You meet in a Tavern…
I was playing my usual spot in the Red Dragon Tavern in Triel when a couple of patrons got to talking about the ‘Mysterious Blue Orb’ that had been seen around the spine of the world. They were arguing so loudly I could hear them over my Lute so I couldn’t help listening in…
An Asimar, obviously a Paladin from his attire, and a Lizard Folk wearing the clothes of a ranger of the wildlands were loudly arguing over what the Orb might be while downing ales at an alarming rate. They were quickly joined by a Water Gensai, and a Tabaxi who had been sitting at an adjacent table drowning whatever sorrows they had in the local mead. The Gensai was a strange fellow, judging by his attire some kind of Cleric; you don’t see many Gensai of any sort in these parts so my curiosity was certainly piqued.
Triel is known as a meeting place for all the peoples of The Sword Coast but these were a varied lot for sure, and not patrons I’d seen in the Tavern before. The four of them got quite animated in their discussions as to what the significance of the Orb might be and it was then I noticed the quiet fellow watching them from the corner. I’ve known all sorts in my years as a travelling bard, but this fellow I just couldn’t pin down. He was edging slowly closer to the group with a look of great curiosity and bewilderment on his strange face when all of a sudden Theodore Undertaker the Artificer burst into the room.
Theodore made a beeline straight for the Asimar and Lizardfolk and, greeting them with a hearty laugh, joined in the discussions by ordering a round of drinks from Sally the barmaid. The strange fellow watching held back for a bit then began inching closer to the group. That was when I saw it, the brief flicker as his features changed ever so slightly, a Changeling!
I’d only ever met one other changeling and he was a very strange fellow indeed; my interest was now well aroused. About then some decision was made at the table and with a hearty roar of agreement hands were being shaken all around. Motioning to Sally that I was taking a break, I put down my Lute and walked over to Theodore and patted him on the shoulder. He spun around and recognised me instantly.
“Vartis you old salt! A Bard is just what we need for our adventure. How about you join us and we sort out this bloody Orb once and for all?” I’m normally not one for hasty decisions but if Theodore was involved then it was a pretty safe bet there would be fame and fortune to be found, and besides, I’d been playing The Red Dragon every night for a month. It was time to take a break from singing about the exploits of others and make some stories of my own to sing about for a change! “But on one condition, that we include my new friend here,” reaching over, I grabbed the changeling by the shoulder. He let out a squeal of fright and momentarily his features changed three or four times in quick succession. Theodore let out a mighty laugh and grabbing my hand sealed the deal with a Tankard of Mead.
“Agreed! Equal shares for you and your companion: welcome to The Motley Crew!”
The Motley Crew 