Part 1: Wherein our heroes are introduced in sketch
From the collected histories of Lorekeeper Otto Gardner.Welcome, and well met.
Over my many years I have chronicled the tales of numerous great events in world history. From the Sword Coast to the Sea of Fallen Stars and beyond, I have sought to shed light on many secrets and discover much lore thought lost. For the last few years, however, my personal project has been plotting out the history of a relatively obscure band of adventurers from the time following immediately after the Great Shadow War.
Though not much known by historians of high adventure, I believe this little-known band might have been critical in saving the entire Sword Coast from disaster, as well as perhaps many lands beyond. With diligent work I have pieced together their tale from personal accounts, recovered journals, and diligent interviews. I present to you now their story in the hopes of preserving their accomplishments for future generations.
Napalm diaries, volume twenty six, entry one hundred and twenty second posted:
I continue to languish aboard this rotten hulk, drifting ever southwards towards Samarach. Were it not for my mother's bull-headedness I should not be on this escapade at all, and yet here I am "upholding the family name". What a wicked euphemism for being forced to bail out our dwindling family fortune. What little we had left barely paid for the best accommodation available on this cargo-hauler posing as a passenger ship.
quote:
Nevertheless, I continue to make the best of difficult circumstances. Though the captain of the ship is quite plainly inept she has at least the decency to be upfront with these failings. So long as I make it to shore we should have no problems. My fiery gifts are ill used when surrounded by water and held aloft by wood.
quote:
Though the ship is unbearable, at least my "companions" are tolerable. In part this is because they are presently at arm's length, sleeping in the cargo-hold. The Halflings though, they will be trouble - they look far too much like children for my liking. Especially the male, 'Pick'…
Mr. X Log Book, date unknown posted:
The change in lifestyle is doing me wonders, I can feel it. The sunset calms my nerves, which is good because otherwise they'd be as frayed as the rigging. It's pretty obvious our ship is falling apart at the seams and the captain has no clue why. The more I think about it, the more nervous I get - I'm pretty sure nothing I took was necessary for the ship's operation, but I can't be sure. Better put everything back for the time being.
Was careful not to take anything from my new travelling companions, though. I was especially careful with the Strongheart barbarian's stuff, even if it was just a bunch of junk…
Dear Diary, posted:
WOOO YEAH WHAT IS UP??? Agda's what's up, that's what! And that's because there's nothing to do on this stupid boat but sit up and talk all day. Talk talk talk with boring talky people.
WhiteSpyder posted:
Volo talks SOOOO much Agda almost jumped overboard with boredom. New friends are way better than Volo. A lot more interesting, can do more stuff. One of them's a Paladin! Not so cool as I thought though. Agda didn't think Paladins were so… dribbly.
Compulsory Field Report, Brother-Sergeant Pasquale, Somewhere in the Trackless Sea posted:
As per your instructions I am writing this update on my activities, despite the fact that ship-bound as I am there is no way for you to retrieve it and no chance you will actually read it on my return. So, as there is not much to discuss, I will take this opportunity for a personal observation and say that the fresh sea air is doing wonders for my sinuses. Perhaps I should have been a pilot, not a paladin, if it was the surer cure for my allergies.
In accordance with this mandatory tour of field duty, I have linked up with a band of professional adventurers and am now on my way to Samarch. So far as I can tell Samarach is as far as I can get from any form of dangerous work on the mainland. Well, external dangers - I am not convinced our half-orc colleague is so much of a professional adventurer as a dangerous inmate put in our care.
A ripped piece of sail-cloth posted:
HAy BeeF wrating my thots Down toDay beecuse noo frenDs all do! Like noo frenDsekxexcKeepcebut nOt Old majak man he mean! Got gOe nOw croo maD bEEf wrate on big sheeTs.
Travel Log, Cornelius Cent's Journeys Along The Southern Islands posted:
My trip to Samarach began poorly. The ship on which I had secured passage, the ironically named Vigilant, was apparently either dying of neglect or sabotage. The crew's reaction to this crisis was even further vexing, as many called on nautical gods as either the source of their troubles or their deliverance. My attempts to argue for perfectly natural phenomena fell on deaf ears.
Still, not all was bad. The band of adventurers to which I had attached myself were perfectly serviceable company. I would need their help in order to complete my survey and summation of Samarachean culture for the University. That they had sent me so far away, at such staggering expense, spoke to me about the importance of my work - they needed this data about the local superstitions of the backwards southern peoples, and only I could secure it.
Everything was going fine until we were forced to pick a name for our venture.
: It's just a few missing pages. Let's put our adventuring company name in the book and be done with it.
: We don't have an adventuring company name. We never agreed on one.
: Just what exactly are we supposed to be filling in, now?
: Oh dear, how dreadfully cliché.: Well that's just the generic entry, obviously. Ours should look a little more like this.
: Hah! The magic-man thinks we're here to pamper Napalm!: Well you're certainly not here to add to the atmosphere and culture.
: Hey what are we doing? I wanna see!: Hush, simple giant. The adults are talking.: Our logo needs to be something more awesome, let people know we're the best there ever was! Something like this!
: The… Killtaculars?: I stand corrected. : Agda's not great at coming up with names, but Agda think it's on the right track!
: No, no, you are approaching this all wrong. We need to maintain a low profile. If you announce to the world that you are the best they will only feel challenged by you and provoke needless competition and violence. Here.
: Simple, understated, casual.: Stupid.: If people really need our help they would surely be able to get past our brand identity.: You leaked on my quill! I'm not touching this.: No, don't give it to the brute-: I'm helping!
: Give back quill not done yet!: Sorry Beef, I didn't want you to hurt yourself.: I don't see what all the fuss is about. All of these adventuring outfits run together in the mind anyways, the only distinction people draw is on what metaphysical "side" they fall within. Here, let me pen a more honest entry.
: I understand now, we are launching a crusade for vagueness.: Cretins! Tribal identity is the mark of an inferior mind.: Oh, just give me the pen. Look.
: Does it really matter what we put down? We've got a common cause and a common destination, I think that's enough for now without getting into mottos or identities or whatever.: A salient point.: I guess.: Agreeable.: I suppose the motto does leave open the question of compensation.: Tiny man is friend!: Good, then we should all sleep on it. Let's see what we're thinking tomorrow. We're in no hurry - we've got all of the time in the world.
: He's stolen your quill, you know.: That tiny child-like hoodlum!***
I am loathe to admit it, but in order to make a full report on the events surrounding this adventuring band, I must make reference to a previous work that covered their time in history, written by a contemporary "historian" of the age. Though many of his other works became infamous throughout the realms, his tome on the works of these particular adventurers did not.
I normally shy well away from making any use of Volothamp Geddarm's egotistical blather, but lacking many other sources to draw on I am forced to rely on his account of the following events. As such, forgive me please for including several excerpts pertaining to his intimate experience with our particular group.
