Tonight is nice. The air is just cool enough to feel comfortable without being cold. The spring moonflowers are blooming a reflective white alongside the road, emitting a fragrant scent as you travel towards the inn mentioned in the letter you clutch in your hand.
But tonight, you don't notice the relaxing smell. You don't see the bright, cloudless moon peeking through the branches. You don't really notice the weather. A light breeze tickles your neck and you do notice the cold sweat around your hairline and on your palms. Finally, a roadside inn appears sheds some brighter light on your path. You peel the slightly sticky envelope off your damp hands and check the address within. You're here.
It would have been five years next week since you've seen any of the people inside. Memories of fine adventures and your single crushing defeat return as clearly as when they first happened. You hesitant for the span of a breath and walk calmly into your team's old meeting place.
The tavern is older than you remember, but just as cozy. Four circular tables seat six people apiece. A fire casts light and heat across the commonroom. The well made oak chairs and handmade cushiones were donated to the inn in exchange for cheaper room prices for the team. The owner, an old half-orc named Jarrick, agreed, as long as you visited his out of the way business whenever you could. He is currently tending the fire, unaware of your entry.
Being the letter sender, you don't hold an envelope. Instead, your nervousness comes from putting yourself in the place of late Lady Sapphire. After the Guardians broke apart, you became a local hero, helping Andoran secure it's freedom amidst the hostile powers around it.
A few weeks ago, you caught wind that a heist was being planned towards the Historical Artifact museum in the country's capital. The guards however, think the buildings magical wards to be impregnable. Still, you can't shake this feeling of urgency. Knowing that you would need some help, you sent word to your former teammates, asking for their help. As you arrive at your chosen meeting spot, you are wondering, just how many will show up.
He paced slowly through the long grass. Boots 'swishing' through the foliage as he walked a wide perimeter of the building.
*Just going out for some fresh air...* He'd told Jarrick, which hadn't been completely a lie. Never show your worries, never show your fears. The lines of the old Academy lessons ran through his head again. He sighed as these and many more lessons tumbled though his thoughts.
His path brought him back to the Tavern's sign over the entry-way and a final though as he approached,
*Never show your hand...* Squaring his shoulders 'The Captain' stepped back inside.
Dmitri approached the bar a nervous wreck, did he still have what it takes? could he overcome his crushing depression. it had been over a week since he had stopped drinking and the shakes were just starting to subside.
Upon site of the tavern he stood outside took a deep breath pulled his black robes closer around him and approached the front door quietly.
Moving to the front door, Dimitri calms himself one last time and enters the tavern. He will take a quick look around for any familiar faces
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Azrin clutches his holy symbol, reminding himself of his true path, and proceeds to enter the old inn. His beard is fuller now, lighter with age, and his eyes less excited and more steady. He still bears a solid frame beneath his homeland's traditional light cloth and silken garments, but seems to carry more weight as his somber steps ring out on the worn wooden floor. He looks up, unsure of what or who he is expecting to see; the same old faces, but surely much different now. No one could be the same after the passing of White.
The Captain turns as he hears the footsteps cross the threshold. First noticing Azrin, he smiles turning and moves towards his friend.
Ransaq pauses for just a moment at the site of the old tavern. When he steps through the doorway and sees Azrin and Captain Andoran waiting to greet him, he smiles just a bit. A lone mithral tooth to the side of his crooked smile peeks out from behind the cigar in his mouth. Look what the cat dragged in. he says as he approaches, a bit of a playful smile on his face. He walks over, extinguishes his habit with one hand and extends the other to his friends.
Pausing in his greeting of Azrin, Captain Andoran (Andy?) returns Ransaq's smile. Offering a strong, firm handshake to the other man.
"It's good to see you." 'Andy' says, looking to every one in the room such that his greeting encompasses them all.
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Aye, it is. And you as well Azrin. He states as he pats Azrin on the back. Have any of the others arrived yet?
*Seeing 3 familiar faces, the 2 and 1/2 foot tall halfling makes his way over to the group*
"Captain Andy, Ransaq and Azrin...It has been awhile"
*Dimitri looks to have lost a little weight his eyes seem a bit bloodshot and his skin seems to have a blotchy appearance,
Adalric hesitated for several minutes in front of the tavern, unsure about entering. why am I doing this? some memories should stay buried.... Slowly, loyalty to his former companions won out, and the scrawny half-elf reluctantly entered the tavern. Seeing the Captain conversing with several of his team, Adalric begins to make his way over to them quietly.
"That it has Dimitri, that it has."
Ransaq looks over to see Adalric approaching.
"Well, looks like we're only missing one. What you thinkin Andy, think he'll show?"
The Captain smiles as more friends arrive. To each he offers a welcoming hand, a brief smile, a quiet word of welcome, encouragement, a friendly clasping of hands. In some cases all three.
