On the eastern border of The Bandit Kingdoms, one can sometimes find a small temporary trading post. The laws of this region have always been fickle, often changing without notice. For those individuals who did not 'fit in' in most trading towns, or for those trading in wares of questionable legality, trading posts such as these were essential for the underground economy and for information. Nestled deep in the woods along overgrown roads, a collection of wagons and tents could always lead to interesting finds...for the right price.
Elric, a half-drow fighter, was the first of the party to find his way to the trading post. For days, he had been keeping to the back roads and underbrush, traveling away from the Rift Canyon. He had sustained himself by hunting game with his bow when he could, but he knew his body would need better nourishment to continue traveling. The warm cooking fires wafted the scintillating aromas of hearty stew and baked goods into the air. Elric observed the vendors and patrons of the trading area from the brush, unnoticed, as he took inventory of its inhabitants.
The cooking fire was being attended by a matronly dwarf, who was easily approaching her third century of life. The broad-hipped woman was still spry enough to navigate the cooking station with ease. She moved with a contented smile from turning items on a grill, to checking the contents of a makeshift oven, to basting game on a spit like a maestro conducting a symphony. In contrast, an older male dwarf sat on a log nearby with a soured expression peeking through his bearded face as he sharpened a finely crafted dagger and occasionally took the coin from a patron buying some of his wife's food.
Maela, the dwarven chef, caught a glance of Elric from the corner of her eye. With a wink, she tossed a biscuit from the oven over to him.
"Wat ye doin' tossin' biscuits into the bushes over there fer ye daft woman?" yelled the grisly dwarf, Timber.
"T'was burnt, dearie. Can't be sellin' a burnt bun. Gods know the only crusty ol' buns I keep round here is yers. Gods know why," Maela replied with a chuckle.
Elric nodded his thanks and took the baked gift, making his way back through the shadows of the forest and around to the clearing's entrance. Along the path, others were gathering for the makeshift bazaar. Most of the travelers were human, though other species of men and women were co-mingling at the shops. Elric caught himself from nearly tripping over a surly halfling as he was making his way in.
Chord stomped through the overgrown grass of the path to the trading post with his tiny bare feet. Standing just over three feet in height, the halfling eyed every passerby with a keen glare of suspicion. The monk had traveled great distances from the Shield Lands in the south. If he was going to scout these lands as ordered, what better way than to peruse a black market?
The halfling eyed the stalls that had been set up in the area. There was a cooking area between two stalls, both accompanied by an older dwarven couple. To the north was a large stall with hanging game and a surly orc curing meat. Another stall nearby had a gnome tinkering with mechanical trinkets. To the east was a large stall and wagon with a plump human in black and silver robes, whose stall had spell components, scrolls, and books piled around it. The halfling began to haggle with the orc over the price of meats.
Soon to follow was a half-elven man in simple leather robes. Vincent was lean and carried himself with a certain ease in the forest enclosure. Looking about the stalls, he couldn't help but notice the enthusiasm with which the robed human tried to grab his attention. The elven druid made his way to Leinad, the black-robed wizard.
Leinad attempted to sell his wares when the discussion turned to rumors of magical treasures and danger. Elric and Chord both began making their way closer to eavesdrop on the conversation. Apparently, the wizard had knowledge of a nearby town that had been abandoned years ago. The town was once known to make magical items and was a budding center of commerce in the region before being suddenly wiped out by mysterious means. Leinad informed the trio that if there were those who could retrieve the information about the town's downfall and the means in which they made their magical items, he would reward them handsomely.
The trio agreed to seek out this town, and they were given a magical rune that would help them in unlocking the seal that had been placed on the town. Upon unlocking the seal to the town, the group was attacked by the undead. After making quick work of them, the trio unsealed the magical barrier and began their investigation of the town.
The trio found a hermit's diary that claimed that years ago the town's wizard and founder had disappeared. The hermit voiced concern, but the Mayor and Cleric of the town's temple disregarded the man's notions. Shortly after, the town was overrun by the undead. The group made their way with the investigation, leading them eventually to the smithy. The smith's door was sealed, and the party thought it safe enough to rest there for the night.
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