The Silver Legion is the longest running campaign and the second oldest adventuring party. Founding members include Gunthar, Terjon, Cho, Blade, Arcane, Laressa, and Maximus. Comprised of a nice compliment of fighters, mages, healers, and specialists they laid the foundation for what would become a powerful force for good in the realm of Faerun.
Interestingly enough, members seemed to have been destined to meet. Gunthar, an escaped Barbarian slave is befriended by Maximus, a former gladiator and soldier. The two enter the city and head for the local tavern for a drink.
It's the early afternoon and the tavern is busy. Travellers from a foreign caravan have entered the city and are spinning fantastic tales to the local customers. They warn of bandits attacking their caravans, of giant creatures attacking a town in the north, and of a mysterious winged beast terrorizing the old forest. Farfetched or not, the crowd of customers are packed tightly in to get an earful of story.
At the bar, a beggar asks for food and drink for two people. The owner hastily tells him to leave then recalls when he too was a beggar and helped back on his feet by the local church. He relents and sends over a decent meal of cheese, bread, and honey mead.
The beggar thanks him and speaks a praise before returning to a small table where a young girl waits. He doesn't remove his cowl but rolls up his sleaves to serve the food and drink. His hands are filthy but the scarred and notted with calluses. A prayer is spoken before the two eat but the girl becomes distracted.
Across the room, she notices a seedy looking man pilfer various items from a few customers. The thief appears to be a natural at his skill and quickly moves onto the next victim. As he notices her watching, he loses his concentration and bumps into his intended victim. Unfortunately for him it is Maximus.
The former gladiator pushes him towards Gunthar who then pulls him out of the crowd. Instinctively, the rogue pulls a dagger but the two large warriors overpower him and send him careening into one of the small tables.
Oddly, the crowd and owner are less interested in the scuffle and continue to be mesmerized by the tales of fantasy. The girl watches more closely as the rogue moves closer to their table. He is no fool and starts to empty his pockets of the spoils. While the two become distracted by the loot Terjon slips into the shadows and hides from view.
As they congratulate themselves, the girl points out the two bullies are no better than the thief hiding there in the corner. They ignore her for a moment before securing the items and pulling up seats at her table. A quick look confirms she is telling the truth and they soon talk.
The beggar says nothing and continues to eat but the girl is quite talkative. She introduces herself as Laressa and the beggar as Cho, a monk of the temple of Lathlander. They were both orphaned at young ages and taken in by the local monastary where she revered him as a big brother. It is there that Cho learned the ways of unarmed combat but was prohibited from teaching anyone of its secrets.
For a time, they exchange greetings and brief histories but soon find themselves eavesdropping on different conversations around the tavern. The travellers have long left but their tales continue to spin great interest. Many are talking about the bandit raids and how they coincide with the recent Luskan attacks to the south. As customers try to decipher fact with fantasy in between tankards of mead they soon tire.
After several hours, the crowd disperses, leaving only a handful of customers spread out between the bar and small tables. The owner had done very well this day and decides to close early. He makes a last call and then ushers everyone out. "If you need a place to stay", he says, "head over to the Green Dragon Inn down the street". With that, Gunthar, Maximus, Laressa, and Cho hastily leave the tavern.
The door locks behind them and the lights dim. They walk a while before realizing they are lost. Except for the occassional vermin scurrying by the streets are empty. It is rather late and the lack of light and familiarity creates an uneasiness.
Someone shadows them as they search for the Inn but they remain unaware. Suddenly, they are surprised by a band of rogues looking to fill their pockets with easy loot. A battle ensues and the party finds they are at a great disdvantage in the dark. Laressa lights a lantern but the illumination is weak.
A loud voice can be heard in the shadows directing the movement of the others. It is strangely familiar but eludes memory in the moment. The party moves closer together placing Laressa in the center and moving towards a more lighted area.
They move toward a brazier before coming under attack by crossbow fire. Several people are hit leaving minor wounds. In desperation, they light several torches and throw them into the shadowy areas. Surprised, the rogues lose their concealment and rush to attack the party.
The odds look even but the familiar voice still appears to echo through the shadows directing the attack. Maximus and Gunthar make light work of their combatants before returning to assist the others. However, before they can close, Laressa utters a strange incantation causing glowing missles of light to appear and strike the rogues dead.
Unspotted the leader steps out of the shadows to deliver a devastating blow to Laressa, where she is nearly killed. Cho rushes to her aid but the rogue slips back into the shadows. The party closes ranks again to protect themselves. Some focus on their keen sense of hearing while someone tries to heal the young girl.
Then, without warning the rogue leader prepares to deliver another critical blow when he suddenly loses focus. Terjon, who had been watching the battle from the nearby shadows is the distraction. He is in the wrong place at the wrong time and the rogue leader senses something about him as he attempts a death strike against the young apprentice.
Terjon runs for his life towards the party but is forced to stand with them as the rogue leader seeks his life. Several well placed strikes and Gunthar falls. There are too many shadows. Cho lights additional torches hoping to reduce the rogue's advantage before he too is struck unconcious.
