[i]They had all met him in different circumstances but all of them were drawn to this man and his mission. Ever Watchful, he had interpreted the signs and feared that something terrible was happening. Each one of his newfound comrades had their own motivations but what united them now was their purpose. He had told them to meet at a village, in a particular inn, on a specific day. 

Meanwhile, the Watchful Man had one last errand to make, one last person to seek out – the first clue, the catalyst of the adventure. A young man, a farmhand, who had left his home after a terrible attack. A man who carried a blade of un-human make...

It is no coincidence that this young man had decided to rest at the very inn the Watchful Man had directed all his other companions towards. In a village southeast of Woodhaven, a town called Merryspring, this adventure could start in earnest...[/i]

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The inn was called the Galvanizing Spirit. Not entirely inappropriately named – the innkeeper boasted to serve the strongest drinks in all of Brackenhorst. It was bustling with activity at this hour, the sun low to the horizon. Plenty of weary farmers and other townsfolk eager for a drink to end the day on a positive note. 

Thaddeus approached the inn and the folks on the street made way for him, that striking man, his eyes piercing and vivid with purpose. They knew he was up to something. Thaddeus the Watchful was always up to something but this time it was important. He swung open the doors to the inn and stepped inside, his eyes adjusting to pierce the gloom. Lots of heads turned from their drinks momentarily and a few eyes widened as they recognized the ranger, but people knew better than to ask questions. Thaddeus inspected the crowd, his eyes flitting from people's faces to their hips, looking for that young, strong man with the exotic sword he had been told about...

Ah, there he was. Thaddeus put on his most welcoming smile and sat down on the opposite side of the table Edward was sitting at, eating a hearty meal. “Edward, isn't it? Of Woodhaven? I've heard about you and what happened to you. My name is Thaddeus,” he said, introducing himself. “I'm assembling a crew to investigate the rumors of the return of the orcs. If what I hear is true, then you've come face to face with them yourself and the rumors aren't merely rumors anymore.” 

Without waiting for an answer, he pointed to the blade at Edward's hip. “Can I see that?” he asked, his smile widening. “If that blade is what I think it is, it will certainly prove your story true. You can help me, you know,” he added in a more serious tone. 

Thaddeus looked around the inn again. Nobody else was here yet. Well, to be fair, he had told them to meet him at this inn at sundown and it wasn't quite that late yet. He wondered when they would arrive...