The goblin tribe infesting the the nearby ruins know as the sunless citadel ransoms a single piece of magical fruit to the highest bidder in Oakhurst once every midsummer. They've been doing this for the last twelve years. Usually, the fruit sells for around 50 gp, which is all the townspeople can bring themselves to pay a goblin. The fruit, apparently an apple of perfect hue, heals those who suffer from any disease or other ailment. They sometimes plant the seeds at the center of each fruit, hoping to engender an enchanted apple tree. When the seeds germinate in their proper season, they produce a twiggy mass of twisted sapling stems. Not too long after the saplings reach 2 feet in height, they are stolen-every time. The townsfolk assume that the jealous goblins send out thieves to ensure their monopoly of enchanted fruit. The mystery's of the Sunless Citadel most recently brought together a band of local heros who set out to discover the mystery behind th enchanted fruit. That group never returned and none have heard from them in over a month. Two of the members of that ill fated group were brother and sister, Talgen Hucrele and Sharwyn Hucrele. They were part of the famous Hucrele merchant family now living in Oakhurst. Kerowyn Hucrele, the matriarch of the family, heard of the adventuring group forming in town(you lot.). She offers salvage rights to you and your group if you can find and return with the two lost members of her family-or at least return the gold signet rings worn by the missing brother and sister. She offers up a reward of 500 gp per signet ring, per person if the missing Hucreles are brought back in good shape, she offers to double her reward. Before you leave she gives you a what little aid she can, a map, 3 pots of cure light, and all the thanks in world.
Cru listened as the woman, Hucrele, explained the task at hand. He looked at the rest of the group, taking them in.
I dont really know any of them. They seem to have some familiarity with each other, though.
Cru thinks on what to do next, but decides to leave it up to the group.
Yes, it does seem like a lot. Especially since they only pay 50gp for the apple. But family is family.
rhoh looks up and examines each. Which of these might be a wand of cure light wounds? Used? New? Price? Y'know the drill mate, we're off tae explore an' we're not sure when we'll be back. We're not sure IF we'll be back unless we can procure some proper healing. I've some minor magical skill an' quite a bit o' more mundane know how, but there's nothin' like a wand in a pinch.
Rhoh tugs on Cru's sleeve and mutters to him quietly that if they're new one of them may need to run back to the others and see what kind of coin we can scrape up as Rhoh only has a tad over 60, and the wand could cost well over ten times that. It might be that we can't afford it. Might be we can get it on credit but it's unlikely.
Rhoh quickly pulls Cruoar down awkwardly again
ten gold a charge is a steal, a fair chunk cheaper than a new wand. we ought to buy as much as we can. As I said, I've 60, would ye run back and see if th'others have any spare coin? m' legs are a bit shorter than yours. Convenient t'be sure, but true nonth'less.
Cru leans over to whisper into the dwarf's ear. He sighs, thinking on where his gold was coming from. His father would have wanted it spent on something good, or at least Cru hoped so.
I've got a little bit left from... well, I have some left. If you think its a good buy, I can split it with you. When we get back to the group, we can have them chip in as well.
Ah really think tha' we should geh as many as w' can buh it's up tae you mate. I'm hardly worried abou' m' gold if it'll keep one o' yes alive!
Rhoh turns to the shopkeep
Ah, sorry fer the delay sir, we will be purchasing one of yer wands in all likelihood, it's just a question of how much we can afford t' pay
Alright. Lets see what the others can chip in. Hold on, I'll be back.
Cru leaves the store and takes off at a light jog. He gets back to where the others are gathered, slightly winded.
Well, Rhoh and I are thinkin of buying some sort of healing wand. I dunno much about it, but apparently its a good price. Anyone want to chip in to buy one with more spells?
Keep your gold. We'll get the smaller wand, and still have the healing from Rhoh.
Cru walks back to the healer's shop, feeling a little dejected. Well, my gold was a gift, not even a product of my own. Its good to put it to use.
Well, looks like you and I will split the wand. Here's 70 gold of mine, you got the rest?.
Thank you, master healer.
Cru walks back to join the group, slowing his stride to match that of the slightly diminutive dwarf. Well, who wants to carry these and the potions? I dont mind, as I hope to stay back and use my bow.
Cru thinks for a minute, before saying again, Or maybe we split them up? Me or one of you magic users carries the wand, and our front-line fighters uses the potions?
The party leaves Oakhurst and begins there trek down the Old Road in respective order. The overgrown Old Road winds through rocky downs, near stands of old-growth oak, and past two abandoned farm houses. The lonely road is empty of all travelers or animals except for you. The distance between Oakhurst and the Sunless Citadel via the Old Road is seven miles and it takes you till nightfall to finally reach the dark and looming ravine.
The Old Road passes to the east of a narrow ravine. At the roads closest approach to the cleft, several broken pillars jut from the earth where the ravine widens and opens into something more akin to a deep, but narrow, canyon. Two of the pillars stand straight, but most of them lean against the sloped earth. Others are broken, and several have apparently fallen into the darkness-shrouded depths. A few similar pillars are visible on the opposite side of the ravine.
Well, the only way to do that is to continue. Just keep your eyes open as we pass through those pillars. It has me on edge.
Cru does his best to keep calm, but feels a few jitters. He's at home in the woods, but something about the pillars and the darkness in the ravine are not at all welcoming.
Hold on just a moment.
Cru takes his pack off, and unties his bow. Using a foot to assist with the force required, Cru bends the bow, and slips the two loops over each end, stringing it. The string looks in good condition, no water damage. Cru unhooks his quiver, and clips it onto his right hip. Swinging his pack back on, he makes sure the spear stays upright, and wont inhibit movement.
Thanks, good to go now.
These pillars have no magic aura of any sort though you can vaguely make out some carvings on them though it is dark and hard to make out what they are.