The battle continues until Maximus and Terjon are finally able to defeat the enemy. However, inexperienced and worried about the others they neglect to finish him off and he escapes. Badly injured and in need of rest the party finds an unlikely ally as Terjon leads them to the elusive Green Dragon Inn.
Heavy rain begins to fall and wind picks up a bit. There is a dark storm moving over the city and adequate shelter is difficult to find. As the party follows the would be rogue, whispers of "ain't that the guy who tried to rob us earlier?" and "we may have been killed if not for his help" can be heard in between the beating drops and hurried footsteps.
After a few minutes, they reach their destination only to find it is now closed. Low on strength and patience the fighters pound the door calling for the Inn Keeper. He is not impressed and yells down for them to leave. Persistent, cold, and tired, the party finally succeeds in creating enough of a nuisance for someone to take action.
Footsteps can be heard running to the door then a loud voice yells, "We're closed! Go away!!". Then, the sound of steel brandished from a sword's sheathe is heard. Tension mounts as the party prepares for yet another encounter then without warning, Cho walks up to the door. He explains he is from the local monastary, a monk of Lathlander and he and his companions were attacked by a band of thieves. A few moments pass then the door opens, revealing a dimly lit room and a dowdy old man with large sword in hand. The Inn Keeper says there are no rooms available but welcomes them to stay the night in the main area before locking up.
The roof leaks, leaving large puddles of water covering most of the floor. There are pockets of dry space which are quickly taken. Cho gives his bedroll to Laressa then prepares himself for meditation. They soon sleep and night passes.
With the rising of the sun Cho is seen completing his morning ritual. The party (with exception to Laressa) are stirring from a restless night of sleep. Someone says, "She could sleep through anything..." and Cho nods before donning his raggedy cloak.
Just then, the owner enters the main area and greets the party. He reveals that one of the guests will be leaving in a few hours and the room prepared for them. Arrangements are made for a week's stay and include food as well.
As the guests slowly start to shuffle from their rooms down into the main area, the Inn is opened for business. Workers are busy preparing morning meals of gruel and drinks of mead. Customers stroll in shortly after.
By midmorning, the party's room becomes vacant and Laressa moves upstairs to sleep. Gunthar, Maximus, Terjon, and Cho meet on the long table to eat and discuss events of the prior day when they are joined by two others. Terjon recognizes them and attempts to hide but is spotted by the elf who proclaims him a thief - "You there, thief. Return my property at once or I will have you killed!" Rethinking his life of crime, the rogue reaches into his bag to return the stolen item but is stopped by the gladiator.
Maximus tells them to leave before there is trouble but the two strangers reach for their weapons. As the tension mounts, guests and customers move out of the way to avoid getting in the way. The elf identifies himself as a member of the Arcane bloodline, a noble family with great ties to the Arcane Brotherhood of Mages. He seems impressed by his own introduction but only his associate takes notice. "Blade is an old associate of mine and we will gladly split you in two if necessary", brags the young elf. They appear ready to do battle to reclaim his property.
But before any can react, a large sword strikes the table directly between the two groups. The owner then threatens to kick them all out and keep their deposits unless they put an end to the foolishness. Minutes pass until the hunger in their bellies can no longer endure the pain and emptiness.
As the morning passes, the groups remain seated and at odds with each other. It isn't until Laressa joins them that the mood changes. Suddenly, the two groups that were only a few moments ago ready to do battle were now trying to get the attention of the young and stunningly attractive girl. Cho is seen laughing as he leaves the table and heads for the room.
Over the next several hours much food and drink is consumed. Introductions are made, stories are shared, and of course, properties returned. Festivities continue into the night with both groups becoming severely inebriated. The Inn is packed with customers and movement is very limited. None are aware of impending danger as closing time approaches.
It seems the rogues have returned to exact vengeance on this upstart group. They have seized an opportune time and remain patient. Posing as a local drunk, a few guests, and one of the workers they ensure all the guests and customers have left before securing the area. The owner has entrusted this worker with closing duty and has already retired for the night.
They draw the curtains on the windows, dim the light, and lock the door. One guards the steps to the guest rooms while the other three setup flanking positions. In an instant, they move in to attack the party, focusing on both groups. But before they can act a sling bullet delivers a critical blow to the head of one of rogues taking him out of combat.
Instead of certain defeat, the six adventurers use this to their advantage and quickly decimate the rogue attackers. Chanting is heard, followed by deafened silence. The lifeless bodies hit the floor but no sound is made. Before much blood is spilled the rogues are disposed of in an adjacent alley and the spoils of battle gained. They have now come to the realization that they work well together in creating opportunities for wealth and glory.
The group retires to the larger of the two rooms to discuss their future as a new adventuring party. They have no name yet but will run through several including the Burning Shield before establishing the name of The Silver Legion as one of Faerun's greatest Organizations.
