Two years ago, the great war had ended leaving Khorvaire in an uneasy peace between the twelve nations that arose to power through out the fighting. All the nations are now recovering from the one hundred year conflict; rebuilding armies, economies, and exploring the new land that they were given through the treaty of thronehold. Breland, the strongest out of them all, is reeling from a weakened military and now is relying on mercenaries for a part of their army. Many people try to sell their sword arm to anyone who is looking to hire, but three specific people have risen to power and now control the three most powerful companies of mercs through out Breland. These folks are Havundar Bhelthas, Captain Busnick, and Lady Palpaline, which all control the Golden crown, Busnicks Brawlers, and The Bleeding Hearts, respectfully. The Breland military hires from these three mostly as evenly as possible, not wanting one to monopolize the entire industry in such a sensitive time for everyone.

Even though the war is over, by no means is the fighting ever going to stop. Skirmishes between border patrols and monsters pouring in from Droaam will always happen, and pirates in the hilt threaten peace from within Brelands own borders. But that is how it always is, war and peace never really being as black and white as everyone always wants it to be. But this world is where many people have to live, including our heros, who unbeknownst to them will be starting the adventure of a life time quite soon. Right now though, they all are settled in at First Tower, the small thorpe just outside of Sharn relieving them from sleeping on the cold hard ground at night, and the weary travels that the hot summer days always bring.



Breland, First Tower, "The Tower Inn"


The thorpe of First Tower only has a few commodities with it, those being one general store, one stable for horses, the lightning rail station, the checkpoint to enter Sharn, and of course the famous Inn which is built around the infamous tower, "The Tower Inn." On this humid summer day at high noon, we find our five heros taking refuge within the walls of "The Tower Inn", relaxing and waiting for the cooler part of the day to come around. Most of the sixty or so people who live here are also here doing the same thing, so today it is a bit crowded. But for Ailinel, the barkeep and store owner of "The Tower Inn", it's just another day as usual. The murmur of chat and laughing and singing can be heard, as a good time is had by all in this inn. Smells of pipe weed, fresh baked bread and meats of all kinds permeate the air as lunch is just beginning to be served, and the waitresses weave in and out of the twenty or so round tables set up in the large square room. On the northern side, a bar is set up, with twelve bar stools, and of course Ailinel behind it serving everyone their favorite cool drinks. To the left is a staircase leading upstairs to the eight or so rooms that are always for rent, and also presumably always full as travelers frequent this inn day in and day out. Behind the bar is the kitchen, which only give way to quick glances as the doors open and shut behind the waitresses and cooks, and on the right is the Tower itself, partially sticking into the room going from floor to ceiling. The inn was built around the tower, and on the towers sides are shelves that hold presumable artifacts from the historic creation of First Tower.

Sitting at a table next to the tower itself sat two men, both who were sipping on an ale and observing the Inn and its inhabitants. One of them was a dashingly dressed man with a quarter staff resting on the table. The staff was a beautiful wood reinforced with the finest of metals, and he wore a wide brimmed hat which held a feather, and tall riding boots. His perfectly manicured mustache and goatee gave him the looks of a dashing swordsmen, but no blade could be spotted on him. Next to him sat another fellow, who did have a fine looking rapier hanging from his side. His hair was almost to his ear, and was slightly curly at the tips. His green eyes darted the room as he looked at the gathering crowd, but he also got a few looks as every once in a while his mithril armour would be revealed through his shirt, its shine catching the eye of more then one patron.

Sitting at the bar, but sipping a tall glass of milk was a very young boy, about the age of fourteen or so. He was slightly out of place because he was there alone, and not accompanied by a parent like every other child is. Ailinel didn't care though, his bar was open to all, and as long as they have the money, they have his welcome.

Outside the inn, basking in the heat of the day was a very peculiar person who's skin was brown and hair was green. He slept leaning up against the back of the inn, enjoying the feel of the grass and the shade that the trees and the inn and the tower gave him. he caught a few glances here and there but his kind was nothing that wasnt seen before, and so he slept soundly knowing that he was safe and sound.

Sitting next to the little boy at the bar stool was a man who had came down just few hours earlier from renting a room. He was darkly tanned and had brown hair, and very dark eyes. He sat, and even though he had no armour or weapons on him, he gave off the feel and look of a great fighter, someone who has seen combat time and time again. The only weapon he sported was a mace, which he kept with him just incase something happened, but in this in it was slightly foolish to go around fully armoured and armed, as it was such a peaceful place.

