Hey everybody, you all realized it, it took me longer to post new thrads and continue the adventures. And I'm really sorry it came to it, because I genuinely enjoy this group. But it's not something I can continue at this point. I don't have the time to recruit more members, and I can't afford $99 a month to get you affiliated for inviting new members. Plus, right now, I'm actually paying on top to run this community. If you like, I will still walk you through my idea of the story, so you can get an idea on the adventure. I can also give ownership of this group to someone else if you want to keep playing. I still believe this has great potential; it just needs more focus and "marketing" to get more members. And now, just writing this, I want to continue, but I just don't feel it does your time justice!

"We'll go to the castle now," you tell Elara. "The sooner help reaches Thornhaven, the better." She nods approvingly. "Good. Return here once you've delivered the letter." - Toward the Castle You leave the Scholar's Quarter and make your way through the city streets. The castle dominates the skyline, rising like a mountain of stone from the heart of Readingham. Its walls are thick as houses, its four great bastions crowned with the yellow and green banners. As you approach, the crowds thin. This is the administrative heart of the city, where soldiers patrol and officials conduct the business of governance. The main gate to the castle grounds stands open, flanked by guards in polished armor bearing the city's colors. They're more attentive than the city gate guards, eyes tracking your approach. One steps forward, spear held across his chest. "State your business." You hold up the sealed letter, showing Elara's mark on the wax. "Message for the Guard Captain. From Elara the Mage. Urgent." The guard's expression shifts slightly at Elara's name. He gestures to his companion, who nods and steps aside. "Follow me." - The Courtyard Inside the castle walls, the courtyard bustles with activity. Soldiers drill in formation. Blacksmiths work at outdoor forges. Messengers hurry between buildings. The clang of steel and the shouts of sergeants fill the air. Your escort leads you across the courtyard toward a stone building with narrow windows and a heavy oak door. "Wait here." He disappears inside. Minutes pass. You stand in the shadow of the castle's inner wall, watching the organized chaos around you. Then the door opens. A man emerges, tall and broad-shouldered, perhaps fifty years old, with close-cropped gray hair and a scar running from his temple to his jaw. He wears well-maintained chainmail under a tabard bearing Readingham's colors. The Guard Captain. His eyes sweep over your group, taking in your weapons, your travel-stained clothes, the marks on your forearms.

Dog steps forward, his voice calm but clear. "We were sent by the mage in Redingham to investigate why trade stopped. But we've learned something important - Redingham never received your wagons. And you never received payment." Garrett's expression shifts. His jaw tightens. "Someone's been stealing from both sides," Dog continues. "The wagons left here. They never arrived there. We need to know everything you can tell us about the shipments." Garrett is silent for a long moment. Then he stands, moving to a shelf and pulling down a thick ledger. He sets it on the desk with a heavy thud. "Three wagons per week. For a month." He opens the ledger, pages filled with careful entries. "Grain, salted fish, wool, vegetables. Everything documented. Everything paid for by Redingham's merchants... or so they told us." His finger traces down the columns. "I hired guards myself. Men I've worked with for years. Reliable. Armed. Two guards per wagon, sometimes three." He looks up. "With the last shipment, six guards total. None of them came back." He closes the ledger. "I sent a rider north four days ago to find out what happened. He hasn't returned either." Garrett's voice is steady, but you can hear the anger beneath it. "The main road's been safe for decades. This isn't random bandits. This is organized." He looks at each of you. "Someone knew the schedules. Knew the routes. Knew exactly when to strike." He pauses. "And they're good enough that not a single person escaped to warn us." 🎯 What's next? 1. Ask about the schedules - Who knew when the wagons would leave? 2. Ask about his rider - The one who went to investigate four days ago. 3. Other → Your call.