An Evening at the Last Willow Tavern

The Last Willow Tavern, a bustling establishment built on the site of the last willow tree in the now sprawling city of Okepia, was alive with the sounds of revelry. Patrons filled the tavern, their laughter and shouts creating a cacophony of noise. Among the crowd, Bergold, a halfling merchant with a keen eye for opportunity, approached Sinas, a towering Goliath cleric, with a proposition.

In the far corner of the tavern, tensions flared as a brawl erupted. It started with a heated argument between two burly patrons over a spilled drink. Voices were raised, and soon fists were flying. The fight quickly escalated as more patrons joined in, turning the corner of the tavern into a chaotic melee.

Sniddet, a gnome sorcerer, tried to escape the chaos but was caught in the fray, receiving a punch from one of the combatants. The blow sent Sniddet sprawling to the floor, dazed and struggling to regain their footing. Seizing on the distraction, Johnathon, a nimble halfling rogue, deftly picked the pockets of the fighting patrons, his fingers moving with practiced ease as he relieved them of their coin purses and valuables.

Meanwhile, a group of people moved to the far corner to avoid the escalating conflict, their eyes wide with fear as they watched the brawl unfold. The tavern’s staff shouted for order, but their voices were drowned out by the sounds of the fight.

Suddenly, a wizard’s roar of anger cut through the noise, followed by the explosive force of a fireball. The spell detonated with a deafening roar, engulfing the brawlers in flames. The tavern shuddered under the blast, and the ground gave way, sending a group of patrons plummeting into an underground chasm. As the dust settled, seven strangers found themselves trapped below, mildly injured but alive.

The group consisted of:

• Shadow, a human monk with a calm demeanor.

• Sniddet, the gnome sorcerer who had been caught in the brawl.

• Johnathon, the halfling rogue with quick fingers.

• Vorden, a copper dragonborn paladin with a strong sense of justice.

• Sinas, the Goliath cleric who towered over the others.

• Thejun, a gnome druid with knowledge of the underground caverns.

• Bergold, the blind halfling merchant who could see through a magical device, now broken from the fall.

As they assessed their situation, Thejun suggested robbing Bergold, causing tension to rise. Vorden, offended by the suggestion, prepared to defend the merchant. Before a fight could break out, Bergold offered Sinas, the largest and most imposing figure, 200 gold pieces for his safe return home. The group, recognizing the need for cooperation, agreed to work together to help Bergold.

With Thejun’s prior exploration of the underground caverns, he took the lead, guiding the group through the dark and treacherous passages. Their journey had just begun, and they would need to rely on each other’s strengths to survive the challenges ahead.