Author's Note: I would like to give special thanks to LaylaDeMich for beta reading this story.

Chapter I: Humble Beginnings

Ganon: You arrive in the settlement of New Calais, a rapidly growing city in the Human Kingdom of Arrah. Having been discharged from your position of knight in the army as a result of a horrible accident involving a rock, a brazier, and all the officers in the tent burning alive due to your baffling clumsiness, you step your way into the center of town, seeking work, new companions, and a chance for honor and glory.

Ganon: You look up at the sky, and the sun is directly overhead; it's around midday. In front of you, there is a plaza of cobblestone at the center of which is a well. There are two-story buildings on all sides of this four-way, circular intersection of cobblestone roads. Busybodies shuffle each and every way carrying pails of water, leading horses, pulling carts of grain and vegetables, and generally carrying out each of their daily tasks. On the opposite side of the plaza to the North, you read a sign that says "Tavern," to the West you read "General Store," and to the East you read two signs on buildings that say "Inn" and "Blacksmith" respectively. You take in your surroundings and wonder to yourself, "Hmmm, where should I go first?"

Marinette: I, Lady Burgh, a level 1 human paladin and knight under the Stoutfish Banner…

Alya: Former knight, you mean?

Marinette: Ahem, former knight under the Stoutfish Banner, decide to head to the tavern in search of work and companions.

Ganon: You make your way to the tavern and notice a bounty board posted outside of various job listings.

Marinette: I open the door and step inside.

Ganon: You pull on the handle of the large, wood-carved door. The moment the door cracks open, your ears are flooded with the sounds of music, singing, brawling, cheering, and general merriment. To the right, you see the bar where a busty barmaid is scrubbing vomit and glass shards off the thick chunk of oak that serves as the bar itself. At the left of the room, you see two dwarves chugging away at their tankards, clearly in a race to the bottom of their mugs. Towards the back of the room, you see a band of bards playing their instruments and singing away in poor tune. You can tell that at least three of the four bards are visibly intoxicated. A drunk halfling walks across the table next to you and says, "How much for those?" raising a silver piece and pointing down the cleavage of your chainmail, and it's immediately clear to you that he's not interested in buying your armor.

Marinette: Ugh, I punch the halfling into next week!

Ganon: Roll for athletics.

Marinette: Sixteen plus three, that's nineteen!

Ganon: You punch the halfling with such force, he sails across the room, grabbing the attention of almost everyone as he crashes into the far wall with a cacophonous "CRACK." Several of the bar patrons cheer, and in the commotion, you catch the swipe of a catfolk's paw as he swaps a card from his hand for another from the deck.

Chloe: When does my character come in? This is boring.

Adrien: Chloe, you're interrupting.

Chloe: Ugh, get on with it, already. I haven't got all day.

Marinette (to Alya): Hmph, who invited her anyways?

Ganon: Ahem. What are you going to do next, Lady Burgh?

Marinette: I make my way over to the gambling table where I saw the sneaky cat.

Ganon: As you approach, the round concludes, and the male Catfolk wins the bet.

Adrien: Better luck next time, chaps, this round goes to the cat.

Ganon: Adrien, you add 36 gold pieces to your money pouch.

Marinette: Say, mister cat-man, you've some pretty fast hands. I'm a little new to this adventuring life, and I'm looking to put together a crew. I'm looking for at least two others who can handle themselves in a bind.

Ganon: The cat-man looks up at you from the table, flipping a gold coin through the fingers of his paw. He is seated in a heavy slouch, his tail curling back and forth behind the gap in the back of the chair. His green, slitted eyes narrow on your figure, providing a stark contrast to his jet black fur.

Adrien: What kind of binds are we talking? Is there gold in it?

Marinette: Let's just say if you can hold your own, there'll be plenty of gold to go around.

Adrien: Sounds good to me. I'm Cat Namar, level 1 rogue, at your service. (And then I give her a little bow).

Ganon: Lady Burgh, you feel a long-fingered hand on your shoulder as a dark presence appears behind you. You turn around and meet the black eyes of a hooded dark elf.

