For one reason or another, you find yourselves within Sumberton, the city of bridges (or the city of ale, depending on who you ask). The Valley of Obelisks, while peaceful, always has work of some sort or another. Sumberton, sitting on the Marrilach River in the middle of the valley, is a center of local trade. Trade routes from Kovakk to the north and Liir-Hra to the east meet in Sumberton, from which goods are shipped downriver to the Sivar Lowlands, Elsir Vale, and beyond the kingdom of Marrilach. It can be hard not to want a piece of those riches, and there is no shortage of scurrilous individuals seeking a share of the profit at blade point. A good sword hand is always in demand to keep not-so-good men honest and secure the coin in the purse it belongs to. A skilled hunter can make a solid living from the bounties posted on brigands and pirates, assuming he can catch more criminals than arrows.
For those that seek a little more excitement than the boredom of escorting caravans and river barges, the valley's wildlife can always keep life interesting. The Marrilach River's banks are filled with farmland, orchards, and pastures out to twenty miles. But the further one goes from the river, the wilder the land and its inhabitants get. Pick a forest, or a canyon, or a mountain range, and you'll find all of the adventure you could want as it swoops down on you with sharpened claws. There's always one outlying village or another that needs a hand with monsters expanding their hunting grounds onto their doorsteps, and they always ask for aid in Sumberton. Even if the royal army can't or won't lend assistance, there's always someone brave enough, greedy enough, or dumb enough to try.
And so you find yourselves (alone or together) approached by a young messenger wearing the insignia of the Chicane Guild, one of Sumberton's largest guilds of river merchants. His master is looking for hired hands to complete a task of some danger. You seem a capable sort to the youth's allegedly well-trained eye, and he assures you that you will be well paid for your efforts. You doubt he is quite as skilled at appraisal as he makes himself out to be, but the promise of good payment does match the guild's reputation. If you are interested, he tells you, head to the Chicane Guild offices, just south of Sumberton Keep on the east bank of the river, and ask for Vintra Marktunsel. It's first come, first served, so be sure to arrive promptly. Before you can ask any more questions, the messenger dashes off, disappearing into the crowd, likely seeking out your competition for the very job offer you just received.
You make your way over to the Chicane Guildhouse, pausing momentarily to admire the fine tapestries being unloaded from a wagon around the building's side. At your request, a clerk glances at your peace bonded weapons before directing you to wait outside master Marktunsel's offices on the third floor. Every so often, another sellsword or adventurer trickles in to wait with you in the hall. A hard-faced human man looks you up and down, evaluating your every motion, as his obvious subordinate fidgets uncomfortably, uncertain as to what he should be doing. Another man mills about, his confidence plainly written on his face and etched into his sharp grin, while a wispy dragon coils and scrambles up and down him. The aasimar sitting calmly, however, radiates a regal sense of ease. If your guess is correct, these are other applicants for the same position that you have been summoned for. You suspect you may wind up working with them, and possibly with others who have yet to arrive.
