Our tale begins in the year 1356 of the Third Age. In the bustling town of Lanador, a band of adventurers finds themselves united in a humble tavern. The heroes of this story are as diverse as they are formidable:

  • Raheem Tarek (Shultz): A Ranger/Assassin from Kashpar, haunted by the plight of his enslaved sisters and operating under a myriad of aliases.
  • Badru (Bailey): A Druid/Ranger hailing from the Djani Jungle, born under the full moon and accompanied by his loyal hunting dog, Mhambi. Sent forth to explore the world of Redmark, he carries the wisdom of his jungle home.
  • Lothar (Yates): A Halfling Ranger/Magic-User from Welcant, the only non-human in the company. With his Rottweiler, Rage, at his side, he seeks answers to the mysterious disappearance of his parents.
  • Toshiro (Shenkenberger): A Barbarian/Ronin from the mountain wilds. Once enslaved by a charm spell cast by an evil lord and his sorceress wife, he roams as a free man, thanks to the courage of a friend who aided his escape.
  • Kohara (Messina): A Paladin of Maui heritage, destined to command loyal retainers known as waku.

The Adventure Begins

The adventurers’ first encounter comes in the smoke-filled tavern of Lanador, where a rowdy gambling table stirs their curiosity. The subject of the chatter? A treasure map whose authenticity is questionable. The map’s owner, a nefarious individual, is swiftly dealt with—a moment of reckoning forcing him to repent—and the map falls into the party’s hands.

The map speaks of treasure, marked with the phrase, “Here Be Treasure,” and points to a location near a small town called Brandonsford. The town derives its name from a knight who once vanquished a dragon. The party resolves to investigate, setting out despite ominous weather.

Perils on the Road

The journey is fraught with challenges. A violent storm lashes at them, and amidst the chaos, they are ambushed by a pseudodragon. In the fierce battle, Badru is gravely injured, appearing lifeless but revealed to be in a deep coma. Despite the setback, the adventurers manage to slay the creature and harvest its venom, securing six doses of the potent poison.

Their trials continue as they encounter a golden fox, its shimmering fur worth a king’s ransom of at least a thousand gold pieces. Recognizing its value and the danger of attracting unwanted attention, they smear its luminous coat with mud, effectively concealing its golden glow.

Arrival at Brandon’s Ford

The weary travelers finally reach Brandonsford, a quiet village steeped in legend. Here, they seek out an alchemist and get information about the village and alchemical products to buy. With their immediate journey concluded, the adventurers convene to plan their next moves, their sights set on the treasure and the perils it surely guards.