To the Gates of Hell
In Silverymoon, one of the last, safe havens of our dangerous world, one merchant sought out his team to protect his caravan on the way to The Wall. He found Culkin, an experienced human paladin who asked no questions. Fifty gold was fifty gold, after all.
Krahm, a half-orc fighter with a grudge, discovered one of his targets, Kendrick, had joined the caravan as a guard. Stalking his prey through the night, Krahm began plotting.
Rogull, heavy questions weighing on his mind, sought out General Aratril, Singer of Blades. Though Aratril could not offer the information Rogull needed, he did provide one bit of insight: he had just spoken with a man, a merchant, who knew of Rogull’s tribe. The man offered an invitation to join his caravan. With questions unanswered but a tenuous link in the stranger, Rogull agreed to join the caravan.
In a productive meeting with his mentor, Logan watched him demonstrate his fortune-telling skills one final time. He drew the following cards: Healer, Merchant, Paladin, Wizard, Druid, Swashbuckler, Rogue. At last, Logan was given his own deck of tarot cards. But the fate drawn for him urged his mentor to give him one last warning: A merchant will approach you. Do you not miss your opportunity.
Sure enough, that afternoon, as Logan alone tended his parents’ alchemy shop, a merchant approached him as he practiced with his deck. He invited Logan along as a member of his guard. Seeing the path unfold before him as the cards foretold, Logan eagerly prepared for his journey.
The following morning, as the sun brightened the dawn sky with its touch, the caravan gathered at the southern gates of Silverymoon. Logan, Kendrick, and Rogull, along with another man, already drunk, a half-elf named Ajinir. Culkin nearly arrived late with his daughter, Nyfi, in tow. Rather, Nyfi dragged him behind her.
The merchant introduced himself as Seth.
The caravan set off bound for The Wall surrounding Waterdeep. Krahm decided to follow the caravan, wishing to stay hidden from Kendrick.
A plan which he completely abandoned that night. As the guards alternated watch duty, Krahm attempted, unsuccessfully, to sneak into camp and confront Kendrick. Logan instantly suspected the half-orc and fetched Seth. Kendrick woke at the ruckus created by Krahm’s “sneaking” into camp.
Kendrick accused Krahm of trying to kill him. Krahm did not deny it. It came to light that Kendrick had mutinied his ship. Krahm and the ship’s captain had been among the victims. Ultimately, when no decision could be reached, Seth decided the only way to solve it would be trial-by-combat.
They agreed. Krahm and Kendrick faced off against each other and Krahm emerged victorious. The following morning, when Krahm could get no more answers from Kendrick about the other mutineers, Kendrick was left behind with his belongings to make the return trip to Silverymoon alone. Krahm joined the caravan to replace the missing guard.
Ultimately, despite getting off on the wrong foot, Krahm held up his end of the bargain, guarding the caravan with the utmost dedication. Within the week, the guards had bonded.
When Rogull smelled something up ahead, the guards prepared to protect the caravan. Orcs beset the caravan, though their ambush had been thwarted by Rogull’s perceptive nose. But within seconds, a large, red dragon immolated the rear wagons.
Seth ordered a retreat to a nearby mountain. As the guards raced through the treeline, the dragon’s breath consumed the remaining wagon, as well as Rogull’s poor horse. As they neared the mountain, they found its surface shimmered, as if the surface of a pond. With the dragon closing in and more of the forest catching fire, they raced for the strange, liquid mountain.
As they breached the surface, they fell through a portal. They appeared in a strange looking village made entirely of misshapen metal. At the edge of town, two giant cogwheels, one laid flat on the ground, the other upright. Another portal appeared within the upright cogwheel.
Some people stepped out of the buildings in town. People made of mechanical parts and scraps of metal. Among them, to the party’s surprise, Aratril stepped out and spoke to them.
“He said you would all make it here. He said there was no way you could miss it. So, I’m here to get you home when this is over, but you were all pre-ordained to see what is about to happen.”