Nino: I couldn't help but overhear your conversation from across the room. Something about a job and gold?

Marinette: That's right, I'm putting together a crew to go out adventuring.

Nino: I'm in the search of a certain magical artefact. I will join your party, but should we come across any… unusual artefacts, they're mine. You can keep the gold; I have little need for it.

Marinette: What's your name, Drow?

Nino: I am Nando, level 1 wizard.

Marinette: I beckon my new friends to follow me outside to the bounty board, and I ask them which one we should take.

Adrien: Let's take the one with the highest payout.

Nino: It matters little to me.

Marinette: Okay, the highest payout it is.

Ganon: You take several minutes to rifle through all the listings, comparing the payouts of each job. Finally, you decide upon a listing to find and rescue a missing elf princess.

Marinette: Is there any additional information on the listing?

Ganon: All it says is that the daughter of the elf king Aendrelis is missing and that the king will pay ten thousand gold pieces to whomever returns her to him safely.

Adrien: Ten thousand? Now that's what I'm talking about!

Marinette: Is there any description of the elf?

Ganon: She is a high elf, about 5'3", 110 lbs, blonde hair, blue eyes, pale skin.

Marinette: But we have no idea where to start looking.

Adrien: Let's ask around town.

Ganon: You look around. There is a general store to the West, an Inn and a blacksmith's shop to the East, and a well in the center of the plaza.

Adrien: Let's go check out the general store. Maybe we can also purchase some supplies.

Ganon: You enter the general store. Stocked on the shelves are food, clothes, boots, tools, climbing gear, rope, lanterns, marbles, and all manner of useful junk. Behind the counter sits a very cantankerous human who appears to be tallying something from the ledger in his hands. As you approach the counter, a gnome scurries past, dropping a wooden box, and as the box crashes to the floor, you hear the sound of something inside shatter.

Ganon (shopkeeper): Damnit Clef, if you break one more thing, I'll break every bone in your puny little body!

Ganon: As the shopkeeper turns to look at the gnome on the floor in front of you, who you can only assume is Clef, he notices you, puts away the ledger, and straightens up at the counter.

Ganon (shopkeeper): Oh, welcome to my shop, Gregory's General Goods and Gifts Galore. Take a look, I've lots of goods and things on sale today.

Ganon: You approach the counter and take a look. You see potions, scrolls, a few daggers, chains, quills, ink bottles, canisters, cups, mugs, pots, pans, chalk, wax, candles, firestarters, and compases, among other miscellaneous items and tools.

Adrien: How much for a healing potion?

Ganon (Gregory): Normally, I sell them for 60 gold, but for you, my friend, 55 gold pieces.

Adrien: How about two potions for 90 gold.

Ganon: Roll a persuasion check.

Adrien: Nine plus four, thirteen.

Ganon (Gregory): I like anyone who likes to bargain. Here you are, my feline friend.

Ganon: You exchange ninety gold for two healing potions.

Marinette: I would also like to buy a healing potion for 45 gold.

Ganon: You count out 45 gold pieces, and Gregory gives you a healing potion.

Ganon (Gregory): And anything for you, my hooded friend.

Nino: I say, giving him a very distrustful look, "one potion." Then I drop the money on the counter and take my healing potion.

Ganon: Gregory is slightly put off by Nando's sinister gaze, but he shrugs it off and turns his attention back to Cat Namar and Lady Burgh.

Ganon (Gregory): Is there anything else I can do you for?

Adrien: Actually, yes. My friends and I are looking for a missing elf, daughter of the elf king, ringing any bells?

Ganon (Gregory): I can't say that I have.

Ganon: He makes a cryptic expression, and you notice that he is rubbing his thumb and index finger over the counter.

Adrien: I pull out five gold pieces and place them in a neat stack on the counter. Then I say, "Perhaps this could jog your memory."

Ganon: Roll persuasion.

Adrien: Eighteen plus six, twenty-four.

Ganon: Gregory greedily swipes up the gold pieces and tells you everything he knows.

