Name: Todd Longfellow, Race: Human

Height: 5’6”, Weight: 130, Sex: Male

Archetype: Fighter

HP: 18 / 18, Mana: 0 / 0

Stats:

Physical: 4, Moxie: 2, Spiritual: 2, Luck: 2

Agility: 2, Magic: 2, Mental: 2, Energy: 3.

Relevant Skills: Balance, Moxie – Deceive, Physical – Awareness, Physical – Listen

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Todd moved forwarded even though he couldn't see anything ahead of him. Slowly he put one foot in front of the other as he reached a hand out to protect his face. Slowly his eyes adjusted to the darkness, and a glowing small stone off to the side gave enough light to see details of the tunnel.

The path sloped upwards at a slight incline. Broad enough to accommodate a wagon, it went forward fifty feet before turning off to the right. Wooden walls with little slits lined the walls and thick wooden beams that held up the ceiling.

Success! Physical roll 7d10; 10, 7, 2, 4, 7, 3, 10; Four Successes; Skill Physical - Awareness has gained 4 Experience. Skill points to the next level, 9,949.

A glimmer of light off something metal poked through one of the slits in the wall. Focusing on the spot, Todd made out the form of a man moving behind the wooden wall. Quickly looking back down the tunnel, Todd kept his gaze on the path in front of him.

The tunnel turned, and another long stretch on a gentle incline before turning again to the left. The tunnel slowly carried everyone up to the top of the plateau. Todd lost count of how many turns he'd made before he came around a corner and saw a bright light ahead.

Stepping out from the darkness, Todd was surrounded by people. Stone walls enclosed the area, three large metal portcullis hung in the air, allowing people to leave the area under the watchful eye of armed guards. Todd struggled to see any of his friends. Taking a guess, he pushed his way toward the closest gate opening. Stopping after he passed under the hanging metal gate, he watched and waited.

The street was wide enough for two wagons to pass by each other. It curved around, so it also met up with the other exit to the area. Todd surmised if he followed it, all three exits would lead to this road. The stones covered the road with a gentle slope with foot-deep gutters that ran parallel. Several shops lined one side of the street, each window covered with metal bars; the doors also had metal straps across them.

Success! Moxie roll 3d10; 1, 6, 9; One Success, Skill Moxie - Deceive gained 1 experience.

Skill points to the next level, 1.

Success! Physical roll 7d10; 1, 4, 8, 3, 5, 1, 6; One Success; Skill Physical - Awareness has gained 1 Experience. Skill points to the next level, 9,948.

Attempting to look casual, Todd scanned the buildings to see if he could see anything important or interesting. Each storefront had a balcony built over it, thick wooden poles supporting the structure. As he looked down the street, each balcony linked up with the building next door to form a long raised walkway. Occasionally a pair of guards covered in armor strolled down the raised path.

Realization washed over Todd that he was alone in a town he knew nothing about. Further down the road, a group of soldiers stood looking menacing. Cursing to himself, Todd took a step backward, scanning faces for one of his friends.

A feeling of calm and peace washed over Todd. Turning around, he spotted Jax and the three villagers standing nearby and whispering. A nearby crowd of people mixed of villagers and strangers stood a few feet away. None of them were looking or appeared to have noticed Todd. The four moved a little further from the crowd, revealing a single man slightly shaking as he stood in place. No one in the crowd moved to him, and he stood their eyes watching Jax's group talk quietly.

Todd moved over to the man taking care to be in the man's line of sight as he approached.

"I'm Todd; I apologize. I don't recall your name." Todd said. He offered a hand to the man.

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The man stood there, unmoving except for blinking a few times and breathing. His face slowly turned toward until he met Todd's gaze. A shaking hand slowly reached out and grasped Todd's.

"Erlish," the man said. "I don't mean to be rude, but I'm waiting for their decision." He released Todd's hand and took three steps away from Todd.

"Oh, sorry, you just looked like you needed something," Todd said. He glanced toward Jax and the three.

Success! Physical Roll 6d10; 8, 2, 9, 3, 3, 5; Two Successes; Skill Physical - Listen has gained 2 Experience.

Skill points to next level, 71

"Is this a test or a distraction," Afton said in a low voice to Jax. Walter and Philip nodded their heads.

"Doesn't it matter? Does it change what we must do?" Jax said.

Todd stood up straight and walked toward Jax. Plodding, his boots thumped against the ground as he got closer. Walter and Philip turned and looked toward him; their glare caused Todd to shiver.

"I want to help him," Todd said.

Jax turned toward Todd then glanced at Erlish. "How do you know he needs help?" Jax's eyes narrowed as he looked at Todd. Briefly, he glanced around as if trying to spot someone else.

"It was obvious, and I asked him." Todd motioned toward the man. "Well, he didn't give me the details, but whatever he needs, I want to help."

Jax nodded and rubbed his chin, then looked at the three villagers standing next to him.

"We can do both; some of us settle in here while my friends help Erlish," Jax said.

"I don't know if the three of us can convince the lord here of our need. We need you," Afton said.

"Having a leatherworker in our debt would be useful if we had to fight," Walter said.

