It was just a few hours after sunrise, the skies were clear and the wind was calm. It sounded much like a normal day. But, it was never just an ordinary day. This day was when the quest for the Ember Peaks began, the day when the brave adventurers started to form their bond. At Fort Goldface were a bunch of guards lined up, and a carriage was waiting just outside of it. A noble was in there, waiting for the arrival of those who were brave enough to accept the call. To his sides were his loyal advisors, writing down notes and predicting what would happen. To the left of them were some treasurers, counting and calculating the rewards to be given if the quest would be a success. The doors of the fort opened. A man in armor slowly walking towards the noble. "I am here for the quest of Ember Peaks.", he said in a serious tone. The noble answered back to him, "Are you sure? Many have ventured there and never returned." The man in armor replied, "I assure you, I will return with the creature's heart." "Very well then.", the noble said, "I require your name, in order to entitle the reward to you. If you ever finish this journey that is." "Ivan Rischter.", he said. "My, my! The Victor's Hand! Pardon me for not recognizing you.", the noble said in surprise. "Whether you recognize me or not is irrelevant. What matters is remembering.", Ivan said. The loyal advisors of the noble then unfolded a scroll, and wrote his name on it. "I assume you are fine with waiting?", the noble said to Ivan. "Yes.", Ivan replied as he put his back against a nearby wall.

Alurat the Rune Maker Fort Goldface A travel stained cloak clung to the stranger's shoulders as he departed the city of Tremshire. Fort Goldface rose in the distance, a short walk away from the city limits. A thin cloud of dust rose behind Alurat, kicked up by his horses hooves, which marked his passage on the road. This seemed likely to be a simple venture, but worth investigating none the less. If the creature was magical in nature he might learn something that would further his research, and magical or not he stood to make a profitable reward for hunting it down. He expected there to be a small party of mercenaries. He didn't like working with others, there was always a risk of conflicting motives and goals, but it would likely not prove detrimental to his own aims. As he mused, he closed the distance with the fort and the doors opened before him. Alurat reined in his horse in the fort's courtyard, before a noble and his retinue. A man leaning against the wall looked distinctly out of place, and he had no doubt that they would be one of his companions on this job. "I'm here to slay a monster," he stated without preamble, pulling back his hood and revealing a stern face marked with runic tattoos and framed with red locks which hid his pointed ears.

Sophia Pax walked proudly up the path to fort Goldface. Her twin swords rested comfortably on her hips. She looked at the large walls of the fortress as she approached and the only thought that comes to mind is how much force would it take to bring those walls down? Magic could be used but it would be pointless without a large force to storm in through the gap and overwhelm the defenders. Speaking of defenders, the defenders could use magic t prevent magic from breaching the walls. Every answer seemed like it could be countered and negated. The fortress would fall only if the will existed to destroy it. That was true about most things. Sophia knew that this line of thought was not relevant to any mission she would be on, but it kept her from getting bored as she walked up to the gates. The gates opened for Sophia as she approached. She did not show her surprise, but she did expect that she would have to introduce herself before being granted access to the fort. Maybe she looked like enough of a mercenary that she didn't need to introduce herself. That was fine with her. She walked forward spotting two men before a noble and his advisers. She approaches and politely performs a curtsy. She says, "I am known as Sophia Pax. Despite my name, I relish in combat. I have head this is where I come for a quest to the Ember peaks. I offer my swords."

Honoka, The Archangel City of Tremshire In the city of Tremshire an unusual figure had entered the town quietly disturbing nothing in its steps, and had entered the local church the several nights before. The stranger had spent the first night there in silence, however the next day the stranger was no longer a mystery and was revealed to be what most of the people believed to be a ordinary paladin. And thus, she was deemed to be no longer of importance to be kept an eye on. However, the church would mostly likely disagree to what the people of Tremshire had believed as The Archangel had visited their church to help relieve the problem at the Silverbeard's Mines, in the Ember Peaks. Honoka had spent the past several days in the shallower sections of the mountains and found the entrance to several mines however, without the confirmation of the noble she was unsure but had lodged a new dagger with a cross etched into the metal, into the entrances off all the caves she had found before leaving. It was the finally day she was spending in the town, and had apologized but thanked the local church for their kindness in letting her stay and had now left to Fort Goldface where she was to meet the noble. Fort Goldface The gates of Fort Goldface were intriguing to Honoka as she has seen many large walls that had defended fortresses before, and they had good reason to be there which meant that the same should be applied to this fort. However, she was interrupted when the gates had opened for her and allowed passage through the large gates. She had unknowingly had approach the fortress but, she continued on what her subconscious had been doing and entered the fort, slowly watching the gates close behind her. There inside, she saw two men who were probably the advisers of the noble who stood behind them. Aside of them were the treasurers who had been bluntly counting money in front of from what she could count three other individuals who had came for the same quest, most likely. "I am here to relieve you and the city of their problem" Honoka had said before looking at the side where the other adventurers stood "You may simply call me Honoka, and before anything else are those the others who will be partaking in this ordeal?" She asked taking notice of Ivan Rischter in particular, as his two noticeable broadswords and not to mention armor had stood out from the other two. While the other girl with the twin swords also stood out and not to mention the shady man with a rune on his right hand, that she noticed.