Ganon (Gregory): Yeah, supposedly she ran away from home, Pelor knows why. She was last seen alone, entering the Forest of Wyrmbrush. If you're looking for her, I suggest that's a good place to start.

Marinette: Who's Pelor?

Ganon (Gregory): Pelor, the deity of light, strength, and healing…

Marinette: Oh, right.

Adrien: Where is this Forest of Wyrmbrush?

Chloe: Wyrmbrush? What kind of name is that?

Ganon: Chloe, if you can't stop interrupting, you can't play with us.

Chloe: Ugh, whatever…

Ganon (Gregory): As I was saying, if you follow the Eastern road out of town, you'll reach the forest in one day's travel, but if you're entering the forest, you'd best watch out. Travelers who come to this town through the forest often speak of a hideous monster who lurks about, attacking unsuspecting travelers with the fury of a manticore. Some say it's vaguely human. Others say it's something else, some kind of mutant or abomination. If you're heading into those woods, I suggest you tread carefully.

Adrien: Thank you for everything, Gregory, and farewell.

Ganon: You leave the shop with your potions and your new objective: reach the Forest of Wyrmbrush and find the missing elf princess.

Nino: Before we depart, I would like to stop at the blacksmith's.

Marintee: Okay.

Adrien: That's fine.

Ganon: You make your way across the plaza and enter the blacksmith's shop. From the moment you step through the door, you feel the heat from the furnace hit your face like a wave. Behind the bellows, you see a burly dwarf with a shaved head and a long beard that splits into two. He looks up from the bellows and says, "Aye, I'll be with ye shortly." He pulls an ingot out of the furnace and places it on the anvil. Then he takes off his gloves and meets you at the counter. On display are a variety of swords, rapiers, maces, warhammers, scimitars, lances, halberds, shields, chest plates, chainmail, and other weapons and armor. The dwarf steps up onto a stool behind the counter, so that he is now approximately at eye level to you. Then he says, "How can I help ye."

Nino: I'm interested in any magical items or artefacts you may have. Tell me, do you possess any magical weapons or armors?

Ganon (Blacksmith): Magical weapons? Nay, ye'd best be stayin' away from magical artefacts 'n' such. They's nothing good come from magical items…

Nino: Do you know where I could find some magical items?

Ganon (Blacksmith): If magic be what yer after, I'd suggest diggin' in caves and dungeons. They's be havin' plenty of magical items there. I see adventurers coming back from dungeons tryin' to sell me magical things, but I'm not the one to be dealing with such things. They's nothing good come from magical items…

Nino: Alright, if this guy doesn't have anything cool to sell, let's just go to the forest or whatever.

Ganon (Blacksmith): Ye be headin' into the forest, are ye?

Nino: Yeah, what about it?

Ganon (Blacksmith): Ye'd best be takin' care. The last group of 'venturers never returned from that forest. Some think they's some kind o' monster got 'em, but I know they's wrong. Don't get me wrong, they's plenty o' monsters in those woods, no doubt, but I think it was bandits, got 'em, 'cause I sold 'em one o' me battleaxes, and not two days later, a fellow come in to me shop to sell me the very same axe. I don't think they even made it to the woods… I think bandits got 'em first.

Nino: Alright, we will make sure to be on the lookout for any bandits or monsters.

Ganon (Blacksmith): Farewell, adventurers.

Nino: Farewell.

Marinette: Alright, let's take that Eastern road to the Forest of Wyrmbrush.

Ganon: You take the road out of town with the setting sun to your back. The landscape is mostly flat. You pass by farms and cottages surrounded by fields of grain, and as you get farther away from New Calais, traffic on the road becomes less and less frequent. The plains slowly start to shift to rolling hills, and eventually after several hours of walking, you can see the edge of the forest just over the next hill. The sun is setting, and it is quickly getting dark. You can either stop and rest here for the night, or you can push on, but you will each take one point of exhaustion if you continue.

Marinette: We should rest here for the night. Who knows what creatures will be lurking in the forest after dark. We'll be safer resting here.

Adrien: Sounds good to me.

Nino: You two sleep. Because I'm an elf, I don't need to sleep. I'll sit watch in a trance-like state and if I hear anything, I'll wake you guys up.

