Prologue

[Talyn]

Rastlin glances at his brother with a raised eyebrow at Lana's words. "Be that as it may, we should be aware that things have changed greatly since our last visit." he says more to his brother than Lara. "Let us go to the inn and meet our companions."

[Breila]

Goldmoon inclines her head gracefully and answers "Greetings to you, as well," then stops, remembering she promised Riverwind to let him do most of the talking.

[SightblinderX]

Instinctively, Tanis drew his sword and stepped between the hobgoblin and his comrades "What business has a filthy thing such as you have here!?" Tanis demanded, not wanting to draw first blood if he could find another way.

[JadedDM]

"Sure, Raist," Caramon says compliantly. The three continue toward the town.

A warm autumn breeze rustles the great Vallenwood tress of Solace. The great road that wanders through the trees blazes in the bright colors of autumn. The richly stained buildings of Solace rest cradled overhead in the boughs of the trees.

Around 500 people live in Solace, not counting the farmers of the outlying fields. The town is built entirely in the huge boughs of mature Vallenwood trees. These trees grow to their full size very quickly.

Other than the increase of Seeker guards and priests, the town looks exactly as Raistlin and Caramon remember. It's as if time has not touched the town of Solace at all.

As for Laurana, even the elves of Qualinesti have heard of the famous tree-top town of Solace and its lovely Vallenwood trees, some at least a hundred feet tall. However, hearing about it is one thing--actually seeing it in person is another altogether. They are a wonder to behold, many of them so wide as to be able to hold one or two buildings in their boughs. Only the blacksmith's shop (and Flint's old home) are on the ground. Every other building, including the inn the twins are heading toward, are hundreds of feet in the air, connected by a series of rope and wood bridges.

[JadedDM]

The mustached man waits patiently for the two plainsfolk to catch up. He then bows politely to Goldmoon. "I am Sturm Brightblade, at your service."

"I am Riverwind, and this is Chieftain's--I mean, Goldmoon," Riverwind says, eying the man warily.

Sturm nods. "You two look a bit lost...and tired, at that. There is a town not far from here, called Solace. There is a good inn there, great food and drink, nice people, and soft beds. Allow me to escort you there. The roads are not safe these days anymore."

Riverwind frowns. "That is not necessary. We are perfectly capable of finding our way on our own."

Sturm strokes his mustache. "Is that so? What say you, my lady?" he asks, turning to Goldmoon.

[Jenara]

"Oh!" She cries in genuine astonishment. "It is quite lovely." She walks into town with a smile on her face, looking in pleasure at the old trees, trees that were older than her.

"Is that the inn?" She asks pointing in front of her, "We were told stories of the wonders of Solace as Children. I can see why my friend would choose to live here, It is close to the world he loves." She lifts her head high, walking almost regally she strides alongside the brothers, her short strides keeping up with Elven grace.

[JadedDM]

Realizing they were set upon, Flint quickly draws his axe and Tas readies his hoopak.

The hobgoblin sits astride the pony, watching them with a sneering, supercilious look on his flat face. His pink eyes reflect the last lingering traces of sunlight.

"You see boys," the hobgoblin states, speaking the Common tongue with a thick accent, "what fools we are dealing with here in Solace?"

There is gritty laughter from the trees behind the hobgoblin. Ten hobgoblin guards, dressed in crude uniforms and rusty chain mail, come out on foot. They take up positions on either side of their leader's horse.

"Now..." The hobgoblin leans over his saddle. Tanis watches with a kind of horrible fascination as the creature's large belly completely engulfs the pommel. "I am Fewmaster Toede, leader of the forces that are keeping Solace protected from undesirable elements. You have no right to be walking in the city limits after dark. You are under arrest." Fewmaster Toede leans down to speak to a hobgoblin near him. "Bring me the blue crystal staff, if you find it on them," he says in a whisper. Flint and Tasslehoff look at each other, then to Tanis. Had they heard right? A blue crystal staff?

"If they resist," adds Fewmaster Toede, "kill them."

With that, he yanks on the reins, flicks his mount with a riding crop, and gallops off down the path toward town.

"Goblins! In Solace! This new Theocrat has much to answer for!" Flint spats. He plants his feet firmly on the path, rocking back and forth until he feels himself balanced. "Very well," he announces. "Come on."

Wary, the hobgoblins draw their long swords and start to fan out, getting into position.

[Breila]

Goldmoon smiles softly. "This lady says: While it is not necessary, it is kind. Thank you for your offer.
And yes, we can go into the town together, and please tell us what you know of these lands."

As Riverwind had almost given them away, Goldmoon felt she couldn't do any worse by being polite and getting the stranger to talk.

[JadedDM]

Riverwind frowns at this, but says nothing.

Smiling politely, Sturm falls into step with the two barbarians. "I haven't been here in five years, so I'm afraid my information on these lands may be a bit outdated. I just returned from Solamnia, to the north. I am to meet some friends at the inn in Solace this day, hence my return. So why are you two on the road? I don't see many of the plainsfolk in these parts."

[Talyn]

"Yes, that has not changed it seems." Rastlin says as he starts his slow walk towards the Inn. He glances back at Lana and Caramon for a moment before he goes back to walking without a word.

[Breila]

Goldmoon laughs a soft, friendly laugh. "However outdated your information is, Sturm Brightblade, it will be better than ours. As you've correctly stated, we plainsfolk don't travel much beyond our lands. A search has be trusted on the two of us, so we had to leave our country. I am sure you understand we are not allowed to talk about it. So please, tell us about Solace and the inn. If I am correct, the name of the town has a meaning itself, it says something like *relief*, doesn't it?"

[Jenara]

Lara watches the Mage walk off, studying his movements curiously.
"I wonder is your Brother always like that?" She turns to Caramon, with a curious look. "He fills me with... I have not met any one like him before."

[JadedDM]

"Yes, I believe so, in the Common tongue," Sturm confirms. "Solace is a small town, of only about 500 souls. It's mostly a farming community. It's also rather famous for its Vallenwood trees, if you've ever heard of them."

[JadedDM]

Caramon frowns slightly. "He...well, he's been through a lot, that's all. He's not a bad guy, though. He's just hard to get close to, that's all."

The warrior follows his brother, heading for the spiraling staircase that will bring them up the tree that holds the inn. "Looks like we're a bit early. The others probably aren't even here yet." Looking to Laurana, he asks, "Did you need any help finding your friend?"

[Jenara]

"No. He will be here, I feel it." Lara gives Caramon a smile as she looks at the staircase, sighing "I am hungry and tired, I wish to eat, then look later." She starts to climb "Are you coming?" She asks, obviously used to being obeyed.