Twas the night of November 22 in the year of our lord 2014, tention was high amoungst the ranks of the brave Vop batallion. Our ranks were many but we knew it would not be enough to best the dreaded shadow wyrm of legends, so we traveled from city to city pooling what rescources we could to enlist as many mercenaries and vagabonds we could find. We then met upon the docks of the great city occolo where we ventured forth into the very jaws of death itself. We met the dreaded wyrm in fierce combat and many a fine brave man was lost, it very well could have been us all if it were not for the great master bard Brolin and his mighty harp of soothing sweet dragon nothings. In the end we truimphed over the wyrm, but at a great cost. Lest us not forget the brave men who fought vailiantly and died on this dark day.
There a feats in this realm which call for accolades of men and which merit a king’s purse as reward. There are deeds so daring and bold, that they demand the reverence of those who bear witness. And then there are those endeavors which are so unbelievably implausible that the mere mention of them is discounted as fairy tales and dreams. There is one such dream that has enticed Jupiter since the day he set foot in this realm and stumbled upon the den of the darkest class of serpents he had ever beheld. Time and again, he had persuaded his fellows to attempt to challenge the creature without the conventional companion of a dragon handler and a pair of drakes. Once he had taken them on with naught but a bag of mana draining wands, twice the dark dragons had fallen to a squad of archers, but never had he succeeded in taking on a shadow wyrm without keeping them at a distance. This is the tale of the heroes who shall forever be known as Shadow Clave, those who smote the dreaded wyrm with worn blade and blunt hammers. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The great summoner battles concluded, and left Borin wondering what more the night had in store. He hefted the purse and breathed contentedly. The night had been good to him so he thought it best to repay the universe by paying for a round of strong ale for any who would hear this tales. At the tavern on the island of Occlo, Borin found no shortage of would-be adventurers. His stories held them slightly mesmerize as he told them how he and a crazy wizard had once tracked down a three headed ettin deep in the southern forests. His story telling captured the attention of one man in particular; Duece had found his way to Occlo that night the same way as the other armor clad warriors and shrewdly equipped adventurers. Duece was about to press forward and get Borin’s attention when the tavern doors flew open and in waltzed a wiry old man in grey robes. The man’s age wore clearly on his skin, but there was a sparkle in his eye that gave no doubt that his mind was sharper than ever. “Borin! There you are I’ve been lookin for ya!” Jupiter barged in “Yeah? What have you got? More tea time in Wispfelt?,” Borin turned back to his now dispersing audience and sighed. He nodded to the bar tender and paid his tab. “No, No, quite the contrary, our village cartographer believes he has deciphered the map that was recovered from the dragon’s den. Come!” he motioned to Borin and nodded to Duece who had found himself a half step away from Borin, “bring your hired hand and find some more willing to come! I have reason to believe there will be some very powerful forces that will also seek out this treasure the moment we unearth it.” Jupiter turned back out the door and hollered at Kristopher Khan and Trazy, “Make sure you keep this rag tag bunch of adventurers in order!” Borin looked at Duece with a hint of compassion, but his eye mirrored the same sparkle as the wizard’s. Waving his hand Borin explained, “It’s better you just don’t protest. I’ve found it only confuses the old fool. Besides, somehow his crazy plans have a way of working out in the end. I’m Borin Drake of Paws.” Duece extended a hand still a bit exasperated by the flurry in which he was just recruited to what cause and danger he had no idea. “I’m Duece, new to the realm, but glad to lend a hand.”
