The Party Forms

The party forms under the leadership of Prince Faelon, a "rogue" prince who has displeased his father because of his tendency toward being a playboy. Prince Faelon is determine to prove his father wrong by winning his own lands and fortunes without the support of his father. Taking a considerable sum of money, he journeys to the river port of Memphis in far away Sinepaxia. He is accompanied by his trusted advisor Lluan and his bodyguard Kevyn.

Once in Sinepaxia, he hires the services of two scouts who claim to be natives of the area and who may help him in his quest. The first of these is a Porfian archer named Jason Hawksclaw who has exhibited a proclivity to speak with his actions rather than his words. This second is Massaquoit Barkeater and Occopannac medicine man who is sort of a mix between Grizzly Adams, Daniel Boone and Quinn Medicine Woman.

Crumly

Acting upon rumors that the steward of Telero, Sir Donald Snodgrass, is hiring adventurers, the party moves inland from Memphis, stopping at a hamlet named Crumly. In Crumly, Faelon sends his bodyguard and Algonquin scouts into an inn to ensure that the accommodations are worthy of his great personage.

Inside the party encounters a number of NPCs

• Fenton Ermery --- A drunk at the bar who tries to pick a fight with Kevyn. Kevyn handcuffs Fenton easily and as a result his authority is challenged by a Templar.
• Stien Celtos --- A low level Templar / paladin who very nearly "arrests" Josh for exceeding the limits of his authority. Stien claims that Josh looks suspiciously like a person who is wanted in the theft of an important cape. He searches Kevyn thoroughly and releases him.
• Sandy Dunston --- A "ranger" who has knowledge of goblin trading routes. Sandy appears to be primarily motivated by greed.
  
• Gene Parmesian --- Sandy's sidekick, a master of disguises who is currently posing as a beggar. Gene is mysterious and talks little.
  
• Sally Forth --- A nasty parasite-infected prostitute who proves that Prince Faelon's father (King Faelon II) might be correct to assume that Prince Faelon is not yet ready for responsibility

Sandy Dunston is very interested in meeting Massaquoit's employer when she learns from Massaquoit that Faelon is (according the Occopannac) "loaded". Sandy approaches Faelon about a possible joint venture ambushing a goblin trade caravan.

Ambush of the Goblin Caravan

The party is intrigued by the idea of ambushing the goblin caravan. Together with Gene Parmesian, Jason Hawksclaw and Sandy scout the possible location of the ambush. After the story checks out, the group stages an impressive ambush of a group of worg riders. However, Jason Hawksclaw distrusts the newcomers and takes advantage of the confusion caused by the melee to take pot-shots at Gene Parmesian. Gene Parmesian is inititially unaware of the attack but when he feels threatened he reveals a secret hidden beneath the "beggar's rags" which he wears. Gene waves a brilliant red and yellow cape and "poof" in a puff of smoke he is gone. (Weeks later, the party later learns this is a Cape of the Mountebank.)

Faelon witnesses the attempted murder but is slow to react, perhaps flabbergasted by the Jason's decisiveness.

Sandy Dunston is outraged that she and her partner help arranged a mutually beneficial business relationship, only to have the tables turned against her and Gene. Using a bit of the bodyguard's diplomatic skills, and Faelon's charm, the party talks Sally into taking some smaller portion of the treasure and parting ways.

Later the next day, after camping the party is ambushed. They have several sleep spells cast upon them and when they awaken the horses, and all carried goods are gone. Faelon and company are now penniless, without horses and without weapons in a strange and distant wilderness.