IMPETITUS AND VERENE

Impetitus and Verene approached The Happy Chimera, an upscale tavern. The most famous in all of Adventure Port. One needed to be of a certain status to enter. The large imposing half-orc bouncer politely nodded to them as they walked in. Right after, the bouncer stood to their full height barring the way for the next two in line that tried to enter. There was a commotion that resulted in the half-orc sending them sprawling on the ground.

Inside was the definition of opulence and high-class society. The musicians that played were of the best caliber. Their music would make one cry or laugh. The main room had chandeliers decorated with rare gems, and the tables were imported from the Great Forest Kingdom and handcrafted by elven artisans. Lush carpets and rugs lined the floors from every part of the world. Inlaid with exquisite designs pleasing to walk on and to the eye. The food was prepared by chefs that could serve in a king’s kitchen, and many would pay for the aroma alone.

Among the patrons were members of royal families, merchant lords, and accomplished adventurers that had raided deep into the Wastelands. A few, a very select few, have even entered the Dungeon, hidden within the Wastelands. Impetitus and Verene counted themselves among that most prestigious group. As they walked through, the other patrons would stop their conversations to nod in greeting. Sitting alone at a plush corner table was a man with a long white beard. He wore an elaborate purple silk robe decorated with stars and moons made from gold and silver threads. The man was reading a book as he lounged on the voluminous pillows. A silver tray with cups and plates of fruit was beside him on the marble table. He had the pupilless black eyes of a wizard.

“Viridal?” Verene called.

“Yes?” The wizard asked, not even looking up from his book.

“We are putting together a group to go into the Dungeon,” replied the mage thief.

“Been there, done that, as you very well know. I am not inclined to revisit fighting for my life against demons and other ghastly creatures,” Viridal the Mystic answered, his black pupilless eyes never leaving the book he was reading.

“We are searching for the Chalice, for the Church of the Blue Flame,” Impetitus explained.

Viridal shook his head. He was still reading the book and said, “that was a troublesome quest. Running in circles through the boring parts of the Wasteland, and oh, that’s right, it led ultimately to my death. I am not risking Numaron’s decision to allow me to return again.”

“I told you this was a waste of time,” Verene growled to Impetitus, and the mage thief turned to go.

Impetitus stayed with Viridal. The wizard continued to read and did not acknowledge the tall blonde-haired templar. Impetitus crossed his large arms over his barrel chest.

“We know the goblins have the Chalice and are pretty certain they are going into the Dungeon,” the templar said.

Viridal closed his book with a loud snap. The wizard looked up at the templar and said, “count me in. I have a score to settle with those creatures.”

LATER THAT DAY

The three met again at the Happy Chimera. They each had spent the entire day in search of supplies, gear and to recruit qualified adventurers that they could count on when entering the Dungeon. Impetitus and Verene arrived at the table while the wizard was sitting on plush pillows, reading a book. The two looked exhausted, while Viridal was relaxed and didn’t look up when they sat down.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

“Any luck?” The mystic asked.

“I got you a Summoning, a Binding, and Sending scrolls,” said Impetitus. The templar placed down rolls of silver parchment with a wax seal in the shape of a blue flame attached.

“Very nice! Only three?” The wizard asked.

“They are expensive!” growled the templar.

Viridal unrolled the scrolls. His pupilless black eyes studied them, and after a moment, the wizard said, “I am familiar with these rituals. They are quite powerful. Good work, Impetitus.”

The templar nodded.

“I got this from Merril,” Verene said, and she placed down a wooden Talisman. Her two companion’s eyes went wide. This was needed to locate the Portals that led into the Dungeon.

“He parted with it?” Asked Impetitus.

“Yes, and no. Just be content that we have it.”

“I suppose that means the old ranger will not be joining us,” observed Viridal.

“We need a ranger and a defender,” Verene said, and she looked at the wizard.

“I was unable to convince any of our old friends to join us again,” Viridal said.

“Did you even leave this table?” Verene accused.

“Why, my honor has never been so affronted. Are you implying I’m not carrying my own weight? Well, here,” the mage said and placed a sack on the marble table. It opened and spilled out were purple gleaming Returning Gems.

Verene’s eyes went wide, “did you craft these?” She asked.

“Does my efforts now appease you?”

“These will cut our travel time by a significant amount. Will they put us close enough that the Talisman will work? Then we would not need a ranger,” said Impetitus.

“That is a risky bet. In all likelihood, we will need to search around before the Talisman activates,” Verene answered.

“Speaking of old friends, here comes one,” Viridal observed. The mage was seated with his back against the wall, which afforded him a view of the entire tavern. The others turned and saw a stocky black-haired dwarf strut over to them.

“I hear ya looking to do another run. I want a second crack at it,” the dwarf said. His sizeable black beard twitched as he talked.

“If I recall correctly, you didn’t even make it into the Dungeon,” the mage observed.

“Thank you for your offer Markham, but we need people we can count on. People that have made it in and back out,” Impetitus explained.

“Aye, and ye seem to forget how I saved ye arse from that blasted giant Shadow Wolf,” Markham nearly roared at them.

Viridal scoffed and said, “what good is having a defender that dies on you, hmm?”

“That was a fecking failure. Our group got scattered, and we were surrounded. You all know that it was just a bad situation, which I made work. I stopped that giant beast from ripping you in half! By all accounts, my part saved you all. I hear the stories. It was your magic that saved the rest of the group. Well, who saved you, mage?” The dwarf defender growled. He was clearly worked up.

“He does make a point,” Verene said.

“Markham, we will think on it,” Impetitus said.

“How about we just cut the crap? Word is you have been looking the whole day and without luck. Let’s just shake on it so I can get my gear ready,” Markham grumbled and held out a thick, scarred hand.

“I vote yes,” Verene said, and she raised a hand.

Impetitus looked at Viridal. The mage mumbled that they could find better but didn’t offer much resistance. The templar shook the dwarf’s hand.

“Good, I’ll get ready then,” the dwarven defender said and departed the group.

“Should we waste another day looking for a Ranger? Or should we just head out now?” Impetitus asked.

“Time is wasting. The longer we delay, the further the goblins get from us,” Verene pointed out.

“We can always recruit one at the Adventure Encampments. Let us be gone,” Viridal agreed.