<strong>Happenings--</strong><br/><br/>Your families and mentors followed you from the square to the edge of the villages.  The Crypt of the Everflame has various personages that serve as mentors to the characters.  And they are all here now to bid each of you adieu.<br/><br/>For the purpose of this game, each character has a +5 to diplomacy with her mentor.<br/><br/>Father Rantal Prasst awaited<strong>Ria</strong>.  Father Prasst was a young handsome man, nearly 25-years-old now, and he presided over the temple of Erastil.  He was kind and understanding, but had the bearing of a soldier, and he happily allowed the practice of other religions within his sacred halls.<br/><br/>"I am proud of you, my child," he said, a hint of mirth in his eyes.  A sense motive check of 20 would reveal that he was actually being flirtatious!  "I know that Callistria will watch over you."<br/><br/>For<strong>Jilly</strong>, it was Jimes "Short Change" Iggins, a halfling.  He was a waiter at the Seven Silvers Tavern, and he had a propensity for thievery.  Though good-natured and helpful, he also had a knack for getting into trouble with the constabulary.  Short Change was not only an expert pick pocket and sleight-of-hand artist, but a very good teacher.<br/><br/>"Jilly!" he waved.   "Good show, good show!  I wish I had seen it.  I had to keep my eye on that goon there."<br/><br/>Short Change pointed to the Guard Captain Gregor Wisslo, who was there to see<strong>Ballantha and Serana.</strong>Wisslo was staunch, broad-shouldered man costumed in the Guard's Armor.  Though aged, he still oversaw the daily regiment of the guardsmen in Kassen.  A master of discipline, he was... disliked by most.  But he had a soft spot for both Ballantha and Serana.<br/><br/>"Serana, my congratulations," he said.   "You know, many years ago, I too was the bore the lantern.  It is one of the greatest honors of my long life."  He then turned to look at Ballantha and, knowing first-hand what can happen to friends when one is chosen over the other, he said:   "Your job now is to ensure that Serana returns safely, dear.  You will seize the day some other time."<br/><br/>For<strong>Iona</strong>, Jocy Elmaran was there.  He was a half-elven bard, who had once adventured but-for a crippling encounter with orcs.  Accompanied by Short Change, he was probably the only entertainer in town and lived in one of the rooms above the Seven Silvers tavern, where he performed nightly.  He was carefree spirit, albeit somewhat haunted.<br/><br/>"I don't see her yet," he said to Short Change.  He wasn't pleased that Iona was venturing out into the forest, and though he had half-a-mind to hinder her from going to the Crypt, he knew now that would be impossible now.   "Where is she?"<br/><br/>Believe it or not, even<strong>Claire</strong>had a mentor of sorts.  The eccentric patriarch of Kassen's strangest family: Moltus Vardigan.  He had white hair that trailed around his knees, and he stood over his cane, muttering to himself.  He had a dozen children with him, all said to have been borne by different wives.  Though stingy with his knowledge of the arcane arts, he saw in Claire a desirable vessel for his baker's dozen.<br/><br/>"Late as usual, that tart," he hissed and spat.   "I will have her, you know, and she will spill a sibling for the lot of you once I'm through with her, hew hew.  Where is she?"<br/><br/>Generally, people kept a wide distance from old Moltus.  He was a lecherous and perverted old man.<br/><br/>"These are all very pretty girls, I'll say," Moltus added as he surveyed the all-female party.   "Anyone of them will do."<br/><br/>And lastly, there stood Cygnar Anvaris, the angry-looking cloaked outsider.  He was neither a friend nor a mentor.  He stood there, a grim expression on his countenance.  Was it rage?  Was it concern?  He was a rather solitary man with few words for anyone, and no one knew much about him except that he was unfriendly, unamiable, and somewhat miserable.  He eyed<strong>Serana</strong>intensely.  But why?<br/><br/><em>Revised for grammar.</em>