The road down from the Mithral mountains to the main paths were rocky and hard going. Braz was pleased to finally be on level ground and the softer earth beneath his hooves gave welcome respite.
He had been walking the long trail from his village in the Mithral mountains down the fabled streets of Mytros for a couple of days, following the main roads and camping roughly by the side of the main road. He was not sure where this path would take him but it felt right.
He awoke gently, the warmth of the morning starting to seep through his body which had been tensed against the cold night. Although the explosion of stars overhead inspired awe and wonder the clear night had been cold. Braz pulled his cloak tighter to enjoy the warmth. Above him the last and brightest stars could still be seen as the dawn rose steadily. Braz closed his eyes, and thought of Garnox as he recited a prayer in the honour of the most glorious of the five.
He was just flattening the fire and loading his pack when a small boy in bright white sandals came dashing towards him. The boy was obviously scared but was trying not to show it. Braz shrunk within himself but his massive frame still towered above the boy.
“Are, are you the … hero?” the boy panted.
Before Braz could answer the boy's eye led up to the Amulet of Mytros - a golden ring on his left horn with engravings that appeared to almost radiate light in the dawn.
“Sorry Mr Vaca, I should have known, please forgive my insolence - I will be gone” and he dropped a scroll to the floor as he dashed off, checking over his shoulder as he hurtled down the hill.
The scroll was written in neat, pretty flowing writing. The ink was a deep indigo and the writing was formal but kind.
Braz was confused as to why he had been chosen but felt a strange pull, like threads in space drawing him towards others and felt strongly he should honour the call to attend an Inn called the Sour Vintage half a days walk from here. The note mentioned the oracle, a prophecy and was signed by “Calliope”.
It was getting towards dusk as Braz approached the small country inn described in the note.
Up ahead on the path he could see a couple of people entering the inn - he swore that in the distance he saw a man ride a horse directly into the inn.
As he approached the door his hand paused on the handle. He had bad experiences in small out of the way places like this and didn't want to cause a scene. Braz felt his shoulders sink as he entered the bar, he headed to the dark corner and tried to remain inconspicuous. This didn't work very well and the chattering in the inn audibly dips but rises again with little hesitation once Braz sat down.
From the gloomy corner Braz was able to see the mounted figure was not on horseback but in fact a centaur. This majestic figure motioned over to the innkeeper and to Braz and a small jug of wine was bought over to the table.
“The centaur fellow seems to think you are here to join them. Don’t hide away here love” The kind innkeep Atalia whispers as she pours the drink.
Braz felt with a growth of renewed vigour for these kind words headed over to the strange collection of folk at the end of the bar. He was scanning around when a winged figure burst through the door of the Soured vintage, out of breath.
The siren introduced herself as Calliope but at that moment a radiant and beautiful character in the corner of the room introduced herself as Kyrah.
Kyrah introduced herself as an agent of the oracle and spoke about her great excitement about being in the presence of a band of adventurers with great destiney.
Looking around the table it was indeed impressive. Braz suddenly recognized the centaur must be Hippofilius. Braz shifted in his seat. He had heard about Hippofilius taking something from his lawmaster father but he had always imagined him as a dastardly thief, not as a proud and the being in front of him now.
Listening to the conversation around the table he heard the Gnome mention his name was Theo. The news hit him like a bolt - it was Theo Aetos the Mytrosian Academy's master. He did not look mad and reassured Braz he was in fact feeling quite well. Braz felt somewhat overwhelmed when it was suggested by Theo that he may in fact be the king of the Minotaurs, however he was kind when Braz admitted to being far more humble than this
In the corner a proud elf in colourful armour sat, taking in the room around him. Helikaon seemed to have heard of some of Braz’s exploits with a spear and the harpies in the village and Braz’s eyes lit up as he was able to get onto the known ground of harpy killing.
Another around the table was completely hooded, Braz did not hear her name but she spoke with elongated ss’sss and Braz was sure there was some subtle movement and golden shimmer beneath her hood - could this be Alke who had made a deal with the lady of coins herself?
Through the hubbub of conversation Braz almost missed the reason they had been called, their first quest as a group assembled with a great destiny ahead was to slay a terrible boar that had been damaging the lands. The party was introduced to 2 hapless souls who had tried and failed to kill the boar today.
The kind inn keeper offered free board in return for Calliope’s beautiful song and in the morning the party headed out to slay the beast.
It was a long journey towards the Oldwoods but eventually the party were led to the home of the beast by the trackers they met in the inn the night before.
After some discussion it was felt that trying to surprise the beast would be best and Braz set to digging a deep pit with his spear which was magically camouflaged by Theo.
And suddenly there was a great commotion - The giant cursed boar came tearing out of its cave, causing confusion to many of the party. A volley of magic caused only slight damage to this powerful beast as it raised to charge. However thankfully the plan worked and the beast fell into the pit, giving Helikaon a chance to lay a mighty blow on the beast. THe beast reared and set Helikaon flying, lay heavily wounded but Hippofilius responded and slay the beast.
Braz and Hippofilius set to tending the wounds of Helikaon as Kyrah, who had been recording the encounter suggested the boar and the bodies of the dead were offered to the gods.
Each of the party had their preference but Hippofilius agreed to allow Braz make the dedication to Mytros.
Whilst burning incense, making an incantation and ensuring the dead were equipped for their journey to the afterlife the first step on a long journey had begun.