Adrien: Oh crap, I don't have a bedroll. Apparently there is no bedroll in the burglar's starter pack.

Nino: You can have mine, I don't need to use it.

Adrien: Cool, thanks. Let me add that to my equipment list.

Ganon: Before you go to sleep, each of you subtract one day's rations from your equipment list. After you have eaten, Lady Burgh and Cat Nomar go to sleep while Wizard Nando keeps an ear open for trouble in his trance-like meditation. A few hours pass quietly, until Nando hears footsteps, and wakes up the others.

Nino: Guys, wake up. I hear some footsteps coming this way.

Marinette: Huh, what's that? What's going on?

Ganon: Everyone make a stealth check. Marinette, you roll with disadvantage from your chainmail.

Adrien: Fourteen plus six, twenty.

Nino: Eight plus two, ten.

Marinette: Seven minus two, five.

Ganon: Cat Namar drops to all fours, and in the darkness his black fur disappears from vision. Wizard Nando springs to his feet silently, preparing for whatever comes next. Then Lady Burgh… Oh Lady Burgh… When Lady Burgh gets to her feet, she gets her foot caught in her bedroll and falls on her face, causing a bit of a ruckus from the clanking of her chainmail and shield. From over the ridge, you hear someone shout, "What was that? Who's there? Show yourself!"

Adrien: I think they heard us.

Ganon (bandit 1): Prepare for trouble!

Ganon (bandit 2): And make it double!

Ganon (bandit 1): To protect the world from devastation!

Ganon (bandit 2): To unite all peoples within our nation!

Ganon (bandit 1): To denounce the evils of truth and love!

Ganon (bandit 2): To extend our reach to the stars above!

Ganon (bandit 1): Cassie!

Ganon (bandit 2): Crames!

Ganon (Cassie): Team Comet shoots off at the speed of light!

Ganon (Crames): Surrender now, or prepare to fight!

Ganon (Talking Mastiff): Bark! That's right!

Ganon: Everyone, roll for initiative!

Adrien: Dangit, natural one.

Marinette: Four minus two, two.

Nino: Five plus two, seven.

Ganon: The three of you are at the top of the hill, here, Cat Namar is on the right, Lady Burgh in the middle, and Nando on the left. Team Comet is here about twenty-five feet down the hill. Under the moonlight, everything is illuminated with dim light. The bandit who identified herself as Cassie is the first to act. Cassie moves forward about twenty feet, just in front of Nando, where she uses her second action to attack Nando with her scimitar. She rolls a fourteen to hit.

Nino: That hits.

Ganon: Cassie swings her scimitar at you, and you instinctively bring your hands up to protect your body. The sword connects with your arm and leaves a nasty gash. It does two slashing damage.

Ganon: The Talking Mastiff is the next to act. He runs up to Lady Burgh and tries to Bite. He rolls a twelve to hit.

Marinette: That misses.

Ganon: As the dog rushes you with its fangs bared, you dodge out of the way, and its muzzle snaps at the air where you just were.

Ganon: Next to act is the bandit who identified himself as Crames. He doesn't see Cat Namar, who is still hidden by the darkness, and attacks Lady Burgh with his scimitar. He rolls a natural twenty to hit, that means double dice damage. Crames leaps toward Lady Burgh and swipes his scimitar at you, the sword slashes at your left hip and goes right through your chainmail. It deals seven slashing damage.

Marinette: That brings me down to six hit points.

Ganon: Next to act is Nando.

Nino: I cast poison spray on the bandit Cassie. My spell Die Count is thirteen.

Ganon: Cassie rolls a constitution saving throw; she rolls a seventeen. As you send a spray of poison her way, it soaks her upper body, but she wipes it off with her hands, resisting any poison damage. Next to act is Lady Burgh.

Marinette: I swing my longsword at the bandit Crames.

Marinette: Thirteen plus five, that's eighteen to hit.

Ganon: That hits, go ahead and roll for damage.

Marinette: Seven plus three, ten damage.

