Session 1 - Anachorisms

Our party, having just been formed in a nondescript bar, learns that there is a gladiatorial competition taking place in town later that afternoon. The prize for the winners is 10,000 gp apiece! Enthused, the party decided to enter.

Rougi came up with a sneaky plan to substantially increase their winnings: hire several beggars from the streets who would enter in the contest with them, but they wouldn't have to actually fight. When the party won, they would be given a smaller share of the gold, allowing the party to split a greater portion amongst themselves. Kriv and Jaden were skeptical, but Kava and Rougi convinced them it would be a good thing to do for the beggars, even if it was just to help themselves out. After Kriv made sure that the beggars would be given a significant reward, she agreed to the plan.

Recruiting several beggars took time, but they eventually convinced four to join in. Together they made their way to the estate of the dwarf Sir Vondal Terisnock, the sponsor of the tournament (the first of its kind in this city, really). They were some of the last to fight, and so had a while to wait and plan their strategy.

When the time came, they were ushered into the arena -- actually a broad mesa cut into the side of the mountain ending in a steep cliff drop-off (fenced by a six-foot wall). A cheering crowd greeted them, and after only a moment, the ringmaster brought in their opponents -- five well-endowed human females, armed with slings and sickles and a terrible devotion to gaudy fashion accessories, particularly pink ones.

These female gladiators, while resilient, proved to be somewhat lacking in precision, and could not land many blows, thus our party came though the fight largely undamaged. They knocked each woman unconscious, and thereby won the contest and the prize (it was actually against the rules to kill them; they would have lost the prize if they had).

The victors are escorted back into the mansion where a female dwarf named Torbera greeted them and invited them to meet with the sponsor of the contest, Sir Terisnock himself. Despite some reservations from Rougi, they followed her to a lovely and ornate library, where Sir Terisnock greeted them with warm hospitality.

As they are ushered in, Jaden ponders what she already knows of Vondal Terisnock. She knows he is a good man by dwarven standards, but is regarded as being a bit irresponsible, as he lost his shirt in some business dealings some years ago, and very nearly impoverished his clan. He has rebuilt his wealth by now, but has never quite regained the same level of respect. She reflects on the well-known loyalty of Torbera to this man, and wonders what they have been brought here for.

Sir Terisnock told them they were of course entitled to the prize, but asked them if they would consider another offer. He offered to pay them 30,000 gp apiece in exchange for going on a quest for him. He made it clear that if they refused they would receive the 10,000 gp each, no questions asked, but urged them to consider his newer, better offer. The party wished to have some extra time to think about it, and Sir Terisnock said he would happily give them a week if that's what they needed. Bidding him farewell, the party went to the victory feast and then retired later that night back to the tavern from before.

Rougi and Jaden were not particularly interested in going on the quest, and wanted to get their 10,000 gp and be done. Kriv and Kava are much enthusiastic about the idea, and some significant discussion follows. In the end, they agree to go back and negotiate some with Sir Terisnock tomorrow. The beggars are sent away for the evening, though not before obtaining a promise from Kriv that they will be paid tomorrow.

The next morning, the four adventurers return to the mansion, and meet again with Terisnock. They explain that they would require the 10,000 gp upfront, as an advance, but are willing to accept only 29,000 gp apiece for the final reward. Terisnock readily agrees, and then explains to them the nature of their quest.

When he 'lost his shirt' all those years ago, his manor was actually raided, and the thieves made off a huge amount of his treasure. He nearly lost everything trying to meet his debts and keep his mines going after that loss, and it has taken him so long to recover that he is only now able to think about recovering his lost treasure. It is further complicated by the fact that he knows almost nothing about the people that robbed him, only that one of them had an unusual symbol tattooed on his/her right arm. (He was returning to his manor one night and saw them fleeing; only later did he realize the extent of their theft.) He wants the party to go after these thieves. He knows there is really little chance of getting his old wealth back, but at this point he is far more interested in punishing the ones who robbed him; he wants them brought back to face ‘justice.’

The party agrees to his quest, and after asking him some questions, he summons Torbera. She shows them the symbol of the robbers, which Jaden is fairly certain she has seen somewhere before. She cannot place it, but she is absolutely certain that there is an Eladrin barkeeper in town that will know exactly what it means. Torbera then gives them their pay - 10,000 gp each, with an additional 40,000 gp given to Kriv to distribute to the beggars (who Terisnock seems to regard as "junior" members of the party).

Back in town, the grateful beggars are given their money, and the party splits the difference among themselves, each ending up with 17, 000 gp. Victorious for now, and optomistic for the future, the party sets out to make good use of their new wealth.

Rougi makes an excuse and slips away from the party, and tracks down the beggars, demanding that the bulk of the money be returned to him. They flee, and while he is able to tackle one, the beggar no longer has the money on him, and is able to narrowly avoid the thrust of Rougi's dagger. When the beggar wriggles free and starts to run again, Rougi decides it is not worth it and rejoins the rest of the party. They are a little suspicious of what he has been up to, but do not pry, and so do not know what he has tried to do.

Rewards

XP: 700
Money: 17,000 gp (in-game award)
Treasure: None