Role

Chapter 1

It was a dark and rainy evening in Hillcrest. Atrael Elsinore, still an
adolescent, hurriedly walked through the empty streets. The sky had a red
moon, signaling another stormy day ahead. The wet spring worried the people
of Hillcrest, except for the carrot farmers who expected a bountiful
harvest. As he walked, a crow flew above him, giving him an uneasy feeling.
He said a prayer and spat across his shoulder three times to ward off any
bad luck.

During the day, per request of his father, Atrael attended meetings with
the diplomatic mission from Teth-Azeleth. The delegates, mostly duergar,
treated the people of Hillcrest disrespectfully, ignoring their concerns.
The discussions ended abruptly, and the delegates left with disdainful
looks. Atrael worried about the implications of this for his family but, in
this very moment, Atrael just wanted to get home.

As Atrael turned the corner, he noticed an unusual scene. The guards were
missing near the main gates, but one of the delegates from Teth-Azeleth was
there. The delegate took out something shiny and opened a smaller gate,
allowing a group of men to enter. Atrael suddenly realized the citizens of
Hillcrest were betrayed and that they may be under attack. Panic spread
throughout the town as alarm cries filled the air. Atrael dropped his
belongings, and ran as fast as he could towards his home. Unbeknownst to
him, the delegate noticed his escape and him and his men set sights on
Atrael's house.