sentence before he put his right hand over his eyes and sighed.
"It's alright laddie; we get it" Hitar assured Vexar
Hitar Shieldbreaker is a human paladin of the god Torm. He is like mentor of the group being the oldest at age forty one. He's had many an adventure in his life and is anxious to see how they can help the people of kuldahar. He has a passion for justice and is clearly a very caring man willing to protect the people he cares about. His cold blue eyes, brown hair and beard show people that he is a man that means business. This evidenced by his clean cut hair that stops at his neck and usual stubble. His northern accent leads many to stereotype him, especially when he uses his favorite word, "laddie"
"Yeah man that stuffs pretty bad, you don't need to act all tough with us" Reenix rang in her cheerful voice.
Reenix Bladesheath is a thief who grew up on the streets of Baldur's gate. She learned to steal from people quite easily and was remarkably good at quickly slipping into the shadows to hide from the guard. She loves hearing the clink of coins, but she is a generally good person. She did what she did on the streets of Baldur's gate just to get by. She's more than happy to help the caravan route to Kuldahar. She has ninety eight elven years of experience to be more than helpful to the group. Her cheery attitude is complimented by her green eyes and cherry red hair. It's doesn't take people a long time to realize it's hard to darken her mood. That style of life even shines through to her voice.
"You've been through a lot kid; you're one of us now, remember that." Rickul told Vexar.
Rickul Holyhand is a priest of lathander and one of the few accepted half-orcs in the area. He was shoved out of many towns and cities before he found Hitar's group. He's a very wise man and isn't afraid to accept a challenge. He's been an outcast for his thirty two years of life. His brooding, gravelly voice causes many to back off immediately. His dark brown eyes, that almost seem to be black, look as if they could pierce directly through someones soul. He is known to lose his temper and won't stop until what he feels is right happens.
"We really should be moving; I'll go check with Hrothgar to see what he needs of us." Vexar explained to the group. He walked out the door while putting on his red cloak. Vexar walked over to what he assumed was Hrothgar's house as he didn't give them exact directions. Upon stepping into the house Vexar found many oddities from what seemed like many adventuring trips; he saw Hrothgar sitting in the corner.
"Ahh I'm glad you came to see me; where's the rest of your party?" Hrothgar asked
"They're still at the tavern; I'm getting what you asked of us." Vexar replied
'Well we have a few issues with the caravan routes; Pomab, the emporium owner, is complaining about nearly running out of stock. We need you to find that caravan and tell us what happened to it." Hrothgar informed
"Sounds simple enough." Vexar said with a shrug of his shoulders
"Just be careful, we have no idea what's going on out there." Hrothgar said as he bid Vexar farewell. Vexar walked back to the tavern and looked at the party.
"Well; we have a caravan to find" Vexar announced
"Ohhh sounds like fun let's go!" Reenix said as she ran out the door.
They all left the tavern and while walking across the bridge ran into a little boy. He was waving his hands and screaming.
"PLEASE HELP ME GREEN MONSTERS HAVE TAKEN MY FISH" The boy was screamed without even taking a breath.
"Calm down laddie; tell us what's going on" Hitar said as calmly as possible.
"A bunch of mean green monsters took my fish, papas gonna be real mad if I don't get it back" The boy was almost in tears.
"Okaaaaaaaaaaayyyy let's get the fish back guys!" Reenix said very excitedly again.
"I swear, I can't understand where she gets all her energy from" Rickul added as he drew his flail. Everyone had loaded up on the best things they could wear and wield. Rickul, Hitar and Arkinis were wearing splint mail with a helmet. Reenix was wearing a suit of leather armor, while Elaria wore a plain orange robe. Vexar came prepared with a suit of leather armor and a scimitar. He covered his head with his cloak.
Hitar drew his long sword and shield, Arkinis with her bow, Reenix with her two short swords and Elaria with her sling.
"Arkinis, Elaria stick to the archers. Rickul, Reenix and Vexar make sure we stop them from getting to that kid" Hitar said as he rushed the goblins soon followed by the rest of the group. Everyone claimed themselves a kill in the fight, Hitar and Vexar claiming two.
Vexar picked up the fish and threw it to the kid; to his surprise he actually caught it. They continued through the pass until they reached an opening and were encountered with three wolves.
"Same thing with thes-" Hitar was cut off by Vexar
"Hang on; I can handle this" Vexar said as he slowly walked up to the wolves that were now baring their teeth.
"Aye laddie what in the nine hells are you doing?" Hitar had a genuine sound of concern in his voice.
"Wait are you….. a druid?' Elaria said at of curiosity. Vexar actually forgot that he never told them he was a druid. At this point his hand was on one of the wolves' forehead. He then stood up and gestured them to leave the area; they complied quickly.
"Look!" Reenix pointed in the direction of a cave. An orc quickly darted back into the cave.
With a slight nod everyone gave chase to the orc. When entering the cave no one or thing was to be seen.
"This doesn't make any sense where could they be?" Vexar was at a complete loss. That's when 3 orcs walked up to them speaking some form of orcish. They raised their weapons; clearly they wanted a fight.
"Ok, do the best you can to dodge their attacks; they might not be very tough but they can hit hard." Hitar finished his sentence by walking up with his shield in front of him. The orc slammed down on the shield. Hitar took the opportunity to slash his legs. The orc fell to the ground as Arkinis landed an arrow straight between the eyes. While this was happening Reenix, Elaria and Rickul took down the second orc with ease. They all looked to the left to see Vexar lying on the ground with an orc laughing over him.
"This is too easy" Vexar said as he rolled backwards, landed on his feet and drove his scimitar through the orcs stomach; then pulled it out to slash it across the orcs throat. Vexar then proceeded to heal himself as he did purposely get hurt to make it look more believable.
"So my prediction was correct... you are a druid." Elaria said feeling quite proud of herself for deciphering that.
"Let's move on, we can talk about it when we get to kuldahar" Vexar replied. The group continued through the cave. They found themselves in a filled with orcs. Three warriors, a sage, and four archers.
"Ok Reenix, Rickul and Vexar storm the archers, Elaria stop that sage from casting anything and Arkinis give me some help with these three warriors Hitar ordered." Everyone surprising came out practically unscathed. Vexar, Reenix, and Rickul handled the archers quite well. Hitar and Arkinis were able to make quick work out of the three warriors and Elaria killed the sage with two magic missiles and a bullet to the chest.
"Everyone look around, there are crates everywhere and we could use some extra supplies." Rickul said with confidence. Everyone looked around; they found a few potions and a bit of gold but Reenix found a magic belt. Elaria looked at the belt and determined it was a belt of bless. They gave it to Hitar; as if he wasn't strong enough. With further travel into the cave they found 5 orcs and an ogre.
"Be careful with that ogre. Vexar distract him while we kill these orcs.' Vexar did a really good job of distracting him. It wasn't very long before the orcs were dead and they all ganged up on the ogre. With 6 people he fell very quickly; almost with no challenge at all. They found a deed for the caravan on his corpse as well as some gold games and a wolf pelt in a nearby chest. They returned to easthaven with the news.
"Well if you're ready to leave now I can have someone pick up the supplies we need from Pomab and we can be on our way." Hrothgar said.
"Yes, let us depart as soon as possible" Rickul replied.
They soon departed with the caravan and that's when things went wrong. As they were coming up to kuldahar pass everyone heard what sounded like a crack of thunder and before they knew it they had snow crashing down upon them.