Ganon: You raise your sword over your head and bring it down on his neck, and as you pull the sword away, Crames drops to his knees, barely hanging on to life.

Marinette: Then I use my bonus action to use Heroic Encouragement. I inspire Cat Namar, and give him an additional d6 die to any attack roll or saving throw.

Ganon: Last to act is Cat Namar.

Adrien: Finally! I spring from the shadows and Execute a sneak attack with my dagger on the bandit Crames.

Ganon: Go ahead and roll the attack with advantage from stealth.

Adrien: Fifteen plus six, twenty-one.

Ganon: That hits. Roll for damage with bonus damage from sneak attack.

Adrien: Seven damage.

Ganon: Cat Namar pounces from the tall grass and drives his dagger into Crames's back. Crames topples to the ground, defeated. Next up, it's Cassie's turn. Cassie takes another swing with her scimitar at Nando. She rolls a five to hit.

Nino: That misses.

Ganon: Cassie swings her sword at your feet, and you jump over it. The sword makes a whistling sound as it swings under your feet. Cassie ends her turn. Next is the Mastiff. He turns to Cat Namar and uses Bite. He rolls a twenty to hit.

Adrien: That hits.

Ganon: The mastiff sees the tasty cat and jumps up at you, biting down on your neck. You manage to shake the dog off, but it still does six piercing damage.

Adrien: Uh oh, I'm down to three hit points.

Ganon: The mastiff ends its turn. Next is Nando.

Nino: I cast firebolt on Cassie.

Ganon: Roll to hit.

Nino: Natural twenty!

Ganon: Roll for damage and double the dice damage.

Nino: Six times two, twelve damage.

Ganon: You speak the incantation for the spell, and as you do, something unusual happens: this time, the firebolt sparks to life with an unusual power. You do everything you can to contain it before unleashing it upon the foe before you. It charges from your hand and chars Cassie, instantly vaporizing her, and leaving a stack of black ash that disintegrates as the wind picks it up and carries it away in different directions. Lady Burgh is the next to act.

Marinette: I turn to the mastiff and attack with my longsword.

Ganon: Roll to hit.

Marinette: Two plus five, seven?

Ganon: Unfortunately, you swing your sword, and the mastiff manages to dodge out of the way as your sword strikes the soft ground. You will need to pull it out before you can use it again.

Marinette: I use my bonus action to pull out my sword.

Ganon: Cat Namar is up next.

Adrien: I lunge at the mastiff with my dagger with sneak attack since one of my friends is within five feet of the monster.

Ganon: Roll to hit.

Adrien: Twelve plus six, eighteen.

Ganon: That hits. Roll for damage.

Adrien: Five plus four, nine damage.

Ganon: As you lunge at the mastiff, the dog turns its head toward you. Your knife comes crashing down, right between its beady eyes. Its legs give out, and you twist the knife in its skull, just for good measure. With all the foes defeated, you each gain twenty-five experience points.

Adrien: Let's loot the bodies.

Ganon: Among the bodies, you find 150 gold pieces, six rations, two scimitars, a lantern, a spiked dog collar, and two strange cubes about the size of your palm.

Adrien: Let's split the gold and rations.

Marinette: I'll take the lantern.

Adrien: I guess I'll take the scimitars. I can always sell them later.

Nino: I will take the two strange cubes and study them later.

Marinette: I guess we should go back to sleep. We get all of our hit points back after any long rest.

Nino: Before we do, I cast identify on one of the strange cubes.

Ganon: You cast the spell and immediately understand what the cubes are and how to use them. They are called Capture Cubes, and you can use one on any weakened creature, capturing it inside. You may then use the cube to release the creature to fight by your side until the creature dies or until you recall the creature back to the cube. Each cube can only contain one monster at a time, whether inside or outside of the cube. To capture a monster, you must first weaken it, then roll a d6. If you roll equal or more than the monster's current hit points, you capture it.

Nino: Awesome.

Marinette: We should go back to sleep. We need to be well rested for tomorrow.

Ganon: With the sweet taste of victory in your minds, you go back to sleep, and wake up early the next morning.