Tavern Tales 1

It isn't often that I tell a tale where a group of elves aren't the villains, but here goes. It was market day at the start of summer when a man named Grendal rode into Breen in a panic. He was barely coherent, shocked by what he had seen. It took a tankard of ale before he could put a sentence together. On the way in he had found a friend's farm totally devastated, with half eaten animals, crops destroyed, and worse yet, his friends body. Well, most of his body. Something had to be done, but the locals were farmers and crafters. Not a warrior among them. Only 1 group of adventurers were around, but few if any trusted them, as they were either elves or suspicious characters. But lacking any other options, the innkeeper, approached the leader of the group as they prepared to leave for the south for dark purposes of their own. After much pleading, they were persuaded to investigate the farm.
  Despite the urgency, they took time preparing. Typical elves you might think, not caring about what happened to some humans. But in reality it was the practicality that all successful adventurers share. Having questioned Grendal closely they stocked up with obscure liquids and oils, before setting out on foot. Yes, on foot. These were not your well healed adventurers, spending the family wealth on trips into the wild to avoid boredom. Rather they were desperate souls whose arcane skills made them unsuited to a settled life.
  Some way to the north of Breen lies a small farm run by Lud and Hazel. It was at this farm, where the young couple hid on the roof of their house that this group of adventurers would meet their hideous foes. Responding to the cries for help, the party charged towards the farm, only slowing when they saw no enemy in sight. Moving carefully they split up to avoid attracting attention, but this strategy failed.
  A creature like a giant bug burst out of the ground behind the wizard grabbing him in its jaws. The stuff it sprayed from its mouth eating away at the glowing shield surrounding his. Shocked, the rest of the group were slow to react. Their ranger attempted to respond with a quick shot, but fortune failed him, and his bow string snapped. It was therefore down to the halfling Horhace and Fodel, the knight of Corellon lanthon, to save their magely companion. While these two warriors warriors raced to engage the loathsome beast, Lud and Hazel watched in surprise as the other elf, the priest Erevan , jumped up and down in what they could only imagine was some obscure ritual. Within moments, several more of the beasts burst out of the ground.
  Somehow, the party began setting fire to ever thin in sight. While this is not uncommon when mages are involved, Lud swears that the Mage was still restrained by the bug holding him in its jaws. Whatever the source, fire proved most effective, and the party were able to slay the foul beasts. As a reward Grendal gave them an axe that had been passed down in his family for generations.
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Cover image: The party's camp by Tanai Cuinsear

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