<div class="floatleft">(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/b5/f8/ed/b5f8edd00708572b8a18821ff1afe5cd.jpg)<br/></div><div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>CRYPT OF THE EVERFLAME<br/></strong></span></div><br/><span class="bbc_u"><strong>Part 1:  The Journey to the Crypt</strong></span><br/><br/>On the 11th of Neth, 4535, a crusader by the name of Ekat Kassen perished at the hands of mercenaries protecting the city he founded.  The townspeople buried him in the Crypt of the Everflame, and every year send townspeople to the crypt to light a lantern from the flame.  They are to bring it back to town, where it is preserved all winter as a symbol of the town's resilience.<br/><br/>This happened a long time ago, but it has been four years since Mayor Uptal has sent anyone to the Crypt.  But this year, he has chosen you.<br/><br/>The bells atop the Temple of Erastil toll their midday song, echoing throughout the quiet town of Kassen. As the peals begin to fade, the first of the townsfolk make their way into the square, dressed in black, as if attending a funeral.  They slowly fill the square, moving quietly across the cold, hard ground, their eyes downcast and mournful.<br/><br/>After a few moments, a murmur passes through the crowd as it slowly parts to let Mayor Uptal through. He leads the way with a tarnished silver lantern. Behind him, an old pony drags a cart laden with backpacks and supplies. Once he reaches the center of the crowd, Mayor Uptal stops and calls out to the assembled townsfolk.<br/><br/>“Once again the winter winds blow through the Fangwood, marking the end of another harvest. There are wolves in the woods, howling at our walls, and serpents in our shadows, waiting to strike. Just as it was one hundred and seventy-four years ago, when Kassen himself left these walls to protect us, so it is today. Where are the heroes? Where are the brave folk that will venture out to Kassen’s tomb and retrieve the flame to keep this community safe for another winter?”<br/><br/><strong>Traditionally:</strong><br/><br/>Traditionally, the heroes will step forth and say: "I, (insert name) of Kassen, am a seeker of the flame."  They will then briefly speak of why they are worthy of such a pilgrimage and why they will succeed.  Of course, traditions are meant to be broken.  In its history, Kassen has had many brash young heroes ignore or even laugh at these time-honored traditions.  Consider carefully what you shall do: following traditions or breaking them each have benefits and consequences.<br/><br/><hr/><br/><strong>Character Index:</strong><br/><br/><div class="floatleft">(https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/leagueofrandomheroes/images/f/f0/Crypteverflame--mayoruptal.jpg/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/250?cb=20120510160214)</div><strong>Mayor Jonark Uptal:</strong>Jonark Uptal is the elected mayor of the small town of Kassen in Nirmathas. He has held the position of mayor for many years. He is a fair man, settling land disputes and other quibbles among the townsfolk. Mayor Uptal is a bit more cautious to outsiders