After a while of eating, drinking, and just pure merriment, a man walked into the inn and sat at a lower left hand table, but soon stood, and even started to climb onto the table. The man was clad in studded leather, and a short sword hung from his belt while a shield was strapped to his back. Everyone turned to look at him while he climbed, and caught the attention of everyone else as he started talking out loud.

" Men and women of First Tower, I have come here to ask for your help! There is a menace in the west, and it needs to be stopped! Monsters, goblins, and orcs of all kinds are starting to pour through the hills over from Droaam, and the Brelish military is at its breaking point! We soldiers from The Bleeding Hearts Mercenary company are beginning to gather together, and tomorrow morning we will head out to relieve the Brelish military of the attacks that they are constantly striving to fight back! But we are undermanned, and need you, worthy adventurers to sign up and help! Get payed to fight along side with us, and see the Brelish military in action as we help save them again! Those monsters have resorted to burning down swathes of the mountain forests, to clear a path around us, and if we dont get there in time, they will swarm over the entire border, so sign up now!"

He sits back down, and takes out a pen and paper, as people start to talk amongst themselves about what had just happened. Ailinel just nods silently to himself, and goes back to work serving drinks. Men and women alike already are starting to stand up and sign the paper, money being the first thing on their minds. Amids the crowd of people, five individuals contemplate the thought, and decide on what they would do next.

Beau watched, drinking his milk quietly while the man made his town crier announcement. He frowned behind his glass as the announcement continued. He knew what it meant. If he wanted to find a sturdy fighter to travel with, he would have to join the idiots and head for the battlefield. There were warriors, and then there were blind followers of a meaningless ideal. This man was seeking the latter and would surely find it.

Beau picked up his glass and walked over to the table, sitting next to the man who was now writing, still drinking and smiling.

**If I get something along the lines of "Go away kid" or "What do you want?"**

"I want to come with" he took a sip of his milk. "I want to see the fight."

Dron, seen a few people go up to sign up. Deep in thought he waited for a few more than. You see the well dressed human, male with the Wide Brim hat an staff, approached the table, an glanced at the paper, to see if,these where men of schooled learning or just brainless, twits who could not even write there own names, an also read the document fully. To himself to make sure no one is getting taken for. Well, if nothing else I can see, how well Breland, an this Mercenary Group fights. Perhaps, Ill contribute if Iam impressed with but one intellectual person among them. Hmm. Doesnt sign yet, weighing his options.

Damocles had looked up and payed attention to the newcomer at the lower left table almost as soon as he'd entered the inn, he was almost definitely not here for the drink or cool, like himself or Dron. Suspicions were confirmed as the man stood on the table and addressed the inn, the western border was close to breaking which wouldn't bode well for anyone. If the monstrous hoards crossed western Breland not only would miles of farmland be destroyed but they would gain control of the lightning rail and lines of transport straight into Aunair, Thrane and Zilargo. Of cause this didn't cross his mind, his first though was to protect his home nation and to hopefully survive the encounter.

Getting up and crossing to the table with Dron he looked at the paper with him before signing his name and turning to Dron.
"I have to go with the mercenary and protect Breland, your help would be welcome but no doubt Breland isn't your first concern."
Turning to the mercenary he wondered how he expected an inn's patrons to put up much of a fight against those that inhabit Droaam but instead he asked about the boy.
"Do you think it's a good idea to bring a boy, even if he does come how do you expect him to fight or who's going to stop him getting killed?"

Seeing one with such Intelligence, an seeing his friend sign the Paper, Dron decide to help fight for the good people of Breland, not its Politicians, but for his Queen, an if Bre fell, so soon would his Home country, against the evil that is coming. With a twist of his rist an a verbal word in elven, Dron cast his mark upon the paper,an name. He will help these Bre folk, if he can. There hospitality, and spirit, for life an putting up a fight, convienced Dron Binder of Arch, they are worthy to protect,whether there, commoners or peasants. He had to help. Isnt sure, about the boy, but for somereason, Dron got a Keen feeling, the Boy was needed some how, or for a reason. Hmmm

Eleak lazed outside the building. They never were as comfortable as the cool grass on your side, or the leaves brushing your feet as you lay in a tree. The world, when connected with nature, would have much more appreciation for it, if they just gave it a chance. As it was, most of the world saw nature as just another tool, and tore it to shreds to obey humanities whims. The world however, was going to change. And Eleak would be the one to spearhead the revolution.