"Then let me, Mark, Charisse, and Reggie help. Jax can help you guys." Todd said.

"Two groups of four," Jax said. "Todd, it is a good idea, but first, I want to make sure the group understands before you volunteer them to a painful death."

"Alright," Todd said. "Let me get the guys together."

After Jax nodded, Todd turned and pushed his way into the crowd. Shouting for his friends, it took only a few minutes to gather Mark and Reggie. Charisse found them shortly after. Todd briefed everyone as they worked through the mass of people. The crowd had expanded beyond the opening and now overflowed into the streets. Afton was directing villagers to nearby Inns and taverns.

"They are at the Sleeping Dragon," Afton said. "I hope you guys are as great as you think; just remember more than your lives ride upon your success."

Todd led his group down the street in the direction given. Once they were a hundred feet from Afton, Charisse spoke, "No pressure aye,"

The Sleeping Dragon was a long green building. Circular bright green tiles covered the roof; a large flag positioned midway through the body flapped in the wind. The entrance was covered, and pointed boards painted white hung from the ceiling like teeth. Several people milled about outside the door; one waved at Charisse before waving them inside.

Stepping across the threshold, the multitude of lights inside briefly blinded Todd, causing him to miss a step.

Success! Agility Roll 4d10; 5, 5, 10, 8. Two Successes; Skill Balance has gained 2 Experience. Skill points to the next level 95.

Landing heavily on his left foot, Todd flailed his hands as he stumbled but remained standing.

"Dude, you ok?" Mark said.

"Yeah, missed a step, probably failed walking roll." Todd placed a hand on a nearby wall as he let his eyes adjust. The walkway continued downward with a step every couple of feet.

"Breathing has gained two experience." Mark took in multiple deep breaths. After the third, he stopped, choked, and coughed a few times. "Must have rolled a bunch of ones," he croaked out.

Todd gave a few pats on Mark's back before continuing. After a twenty-foot tunnel, it opened up. A desk with a man standing behind it, looking at some papers on the right, and a long bar with a woman on the left. Stepping up to the man, Todd cleared his throat to get his attention.

"Welcome to the Sleeping Dragon; I regret to inform you there are no rooms available." The man said without looking up from the papers.

Todd looked at the papers and noted a column of boxes with a line drawn through it.

"I'm looking to meet with some friends who should already be here. Uh, Jax, Afton, Walter, and Philip." Todd said.

"I cannot give you any information regarding the past, present, or future customers." The man said. "If you are to meet them in the bar, perhaps check with the bartenders to see if they left a message."

Turning and sighing, Jax walked over to the lady behind the bar. Before he could speak, she shook her head before pointing back toward the dimly lit area of tables. Soft music from a string instrument drifted down to them. Todd followed, looking not for a familiar face but the aura of peace that surrounds his friend.

It took a small loop before Todd felt the familiar sense of peace and calm. Glancing around, he looked for a table or booth with four people. Most of the tables were empty or had a single person in them. One large booth had six people packed into it, and a table pulled up close with another four sitting at it. With his friends in tow, Todd stepped up to the tables.

"Jax?" Todd said when he got closer, still able to make out his friend among the group. The face of Walter appeared as he looked up.

"He went to get some drinks; he'll be back in a moment," Walter said.

"I'm here," Jax's voice came from behind Todd. He stepped forward with a platter containing several cups and a large metal pitcher. He set it down on the table and pulled up a seat. He met the eyes of Todd, then the rest of the group. "How do you feel about killing some owlbears?"

"Fuckity, fuck, fuck," a voice softly said from behind Todd.

"Really?" Todd almost took a step back. He closed his eyes for a second before opening them. Tightening his jaw, he turned and looked at his friends. They all stood behind him still. Looking back at Jax, Todd mulled over if five would be better than four. "If we are smart about it, it shouldn't be an issue."

"Can someone tell me why before we risk death?" Charisse said.

"Um, Erlish is a leatherworker, and uh," Todd's words stumbled as he tried to remember what the guy said.

"No," Walter said. He gave a glance to Jax and others at the table before speaking. "Erlish's family owns a tannery and armor smithing business. It's a few miles from the town, toward the mountains. A few days ago, owlbears broke in and started eating their supplies. He came here to get help, the town isn't able to risk it, and so he's been trying to find adventures or mercenaries to take care of the problem."

"We can handle an owlbear easily," Todd said.

"Owlbears," Walter said. "Three from what he has counted."

Todd gulped; before he could reconsider, he felt a hand on his shoulder.

"If we play it smart, it is still doable. If nothing else, Mark can nuke them from orbit." Charisse said.

"We need to avoid burning down another forest and the skinner's shop," Jax said from the table. "Maybe I should go with you guys."

"No, we have Reggie, and we need the city's support more than we need cheap leather armor." Todd shook his head.

"I'll have Erlish go to your room first thing in the morning," Jax said. He pushed a key across the table. "Only one room, housing is tight, if I don't see you guys tomorrow, may the gods guide you to success."

"And may the gods guide you as well." Todd gave a little bow before picking up the key before heading to their room.