Journey to Cauldron

My name is Elwin. I'm a halfling orphan originally from the Free City of Greyhawk. In my desire for adventure I have traveled to the Sea Princess territory and now I come to find myself on the road south to Sasserien . Many refugees from the northern strife are also bound south. I have met a likable dwarf named Snorri, and an elf type scout, (maybe a half-elf). We converse during the long days marches. Also traveling with us is Brak a very large human Cleric. He spends his mornings exercising, and the evening chopping wood and praying to his god. We come upon a woman on a mule. She says her name is Leena Darkwater from Darkwell. She has wonderful stories to tell and requests only that we also tell her ours. She was apprenticed to the enchanter Lord Arbendor in the city of Monmerg. The Lord worked extensively with the local Nobility. During Needfest past, a group of assassins attacked these nobles and systematically exterminated them one by one. It seems that the Leena’s master was visiting one of the nobles during the attacks and was killed along with his acquaintance. The Scarlet Brotherhood was suspected, but the local inhabitants showed no inclination for accusation. When hearing of this, she grabbed up everything of value to her that she could carry, climbed on the mule and fled. She now finds herself sharing the road and her stories with us.
We arrive at Sasserien, and as we seem to enjoy each other’s company, decide to travel on together. In Sasserien, we hire ourselves out to the Sommerglen Merchant Company as caravan guards. The caravan is traveling south to the city of Calderon. The city sets on a mountaintop in the bowl of an inactive volcano. We travel on a Forest road for about 7 days. The forest here is menacingly dense and misty. We finally reach the edge of the forest line and begin our ascent along a mountain trail leading to the gates of Calderon. During the day we pass many refugee travelers. We come to a halfway road-inn called the Lucky Monkey. Carved all around the two-story inn are various scenes of acrobatic monkeys. There are many travelers resting here, many choosing to rest in the overcrowded common room. Before deciding on a place to relax, we must divide the duties of the caravan watch. The dwarf and I will bed in the stables and take our turns on watch. While eating at the inn we hear that the while the city of Calderon is relatively safe and clean there have been some kidnappings lately reported. Some of this is blamed on the local thieves’ guilds. Also we are warned of the banditry south of the city. Snorri comes to relieve me and tells me of an arm-wrestling contest Brak has organized. Our powerful priest has defeated all comers and won the grand prize. Snorri says he has lost early, but I suspect that he is more interested in the ale. We leave early next morning. Mid morning we come to a cross-path. South route goes to Red Gorge and to the South Gate. North route goes around to Kingfisher hollow and bypasses Calderon. Our east route leads to the East Gate of Calderon. We continue east past several caravans and finally arrive at the circular city of Calderon. At customs we learn that the wealthier inhabitants are on the top tier of the city. As you travel to each lower tier, the social standing decreases. Finally, at the bottom level, lay the docks surrounding a small lake, and the lowest social group of the city. The Disarming Letter tavern, an orphanage, and several run down buildings are arranged around the lake. We receive our tax stamp, move on to the warehouses, and are paid. 7 gold pieces each with 3 different emblems… the Sea Princess, Cauldron city, and a strange Jester emblem. We decide not to part company here, and take rooms at the Drunken Morcoth, a nicer inn on the customs level of the city. I check on the local Guilds, and find that there is a Halfling protective society. This seems a good organization to ally with, It seems the local thieves guilds here are now engaged a deadly conflict. Snorri and I get settled and decide to travel to the Disarming Letter inn. I stop by the Orphanage run by an oldish Halfling lady named Gretchen Tashek. I am relieved of two gold pieces rather quickly by the wily Gretchen. Charitable contributions she called it. I return to Snorri and his cheap ale.
Gretchen has told me the Jester gold is from a rather dangerous thieves guild within the city. We return to our inn. Leena tells us that there is need for investigators into the turmoil at the Red Gorge area. Also caravans need guards as they travel back and forth along the mountain passes. These sound like decent jobs for now. She has also located a possible rental location. The flood of refugees will be increasing, and finding a place to stay is important for us. The location is on Magma St. above a gem cutters business. Rory Tricklebrook is happy to have us as his tenants. After settling up with the inn and the gem cutter, Brak, Snorri, the scout and I decide to resume our employment on the caravan route. Leena will stay and watch our newly rented space.