The doors opened, and a man entered the Fort once again. The man walked towards the noble, and unveiled his hood as he spoke. "What is your name?", the noble asked as Alurat unveiled his hood. The doors opened again. This time, an elven girl went and spoke up to the noble. To the elven girl, Sophia Pax, the noble said, "Very well, Sophia Pax. You shall be rewarded accordingly when the quest is done." The advisors of the noble opened the scroll once again, and wrote her name on it. Then, after Honoka entered, the advisors wrote her name as she spoke it. The noble then, answered he question. "Yes, Honoka. They are your allies in this quest. I do believe that all of you would get along." - Ivan observed the people who entered the fort. "A rune magician, an elf with two swords and a paladin.", he thought to himself. To him, they seemed unfit for the quest. To him, they were like recruits going to a veteran's mission. But for most of his experiences,he learned that it was not good to underestimate anyone. He raised his back from leaning, and stared out the nearby window. The scenery was clear, there was nothing but the wind and the ground outside. The peaks of red and yellow standing calmly as it waited for anyone to venture. "What kind of creature would be up there..", he murmured.

"Alurat...Alurat Tihr." He dismounted, handing his reins to what he presumed was a stable boy. Including himself, four had arrived thus far, which was about the turnout he had expected for such a quest. Tremshire didn't seem to be particularly noteworthy and he doubted it would attract many experienced mercenaries. He pulled the leather glove on his right hand tight as he clenched his fist, expressing his readiness to be off. "How large is the reward for this job? And how many will be in our company?" he asked, directing his question first at the noble before running his gaze over his soon-to-be companions.

Samuel walked up the path to Fort Goldface. This is where the adventurers are supposed to meet? Well, better go inside. As he walked up to the fort, he wondered how much money the reward was for defeating this creature. He hoped it would be enough to sustain his family for a decent while. He walked inside the fort, and instantly noticed the other adventurers. He glanced over them for a few seconds, and walked up next to them. While facing the noble, he said "Hello. My name is Samuel Redmane. I am here for the...err...job?"

The advisors wrote Alurat's name as soon as they heard it. The noble answered his questions. "Once the quest is done, you will receive 10 bags of gold, worth a thousand each. And any item you may have acquried whilst doing the quest is yours.", he said. Then, the noble opened a small book, flipped a few pages and answered Alurat's second question. "According to records, there are to be seven of you who answered the call. So I believe you will be in a group of seven.", othe noble said. Then, another man entered the fort. He spoke up his name, and said that he was there for the job. The advisors wrote his name at the scroll. Then, one of the advisors, signaled him the number two. The noble nodded, and observed Samuel. "Tell me, Samuel. What is your race exactly?", the noble asked.

Sophia looks around at the individuals who dared to take the mission in the ember peaks. She did not know if these people were going to be rivals for the reward or willing companions. As long as she completed this mission, it wouldn't really matter. She tried to observe everything about the people around her from their weapons and armor, to their temperament and hairstyle. They were all interesting in their own unique way. When the noble answered the question about what the reward was, She could not be help but smile. It was a good amount but the way the noble worded it was funny. Whatever she find along the way was hers to keep. So, if she happened to stumble upon a gem in a noble's pocket, it was hers to keep. She knew it did not work like that but it was an amusing thought. She said nothing to anyone and she stepped back to be closer to the edge of the group.

Samuel overheard the reward. Ten thousand gold? That was a great reward! Also, the 'anything you find' rule was interesting. Then he heard the noble. "I am half Fiern, Half Vix."

Fort Goldface Berthellemy rushed inside the fort! He thought for sure he was going to be too late, but as god would have it, he made it in time! He put his cross to his chest and prayed silently while looking for those who he would be a companion to. Sure enough, they stood out like sore thumbs, they were pretty easy to spot and find. So, with haste, he went towards them. "I hope you forgive me, It took a little longer to get here then I had assumed", he spoke to anyone who was willing to listen, or at least acknowledge he was now here and will be assisting them. What he told them was the truth, and he had overestimated his own body. He had no idea such a long journey would have put such a large toll on him! However, now that he was here he was hoping he could rest for at least an hour or so, he wanted to rejuvenate himself beginning the most dangerous expedition he had ever been on. He wanted to be at least somewhat prepared.

