Chapter 1: Dining with Devils

Late in the day, Kilkas Stoutbelly--a Dwarven Priest of Moradin--was nearing the town of Green Vale. He saw an armored girl, seemingly unconscious, under a tall tree that had clearly been struck by lightning. He went over to check her vitals, and she stirred as he approached. He asked her who she was, and what happened. All she could reply was, “I dunno.” The dwarf, uncomfortable with ‘hey you,’ felt ‘Aida Kno’ to be a fitting pseudonym. He helped her collect her things, and get to her feet. They continued towards town.

A few minutes down the road, they heard a pained war cry. “I must help if I can.” stated Kilkas as he sprinted into the woods, toward the scream. Aida, not finding anything more interesting, followed the dwarf easily. They approached a clearing where they saw a lone knight defending himself from several spud-shaped fiends. Kilkas charged to the knight’s aid, crushing one of the fiends instantly with his mighty hammer. Aida found a sling wrapped around her right hand, gathered a few stones, and sent them flying at the little devils; unfortunately missing hopelessly.

The commotion attracts a sorcerer (who had been traveling the road as well) and two rangers (who were among those hired to patrol the woods near the town). They all come running to help, and upon seeing the battle, take up arms against the fiends. The human ranger charged in, scything his chain expertly into the flesh of one. The elf loosed two arrows at the one that was lunging toward the knight. They hit home simultaneously with the sorcerers magic missile.

With all the foes so expertly dispatched, the knight expresses his gratitude to the five strangers who came to his aid. He offers them food and lodging back at his manor. None had an excuse to turn down free food, so they followed the knight back into town and up to his family’s property, all the while listening to the man’s incessant boasting of his ‘adventures.’

Upon reaching the manor, he showed them to the guest quarters, stating they had time to change and bathe before the banquet. Now that the braggart was gone, the five had chance to introduce themselves. The priest introduced himself and Aida. Etheriel, the elven ranger, was in good spirits that she and Jarod, the human ranger, hadn’t been assigned to the night watch, and were able to enjoy the banquet. The sorcerer left his name a mystery for the time being.

All cleaned themselves as they saw fit, and were not long in waiting before they were summoned to the dining hall. Everyone found seats around the massive table that was covered with high quality cuisine.