[b][H2]The Gathering[/h2][/b] [hr] The Hero Guard, a prestigious and often dangerous position that in the end brough wealth and fame to whoever had the pleasure of holding it. However, attaining the position is a hard and often impossible process, but you decided to go for it anyways. Whether you are trying to become the guard out of pure heroic delight or as an arrogant grab at fame, the choice all led to the same place. To the city of Neverwinter, where the hero had lifted the siege and began the campaign against the undead horde of the dastardly Arch-Lich. Not only was there a memorial of those who had fallen during the siege in the city market place but also a statue commemorating the kobold hero right in front of the gates to greet any who come. It is almost symbolically fitting that the journey of the hero guard should start in the same place as where the hero did, plus the city brought in an exuberant amount of money doing so with all the travelers that would come for [b]”The Gathering”[/b]. The Gathering is a time where any prospecting adventurer wishes to join the hero guard, this only occurs when the previous guard is getting close to retirement and instead become teachers for the new guard. The event is announced two years in advance, allowing ample time for any from around the world to try and get to the event and get their affairs in order. As you enter the city, whether it be by boat or by road, you are halted by a guard who asks of your intentions. Your answer made the guard let out a sigh and point you in the right direction. “Good luck,” you hear him mutter under his breath as you walk towards a field about half a mile away from the city wall. You can see a gathering of people being sorted just outside a small wooden palisade at the entrance of a large, forest that stretched for miles upon miles. Of course like any Good Samaritan or by being rude and shoving your way through, waited or pushed yourself to the front of the long line. From there a guard stood and told you to hold out your right arm, he tied a yellow sash around your elbow and told you to go find others of your color. That would be your team, the people who would be in the hero guard with you. Inside the palisade was a tight fit, only allowing people movement through the crowds or the edges, but it was an enclosed space with hundreds of people, maybe near a thousand, what would one expect? There was a stage with an old human standing, conversing with a few other humans and elves. Then you noticed the kobold, the same one from the statue was in deep conversation with the rest as well. However, any hope of getting closer to the stage would be dashed as guards held people away by at least five feet. Best to find your team members now.