He looks to Ransaq, "Ah..as for who will finally attend? That's a roll of the dice I'm happy for the gods to determine." He replies, his mood turning sombre for just a moment.
"Still!" He sweeps an arm to indicate every one, "WE are here and more than enough to get things started!" He declares, indicating to Jarrick to bring mugs and such, leading the others over to a table, beginning to chat amiably about random events that have happened as the group slowly catches up with each other after their absence.
"It does my heart well to see you all again, I must admit I had reservations about coming but after seeing you all I know i made the right choice"
*Dimitrious will order a nice tea*
Well let us hope that Marian shows up, What have you all been doing these past 5 years?
Ransaq answers Dimitri before turning to Azrin. "Temple life mostly. I see your mane's gained a bit of wisdom Azrin." Ransaq smiles and takes a drink.
At Dimitrious' question, 'Andy' hangs back and remains silent...Allowing others to begin recounting their adventures/escapades over the past year...
He moves to help Jarrick with the mugs and serving. Seeing that his friends are catered and provisioned for.
The tension in the room is starting to grind on Dimitri(real or imagined)
Well then let me propose a toast to the finest lady whom.... Dimitri chokes up a little... ever graced our lives.
Dmitri will lift his mug in salute a single tear rolling down his cheek
Ransaq slowly and silently lifts his mug. He follows this by pouring a small amount of ale to the floor before having a drink himself.
What have you all been doing these past 5 years?
"I've been doing much studying the basics of magical tools. I was powerless during ... you know. I won't let that happen again."
Adalric blinks back a tear as he raises his mug. "To her."
'Andy' listens to ever one as they unwind and open up. At Dimitrious' words his expression changes to one of a more serious tone, not sad. He too offers up his mug in saluting their shared memory.
"Ah! The food is here!" He changes the course of the conversation and hopefully the mood a little as well.
Jarrick brings out a large wooden tray filled with various cooked meats and fruits. "Here you are, sirs." His proper voice clashes with weathered look and scraggly voice. He lays out the spread on your table.
Dimitrious visibly relaxes as the toast is made, a hint of a smile cracks his stony demeanor
Well friends now that we have that monkey out in the open, Let us eat and remember better days.
Ransaq snickers as his eyes dart towards Dimitri to see his reaction.
Dimitrious looks serious as if in deep thought and looks at Azrin and Ransaq with a look of mock confusion
Alas, even after all this time.Your human expressions still befuddle me. Is it monkey on the back?
he asks in a scholarly tone
Ransaq reaches over and puts his hand on the halflings shoulder, "Naw Dimitri, it just means yur family, and its good to see you."
As Marian quietly marches through the oddly scenic moonlit glen he takes long deep draws on his pipe, pondering what could be so urgent as to reunite the old crew. It had been ages since Sapphire passed, the wounds were just beginning to heal. As the old inn drew nearer with each step the half-elf paused on the lawn, finishing his bowl and adjusting his garments before facing...his brothers, for lack of a better term.
He calmly pushes the tavern's heavy door open a bit, unwrapping his long silken scarf, scanning the room for his old companions. Marian's ears immediately perk up as he hears the familiar sound of Dimitrious' warbling voice. Taking a few hurried steps towards the gathering, he grins widely
"Ah, evening boys! Started the party without me, I see?"
Well Well Look what the cat dragged in. It appears as though the years have been kind to Marian as well as the rest of you.
Marian! Come old friend, we have a spot saved just for you.
Ransaq reminisces for a while, happy to see the Guardians under this old roof once again. "We all just needed a little time." He thinks as he looks around at the smiling faces.
Thr group has assembled. Every one has had some good food, good drink and they've all spent time settling in again with one another.
Tales have been shared as people have caught up with one another. 'Andy' waits, watching and listening as the conversation slows. He chooses his timing and moment wisely. Not too soon so as to stifle the rekindled comradely. Not too late as people's minds would begin to drift off, either too fast towards the future...Or perhaps worse still retreat too fast back towards the past.
He clears his throat,
"Well...here's the thing...A few weeks ago, I caught wind that a heist was being planned towards the Historical Artifact museum in the country's capital." He shrugs a little,
"The guards and constabulary, however, think the building's magical wards to be impregnable...." Andy sighs,
"I....just can't shake this feeling...So, I thought I'd send word and ask for a little help in sorting this all out." He looks around the table at the group.
I see Dimitrious steeples his fingers, his stony demeanor returning to his face What do we know of these magical wards
'Andy' smiles, "Well...the sort of wards to keep theives out?" He replies then shakes hs head.
"The issue of the defenses is not the problem. Just that...word on the street seems to indicate some one else thinks they can get through them. Now...as for a list of the relics within? Knowing more about them might give us a better idea of who might try and break in." He adds.