March 6, 1370 is overcast and much colder, with the temperature just below freezing. You press on after an early breakfast. The hike is uneventful, and by midafternoon you reach the Road.
Out of the bushes steps Calvin the ranger.
"Welcome back," he says, and leads you into the woods on the south side of the road to where Robert has set up a camp a short distance away.
Calvin goes back into the woods, but a few minutes later you hear him announce in a loud voice, "Good Afternoon!"
Looking over, you see him confronting an ugly dwarf in a suit of really cool looking leather armour.
You all head over to see what is going on.
Orlon - a human cleric, it would appear - announces "Good afternoon my fine Dwarf. How are you today?"
Who Knows - the halfling - says "Man, where'd you get a groovy suit like that. It sure looks good on you."
"Hail friends, well met upon this trail, I am Gonzo Gallahad of the kingdom of Dwardarf, son of Malachite Gallahad."
Gonzo is a short dwarf, 4' 3" tall, wears a slightly yellow suit of finely crafted leather armor over a tunic and breeches dyed brown in color. Boots light grey in color on his feet. He wears a belt and girdle and has a short sword strapped to his waist. On his head, covering some of his unruly brownish hair is a small red cap. He is UGLY although if you look at him long enough, you realize he's not too bad for a dwarf, it's probably the way his nose sits on his face that makes it seem worse than it really is. He walks with a light quick gait and appears not to notice the backpack on his back.
"I have smelled the smoke of your fire and being curious here I am... I mean you no harm and given no harm shall return none. What brings you travellers on this road such that our paths can cross... surely fates request us meet in this fashion. Ach! But I speak like falling water... please introduce yourselves."
With that Gonzo will find an appropriately comfortable seat and plop himself down with a quiet "ooof" and a sigh of quiet relief at unburdening his feet of their load. He will look at each member of the party and study them intently, especially when they speak, trying hard to memorize their names as they are introduced.
The grey elf steps forward.
"I am Valdar, an elf-lord of Dorian to the south and the master of Greyhall," he says. "We are northbound to battle dragons and pirates who have being playing havoc with the trade in these parts." He pauses. "I knew of your father, having friends at the court of Silver Mountain, and I mourn his passing. What brings you to these parts?"
Valdar is of noble countenance, seemingly young and old at the same time...a trait shared by many of his kind. That is the only noble thing about him at this time, though, as his plate mail is battered and dirty, a sword hangs sheathed in a scuffed leather scabbard and his cloak and boots are tattered. Easily taken for any old adventurer, you would not normally give him a second glance.
"Gonzo. What in interesting name. I think that it will round out the names in the bald I plan to write. However, what rhymes with Gonzo?" Hmm. The half-elf lad in front of you scratches his head.
"My name is Jesse. I'm the groups bard, and not good at much else but singing and making merry."
A human with longish brown-black hair and piercing green eyes looks over Gonzo. He says, "I am called Occa." He smiles and says, "I am a mage."
He wears a simple robe outfit.
"Well, I am very glad to meet all of you. What rhymes with Gonzo? You bards are a queer lot. What with all that play at words and what-not. Personally, Gonzo rhymes with adventure and I'm meaning to find me some and perhaps a kingdom or two. You haven't seen any lying about have you?"
"'tis true, Mr. Gonzo," replies Jesse. "Bards are unique, and we intend to stay that way. Perhaps later I can sing you a song, and you can judge for yourself."
"Now pirates and dragons, them would be mighty interesting amusements. Had me a minor disagreement with the fellow who originally owned this here armor, and now you kin see who won. Isn't always old age that makes you smart, sometimes you just gotta get in the first couple of licks and they roll over on you quite nicely." Gonzo leans his head back and sticks his chest out, revealing the fine leather armor under his cloak. He will thump it a couple of times to emphasize its presence.
Gonzo will shake hands with all those who will accept his offer of a handshake and given the proximity of each character assess their trustworthyness while giving them a chance to be really close to an ugly fellow for a brief period of time.
Jesse will grasp the offered hand firmly and look old Gonzo square in the eyes.
Valdar, Tracy, Calvin, Herman, Brenda, Luann and Robert also come over and shake hands, introducing themselves.
The gnarly old woman cackles as Gonzo introduces himself. "Why he is even uglier than I am!" She scratches at her head, which is covered in matted graying hair. She reeks of woodsmoke, unwashed body, and foul food odors. Her smile reveals brown stumps where teeth would be.
She cackles again. "Gonzo!? What kind of a silly name is that, boy? Did your parents wish to play a trick on the world - shoulda drownded you when you was born! I'm Dani by the way." She grins her toothless grin and takes a seat next to him.
She runs her hand over his thigh, squeezing it lightly. "Hmmm .... nice and firm. How are you in bed? Is it true what they say about you folk then?"
Another cleric, this one with shaven head, steps up.
"Hello, Gonzo - the name is Salaam Benshel Thothemon, priest of Thoth, the great giver of knowledge. I welcome your presence and feel that you shall be a value to our group. Welcome..."
Gonzo greets him, then turns back to Dani.
"The Gallahad name is a proud one. I was given my first name by my grandfather, a noble and great dwarven warrior. I am proud to carry that name he gave me."
"Aye, 'tis a noble name." Dani replies seriously, but with an accent she didn't have before.
Gonzo takes the hand of the old lady.
"My dear, you flatter me. I find that my heart is broken and I cannot bear to open it to another wound. I have sworn off affairs of the heart and seek to drown my sorrow in the excitement of adventure instead. I'm sure you would not seek to do more harm to one such as me with your beauty and needs when I am presently unable to put my heart in it."
"Aye, you kin be honest wid me lad. No room in anyones heart for an old crone like me. Broken heart, eh? Well never you mind ... I kin fix ye right up." Dani replies.
She suddenly covers her mouth with her hands, but the giggles escape despite her efforts. She looks up, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Sorry 'bout that Gonzo, just couldn't resist."
He will stand and place his hand over his eyes, lowering his head. Taking a couple of steps from where he was sitting and then looking up again, at the party, he will ask...
"Ha ... must of been all that garlic I had before ... and the limberger ... and the saurkraut. Sorry 'bout that." Dani giggles.
"So what kind of adventure do you think we are in for? Where exactly are you headed kind friends?"
Dani shrugs, "Off to find dragons and pirates, or was it pirates and dragons? Something like that." She grins, unconcerned.
"So long as we have fun, what does it matter. Valdar here is the serious one. Hey, whatever happened to Orlon? Or was it Rayon?"
"Me? Serious?" wonders Valdar. "Gonzo, here is the story. My people do a lot of trading along the coast...both on the Elven Coast Road and from ships. There are a number of small, isolated communities...running from just outside the northern borders of Dorian, to the south...all the way up past Dale's Bane, where the northern ice-cap can be seen in the distance. We sell the people who live in these places crafted goods and foods that we make, as well as manufactured goods from the human lands to the east. In exchange they sell us raw materials such as lumber, furs and metals - including gold and platinum.
"Starting last year, though, we have been beset by raiders on both the water and land. Pirates have been attacking and plundering our ships...while dragons - accompanied by bands of humanoids - have been raiding our caravans. Our losses have been huge...but we are willing to forgo them if this party can stop the dragons and pirates. The plunder that these raiders have taken from us is to be your payment.
"Right now, we are bound for the town of Inner Sanctum, which lies near the lair of the dragons. Once we have delt with them, then we will continue north to face the pirates."
It is late afternoon, so you decide to stay here the night before pressing on in the morning.