Key of Destiny
The Story
Chapter 1: The Beginning
10th Day of Alemont
Life in Pashin was busier than ever, since the War of Souls ended about six months back. Refugees from war-torn countries all over Ansalon spread out, some deciding to make Pashin home while others were just passing through to another town.
Rumors spread from person to person about the Herald, famed bard and storyteller, had arrived. People who were able to catch a glimpse of him on the streets crowded around him, hoping to be there when he spins his next tale. The Herald told the crowd that he would be at the Wounded Crow, and to stop by later for a tale.
By evening, a large crowd gathered at the Wounded Crow. The Herald finished a wonderful meal, and introduced himself. Shouts of requests for stories about Huma and Raistlin came from the audience. After he managed to hush the crowd, he replied, "They are all great tales, but I have a different tale to tell. I shall tell you this day of a young girl named Mina and of a great war, one fought not over the control of Krynn, but of the souls of its people."
The Herald begins the tale of Mina and the War of Souls. The large number of Dark Knights scattered among the audience frowns upon how the Herald portrays the Dark Knights in his story. As he continues the story, various members of the audience began clenching fists and exchanging dark looks. Catcalls and jeers began to come from the audience. The Herald continued his story, as if oblivious to the increasingly hostile audience.
Members of the audience began punching others, and scooped up dirt and flung it at the bard. They ran up to the bard and started to punch him senseless.
Teresa Starweaver had been listening to the story. When the fights began to break out, she ran to help the bard. She tried to calm the audience to no avail. Others stepped up to help Teresa--a kender called Tobin Itemfinder, a Kagonesti elf named Amara, and a dwarf called Samuel Olib Mudbeard. After several rounds of fighting, the Herald fell unconcious and the audience had either been knocked out, killed, or otherwise dispersed and went home.
Samuel tended to the Herald's wounds. When he came to, the Herald's eyes went wide with recognition. "It was my dream of you that had led me here. The sylvan key that is meant for you has fallen into the hands of the enemy!"
Tobin, Amara and Teresa approached the Herald. "What are you talking about?" Teresa inquired.
The Herald explained that he dreamed of an elven object once kept in the Palace of Quinari in the Kingdom of Silvanesti. A former squire of the Dark Knights had stolen the Key from the palace before his flight from Silvanesti. Unless the Key is recovered, it will be squandered or abused by the evil man who holds it. The former squire is camped somewhere outside the city, and it was up to them to recover it. When asked for a description of the key, all he could say was that the key was not a key.
The group decided to help the bard. They ventured out to try and gather information regarding the where-abouts of this camp. As they asked questions, they came across an Ergothian having an argument with a kender. Tobin recognized at once the kender was an afflicted kender. The kender was waving a blade in front of him, trying to protect a female kender child.
"What is going on?"
The Ergothian gave Tobin a sidelong glance. "Go away! This is just between him and me!"
Teresa was a half-step behind Tobin. "It looks to me like you are not getting anywhere. How about explaining what's going on, and we may be able to help."
The Ergothian briefly explained as he pointed to the young kender, "This kender stole my purse, and she won't give it back!"
"I did not! I don't even know who you are!" replied the girl.
"Liar!" screamed the Ergothian.
Teresa tried to calm him down. "I'm sure there's a reasonable explanation to all this."
The Ergothian was not willing to listen. In fact, he created even more noise. Two of his friends showed up, ready to fight. Seeing no choice in the matter, a brawl broke loose. With the Ergothian occupied, the kender and his daughter slipped away.
After getting the necessary gear they needed, and finding that the camp lied east of town, they took to their own rooms in the inn for a good rest.