Subject Intro to Salix and Surin

Salix wiped the froth from his lips and set the ale down on the table. This wasn't the seediest inn in Duocirc, but is had to be close to it. Why had Quarion asked to meet him here? He had finished his recon of the Greenwood Forest just 4 leagues to the east of town and when he had checked the usual place for messages, there had been one from his ranger friend and it told Salix to meet him here. The Sleeping She-Goat was on the outskirts of the capital of Fornax and seemed to traffic in the worst sort of people. There were slavers, bounty hunters, drug dealers, pimps and whores. The slime of humanity. Fornax did not have a problem with this, as long as it got its cut of the profits. The King and his Dukes made sure that they made their cut off the suffering all around them. What was depressing was that so many people were willing to put up with it.

The door from the outside of the bar banged open and another disreputable bum staggered in. He was singing loudly to himself and stumbling his way to the bar. He stumbled over a chair leg and crashed into Salix. Salix could smell the stale beer on the bum's breath, and the stink of flesh not washed for days. He pushed the bum away, yelling at him ?Watch where you?re going, old man.? The drunk, apologizing profusely, weaved his way to the back room of the inn. Salix, knowing a bit about how towns worked, quickly checked his pockets to make sure nothing was missing. To his surprise, everything was there, including something that had not been there before. He gently took out a piece of paper, and in the dim lantern light read it. ?My dear Salix Wealdward, sorry about the unconventional way I had to get you this message, but there is a chance you are being watched and I could not take that risk. Meet me in 1 hour at the fountain three blocks east and 5 blocks north. Your friend, Quarion Smith.?

An hour later finds Salix sitting on the edge of the fountain, waiting for the ranger to show. A few minutes later he sees his friend walk out of an ally and approach. ?I don't have much time. You were not followed, but that may not last. The quicker our business is done the better. First, give me your report on the Greenwood.? Over the next ten minutes Salix does a good job of condensing the last six months into a quick report. When he is done Quarion holds up his hand, signaling for silence. ?You have done well. I have much to think about. However, I have a new task for you. Two actually, but they are related. I need you to find someone and escort them someplace? Are you willing to help?? Salix nods, remembering the words of Stormfather Acer.

?Good?, says Quarion. ?The person you seek is a Halfling by the name of Surin Bitteroot. He is the member of a traveling circus that should be getting to the town of Halburg in Camlost in a few weeks. You should be able to meet him there. When you find him you and he need to get to Gorn, in Shon, as fast as possible. When you get to Gorn, you need to go to the temple keep of the Order of The Silver Sword. Ask for Captain Angelwing. He will get you quarters. Wait for me there. I may even get there before you, but if I don't I should not be too much later than you. I have to go collect some other people. Salix, there are large forces at work in the world, and you and I are about to get messed up in them. Can I count on you??

Salix thinks for a moment and answers ?Yes, as the Stormfather said, I need to learn about the world, and if forces are at work, I might as well be there.? Quarion smiles and slaps Salix on the shoulder. He heads off in a different direction then the one he came in. Salix returns to the inn and gathers his belongings. By night fall he is on his horse and heading east. As he leaves town he whistles once and a great horned owl swoops down and perches on his shoulder. ?Well Noctis, it looks like we will be on the road again. Keep an eye out behind us and make sure we are not followed.? The owl takes off, silent in the night.

It takes Salix three weeks to get to Halburg. It is early morning and he can see the small town from the ridge he is on. Halburg is in the foothills of the SilverPeak mountains. He can see the circus set up on this side of town. Even from this distance he can tell that they are almost done packing up. It looks like he just made it in time. Salix rides down into the valley and approaches one of the Halflings who is busy packing up one of the booths. ?Hail sir Halfling, I am looking for one of your troop. Do you know where I might find a one Surin Bitteroot?? The Halfling looks up at the druid, and squints at him. ?Why would you be looking for Surin, if I might ask?? Salix tells the Halfling part of the truth, ?I have a message from him from an old friend.? The old Halfling thinks for a bit and finally decides. ?He is over there, helping roll up the main tent. Just remember, us circus folks stick together, so if you are of a mind to cause problems, you should think twice.? Salix nods and heads over to the Halfling that was pointed out to him. As he approaches, he sees a young Halfling, barely over 3? tall, with dark hair and dark skin, but with crystal blue eyes. This Halfling stops working on the tent as Salix approaches.

OODM: Ok Jake and Karl, your turn. When you are ready to go to Gorn let me know and I will take over for a bit.

Mark