Eleak was just about to doze off again when a man from the inside of the building began shouting and yelling, addressing the people within. Eleak groaned. He was being way too loud. Eleak stood and shook himself, getting some of the stray grass off. He began to walk away, about to find another spot which would be quieter when something in particular the man was saying caught his ears.

Those monsters have resorted to burning down swathes of the mountain forests, to clear a path around us, and if we dont get there in time, they will swarm over the entire border
Eleak stopped dead in his tracks. These monsters were burning down trees? How could they be so heartless... Well, he knew that they would be heartless soon. Eleak would tear out their hearts and offer them to nature as a peacemaking.

Pivoting on his foot, Eleak marched around to the front of the building, and tore the door open. Seeing a congregation of people by one table, which may be the signup table, Eleak forced himself over there. Arriving at the table, he says "Get me in there, I don't care how you do it. They're destroying our natural environment, they deserve to die. And I'll be the one to do it."

"Do you think it's a good idea to bring a boy, even if he does come how do you expect him to fight or who's going to stop him getting killed?"
Beau mutters from behind his milk, "could kick your ***"

"Could kick your ***"
It could be hard to take serous note of children, particularly when they muttered such rubbish but Damocles still replied.

"It would hardly honorable to fight with someone so young, but if your sure then I'm not going to stop you coming."
Although his discussion with the boy he couldn't help being distracted but the green haired thing that had just entered the inn. He'd seen him outside and counted him as a weirdo but now he'd open his mouth Damocles was positive the man was insane.
"Get me in there, I don't care how you do it. They're destroying our natural environment, they deserve to die. And I'll be the one to do it." The creature was not the type you wanted in a fighting force, a wild cannon with a disrespect for authority. A leash might be a useful implement.

"It would hardly honorable to fight with someone so young, but if your sure then I'm not going to stop you coming."
Beau put his drink on the table and stood up. He was of decent height, even at 14.

"Treat me like a child if you must, but do not disrespect me by saying I'm useless on a battlefield." With that he reached out and flicked the man's shirt, the mithril underneath ringing slightly at the nudge. "I am smarter than I look."

"Treat me like a child if you must, but do not disrespect me by saying I'm useless on a battlefield." "I am smarter than I look."
If he was honest the boy was a good height, he was worth a chance. Maybe he's been through more then his share if he's willing to go and fight at such an age, Damocles certainly wouldn't have done so. And bravery was something to be valued but it's only a step away from stupidity, he hoped Beau was as smart as he boasted.

"I certainly wasn't brave enough to fight when I was your age, lets hope the battle doesn't see either us in the ground"

"I certainly wasn't brave enough to fight when I was your age, lets hope the battle doesn't see either of us in the ground"
Beau nodded respectfully to the man. "Thank you for treating me like a comrade instead of a street urchin." he then sat down and went back to drinking his milk, adjusting his glasses slightly.

Eleak noticed two people arguing about something close to the table. They were giving him an odd glance. So he was strange to them eh? Well, he figured he ought to talk to them, make sure they knew who was boss around here. He was not to be messed with.

Eleak walked over to the two. He looked at the one looking at him, and said "Hey. Why are you looking at me funnily. You don't think I'm just as fit to be here as you?"

The green haired thing had decided to confront them and try to exert his dominance. The first thought to cross his mind after it had finished speaking was similar to 'You can speak common?' but it came out differently.
"What species are you?"
This was quickly followed by the thought that this might be a bit rude.

"Hey. Why are you looking at me funnily. You don't think I'm just as fit to be here as you?"
"What species are you?"
Beau giggled behind his glass and reached out to touch the man's hand, one finger tapping just above a ring he was wearing. "I'm just surprised you're not doing more to cover that."

"What species are you?"
"I am part of the species called Changeling. I can perform minor alterations to my physical form such as this."
Eleak's hair shifted to a fiery orange, while his skin changed colour to black as night.

"I am native to Breland, and am part of a tribe to the north. I have been gifted with the ferocity of nature since birth, and have been made different from a typical member of my race."
touch the man's hand, one finger tapping just above a ring he was wearing. "I'm just surprised you're not doing more to cover that."
Eleak jerked his hand back. "You! Kid, I'd be worrying more about growing pains and awkwardness before you should worry about baubles. What do you think this ring means?"