15th of Ready'reat
Something felt different about today. Master sent me out to Redgorge to deliver a message to an old friend. The delivery was quick so around mid-morning I head down to the town square to take a look around. It's obvious that Master has taught me about as much as he can; I need to move on. Perhaps Redgorge will offer some opportunities. I've always found the statue of Sundabar Spellmason in the town square uplifting. Sundabar is portrayed crushing a demon underfoot.
As I aproach the statue, a crier called to the crowd. "People of Redgorge! The city of Cauldron needs you!" A human man with a white beard wearing the symbol of St. Cuthbert is standing on the edge of statue calling to the crowd. Apparently citizens of Cauldron have been disappearing. Thirty-seven people have disappeared over the last year. The crier's son has disappeared. The city guard has been trying to keep it quiet. The crier feels that the guards have not been effective. Apparently the guards have no leads or clues.
A dark tanned, solidly built gnome woman identifying herself as Rassi steps up to help. She wears a chain shirt and carries a greatsword that seems too big for her. An elven man by the name of Maeglin steps up. He wears chainmail and has a longsword strapped to his side. Perhaps this is an opportunity to make a name for myself. I step up and agree to help.
A light skinned male dwarf with red hair and red clothing steps up loudly. He's wearing armor and a strange symbol. It looks like a flaming brazier. A holy symbol of some sort. He identifies himself as Aidan.
A human woman steps up. She's dressed in the same style as the sailors from the Sea Princes. Perhaps she is a pirate? Oddly, she looks related to Maeglin. She doesn't seem too interested in the effort. The crier suggests that the city of Cauldron may pay a reward. More than just a chance to make my name! Great! This isn't enough to sell the pirate woman.
As the crier seeks more volunteers, I ask him what his name is. He is Adrian.
Eventually Adrian convinces the pirate woman to listen. Her name is Verana. A human male agrees to join after some badgering by Adrian. His name is Kyrin and he wears black and red.
Adrian leads us up to Cauldron. Around mid-day, while we're taking a break, we hear a shriek from the forest. We leap up and face into the jungle. Two large, badly injured baboons are charging out of the forest. They look like they're fleeing something. They look panicked and likely to attack. We all draw and prepare. Indeed, the baboons charge into Maeglin and Rassi. Verana flanks around and with Maeglin's assistance slays one of the baboons. Maeglin injures the other and I finish it of with a bolt from my crossbow. Glad I brought it.
Maeglin says he saw a jaguar approach, see us, and leave. That must have been what attacked the baboons.
The rest of the journey goes without incident. I've been to Cauldron a number of times and it remains an amazing sight.