"A mixture of Vix and Fiern. How interesting.", the noble said. It was not very usual to see a mixture of races in Tremshire, since most of the population there come from large clans of races and such. Then, another guy came into the fort. He carried a cross, which seemed to be metallic. He apologized for arriving late, when he was just in time. The noble looked at him and said, "Do not apologize, priest.", the noble said as he assumed that Berthellemy was some kind of priest. "You are joining this quest, aren't you? If you are then I require your name.", the noble said.

Caelyn crested the hill and saw the smoke rising from hearths at Fort Goldface. "Remind meself to be askin' about that name." Caelyn said aloud. Followed immediately with "Self, the name, yer needin' to ask them about it." Caelyn let out a booming laugh. Birds flew off in the field to perch somewhere more peaceful. They might have thought a musket had fired with his hearty laugh. Caelyn had been doing this a lot lately. Making conversation with the only person he knew the last 5 months of his journey. Short of an innkeep here and there, and a barmaid, he had no acquaintances. Reflecting on that only made his already short stride a little longer. He hurried with conviction, and saw the line of people forming up to join in on this quest. "Waaaiit!! Do no' be forgettin' about me. The most important man on this mission." He glanced around and saw one man in heavily cladded armor and thought almost the only man on this misson. "State your name for the log." The nobleman added with and exaggerated eye-roll. "Caelyn Dan'Thur at yer service." He bowed with a toothy grin. "I'm 'ere to be slayin' yer beastie ye got up there. Oh! That is remindin' me! Why name this place Goldface? Seems kinda silly." "Please wait over there while we wait for the others to arrive." The nobleman obviously avoided the question, and it made Caelyn laugh. But only a mild boom, he was in the presence of nobility of course. Caelyn moved to join the others.

Berthellemy was happy someone was already listening to him. The man asked for his name. He guessed the man was taking roll of some kind, just to make sure everyone who was supposed to be here was here, probably. "My name is Berthellemy sir, Berthellemy Rainaldus. Pleasure to make your acquiantance." Berthellemy had no idea if the man taking names was part of their journey or not, but either way he wanted to be police and hopefully became friends with the man. If he so wanted, anyways.

Samuel sat down and stared at the other members of the party. Eh, not bad. Better than the slum-dwellers back home, that's for sure. Home. He needed to take his mind off it. He pulled the Swordpike from his back and started polishing the blades carefully.

The advisors of the noble wrote down Berthellemy's name as he said it. "Very well. Since there are seven of you, I assume that all of you are complete." He signaled the soldier near the door, who then nodded at him. "Before you leave on this quest, you should feast." Servants then, came in. They quicly assembled tables of food and beverages before the adventurers. "I shall take my leave.", the noble said, "Good luck, brave adventurers." The servants then left the fort, then the noble and his advisors. The gold that was counted by the treasurers were brought with them in bags. The carriage had left. The adventurers were left alone, with tables filled with food ranging from the classic roasted meat to fine, high-tier meals. Ivan immediately took the nearest ale he could reach, slightly removed his helm to reveal his mouth, and started to the chug down what he held as he grabbed two more bottles and strapped them to his waist. Drinking alcohol was not his habit but he has been used to them due to the so many victory celebrations he has been to. One could see his enjoyment as he slowly drank the ale to fully experience its rich taste.

The feast laid out for them was bountiful indeed, but Alurat was not particularly hungry nor was he prone to over indulgence. Instead of taking advantage of the food, he surveyed his companions. The relaxed attitude of the one partaking of the ale had made him seem to be the most confident in his abilities, and dulling his senses before their quest agreed with that assessment. Alurat decided that he should probably speak to him now, to take his measure before their group confronted any real danger. Picking up a glass of chilled fruit juice, he approached the warrior. "You arrived before me, so I did not catch your name, warrior," he said, implying a question. Taking a sip from his glass, he awaited a response.

Samuel put away his weapon and walked over to the feast. He eyed over the various foods. He stayed away from the alcohol, he had never understood why people would want to get intoxicated. He picked up an apple and started munching on it. He would eat something else later.

Sophia was surprised when all the servants came out to set up the feast. She had not planned to eat until later, but after others began to eat she walked up to the table. She calmly started eating the grapes and other fruits that were on the table. She watched everyone around her but she said nothing to any of them. She did not know any of them and as far as she was concerned they did not need to know anything of her. Only their fighting abilities mattered, and she was certain she would find out sooner or later. She took a seat at the corner of the seat and continued to eat and observe.

As Ivan drank the ale he held, the rune magician came to him, asking a question. "Alurat Tihr, wasn't it?", Ivan said to the man as he stopped his chugging. "I am Ivan Rischter." He then, shut back his helm, and closed the bottle he was drinking. "I'm going to keep this for the journey.", he thought to himself. "You sure are dedicated to your magics, even engraving them to your very skin.", he said to Alurat.