DM Notes
The crew battle for a chance at freedom infront of a mass of cheering fans. The man in charge by the name of Styles has other plans for them. As the tide of monsters and gladiators mounts panic errupts as magic cast by Torment goes haywire leading to the literal overthrowing of Styles. In the crowd a tiny halfling knight begins to attack guards and start a riot in his attempts to free the retched slaves below him.
Freedom at last…The crew is on the run and in hiding as ArkiNath falls into chaos around them. The death of Styles has shifted the balance of power within the small up and coming city. Roric and Kevan use this panic to break into Styles manor and clear out some precious loot. Alas poor Kevan dies while saving his brother’s life. While the two brothers plunder, the rest of the crew find safe lodging in the rundown and leaning Lion Inn. The halfling by the name of Thorry has agreed to help them escape the city. Then when their lives have hit the limit of chaos the wind blows a stranger into the tap room of the Lion. It is Benjamin Lovejoy the famous writer/bard/adventurer he gets the crew talking of their adventures his quill and notebook in hand.
Player Notes
“So I made it to ArkiNath. It was to be my greatest mission since leaving the tutelage under Master Brightblade…he would be so proud, and impressed! Along my travels, I heard talk of slaves being murdered in the town’s arena. It might have been a bit foolhardy to think that a lone paladin could stop this tyranny, but I was determined to show I was indeed ready for such an important task. After all, Master Brightblade did set me loose upon the world to bring about freedom and change. He couldn’t wait to get me out into the world to prove myself…he told me it was beyond time for me to leave. He did make make me a rank four Holy Light Knight, after all. I have not heard talk of many levels higher than that. In fact, everyone I talk to seems quite surprised when I mention my rank. They must not meet many high ranking paladins such as myself. Or perhaps followers of Rosfur have a much more sophisticated ranking system than other paladins and knights…yes, that must be it.
Anyway, it could not have gone any better. I entered the arena stands with the fires of freedom in my heart. Guards surrounded the pit. The crowd was roaring, cheering for the death of the slaves. How quick I was to gain their favor and show them a better path! Me, a lone paladin! I wiggled my way through the crazy crowd, plotting my point of attack. When the slaves entered the arena and began fighting, I made my move. Amidst the raucous, I stomped to the nearest guard and bashed him on the back. He was a bit tougher than I expected, so I launched myself off a seat and used the momentum to finish the job.
The guards tried to strike back, but I was too small and quick to strike with their crossbows. The crowd came to life, finally seeing the harsh control of the soldiers and their evil leader. They went wild, taking up my cause with passion. Soon the soldiers were overwhelmed by the unruly crowd. I charged up to the ruler Styles to end his campaign of cruelty. But alas, he was already defeated. I rushed to free the slaves below, and that was that! I had done it! Me, Thorry Greygrove! I freed all of the slaves. It is perhaps one of my greatest accomplishments to this day.
I led the no-longer-slaves back to the Lion Inn, and we all became more acquainted. There was Brother Osho, the monk whose pride is so strong that he refuses to admit that I freed him. He is searching for his master who I happened upon on my travels, though it was long ago and I don’t know his destination. Also among the group was Torment, a quiet and strange demon creature, with a tail even! He seemed nice enough, and he apparently killed Styles, so I was happy to have him along. There was also Rorick and Kevon, both thieves from what I could gather, though sadly I did not get the chance to know them for as long as the others. And last, and also least, was Grogmar, the smelly, stupid, disruptive orc.
But our group grew by one rather quickly, for at the inn we found Benjamin Lovejoy, the masterful poet, writer, singer, and adventurer known throughout the world. With talent such as that, I could not pass up the opportunity to have him for a traveling companion, so I recruited him to our newly-formed band of great adventurers.”
– An oral story from Thorry