King's Court

Redbeard saluted the coming procession of heralds and bannermen.
Proudly he stood at the head of his own private 'army' of Purple Knights.
He had previously impressed the Court with his choice of mercenaries.
Under his guidance they had wiped a temple dedicated to Shar, posing as a temple of Mystra, from his town.
Not only that, they had ventured cross-country, rescued citizens, entered the Plane of Shadow, defeated an entire tribe of Blackscale Lizardfolk, killed a Dragon and stopped the Sharran priests from tearing a hole in the fabric of reality.. at least, that is what they had told him.
And Lord Sarp Redbeard believes them!

Now was the time to put his actions where his mouth is, or more so; those of his Heroes.
Today the King's Court arrived and wants to discuss the future of this mercenary band, and possibly employ them for missions of the Crown.

It was his task as their tutor, to guide them from simple Mercenaries to apt Adventures all the way to renowned Heroes.

Regent Alusair Obarskyr, aka the Steel Princess had her pavillion set up shortly and was able to receive Lord Redbeard within an hour of arriving.

"Tell me, Sarp, of your protégés exploits and recent adventures," Alusair started.
Redbeard told in full color, and with added detail of what Rekk, Anon, Jack and Tereus had done since leaving the royal army.
Of course Alusair was known with these facts, as well as of their double tour of duty, but she wanted to hear it from Lord Redbeard personally.

Satisfied that these four are proactive, dutybound, good-aligned, with honor and most importantly good at what they do, the regent explained what Cormyr fears.
The next day the four companions arrived and were escorted from Redbeard's estate to the Steel Regent.

"Heroes, you stand before me worthy of the Court's attention and praise.
You have proven yourself time and again these past tendays in problem-solving, monster-slaying, seeing-through-deception and all the while upholding righteousness. This will serve the Crown very well.
As most will know we have stablished trade-routes through the Dalelands and they are our allies in war.
For both we owe them our protection. The only problem is, we are not aware of who the real enemies are.
Lately the Dales are in a small dispute about the so-called Dales Compact. It states that humans and elves will live side-by-side and protect one another against threat, under the condition that no more forest is cleared than necessary.
Not only that, recently the Knights of Myth Drannor have started another campaign to ride into Cormanthor and rid Myth Drannor of evil.
It strains the relationship with elves still living in Cormanthor, as minor monsters flee the area, and many mercenary companies flock to the dales looking for easy coin.
With the whole of the Dales on edge, it further stresses the situation now it appears that caravans on the trade routes are attacked and plundered.

If we stand-by, ruthless mercenaries will exploit the situation, more forest will be cleared to make up for losses, Cormanthor Elves will abandon the Dales Compact, Sembia will stop trading through the Dales, the growth of Thar will slow or even halt,
and Cormyr won't be able to trade as well.
Mutual agreements will fall, pacts will crumble and when war comes, the Dalelands are the first to be overrun.

Believe me when I say the situation is critical.
I, we, need you to go to Mistledale. Find out who is raiding caravans, talk to the locals and find out who wants the Compact to be dismantled, find out who has most to gain and stop them.
I trust in Redbeard, and he vouches for you. Do net let him down, and I shall compensate you plenty.

If we charge in, banners flying, this situation can go volatile quickly, you are able to pose as any other mercenary band.

Name yourselves, go with Mystra's light, and may it keep you out of Shadows.."