The sun sat low in the sky as they reached the city of Hanchen. It was truly a city, with a wall and gate. Guards stood on either side, and as Joth and Isa approached they straightened up. Isa saw that one cradled a loaded crossbow in his hands. “State your business,” said the one with the crossbow.

“Buying and selling,” Joth replied.

“Do you have a license?” asked the other guard, who had a long spear. “Gotta have a license to sell.”

“We’re really just buying,” said Isa. “I could show you my quest lo--”

“These men don’t really care about quests, dear.” Joth patted Isa’s arm. “She’s never been to the city,” he told them. He put an arm around Isa’s shoulder. “I should get her some dinner. It’s been a long journey.”

The guard with the spear held it in front of the gate. “No,” he said.

“No what?” Joth smiled.

“No to whatever story you’re trying to tell us,” replied the guard.

The other guard, the one with the crossbow, shifted his feet. “It’s been such a nice day,” he said. “Don’t spoil it.”

Isa felt like she was watching a cop drama unfold where the bad cops shake down a small time bar owner for protection money. “This, um, license. How much is it?”

Crossbow smiled at Isa. “Smart lady. Two people, two licenses, right?”

“Right,” said Joth. “Yes, of course.” He put his hand on his coin pouch. “And you can take the payment for us?”

“Convenient, isn’t it?” Spear moved his weapon away from the door.

“One gold each,” Crossbow said to Joth. “Bargain really, considering the wonders of Hanchen that await you and your lady.”

“One gold each!?” Isa looked from one guard to the other. “Are you out of your minds? One gold each? Really now, do I look like I’m made of--”

“Here you are, gentlemen.” Joth dropped a coin in each outstretched hand. “We’ll be on our way.” He bundled Isa through the now open gate.

She glared as the gate shut behind them. “The nerve of those guys! I mean, sure a bribe is a bribe - not that I have ever, ever in my life had to bribe someone, but you know I’ve seen it on TV. But a gold each? Do you know how many dishes I have to wash--”

“Hush,” said Joth. “You’re making a scene.”

Isa stopped and looked around. Three people trudged past them carrying bundles of cloth. A woman stood in a doorway smoking a pipe. A man leaned out of a second story window. Two horses stood tethered to a post, and a boy sat stirring a mud puddle with a stick.

“I’m making a scene? Not the first time you’ve accused me of that. What’s your deal? Do you not like women?”

“Of course I like you! I just-- this is a big place, and we don’t need attention, alright?”

“And you think that a woman speaking her mind is attention-seeking behavior?” Somewhere in the distance Isa heard shouting followed by laughter.

“You were speaking your mind, as you say, rather loudly. That’s my point.” Joth gestured down the main road. “Let’s find a place for the night. The markets will be closing.”

“Tomorrow is day 3,” said Isa. “Let’s see if the market is still open.”

“You have 8 days, Isa. Relax, take in some sights, alright?” He cocked an eyebrow and said, “The way you handled the bandits, I wouldn’t be surprised if you leveled. Don’t you want to crack open your notebook and see what level 3 has for you?”

“I do not have 8 days. I have 6 days and 2 of those will be taken up with travel.”

“OK, so 4 days to buy some feldspice.” Joth looked around. “The market is huge here. It will take us, like 5 minutes to buy all the feldspice that priestess could want. I hear they have a theater here now. We could take in a play or something.”

Isa shrugged.

“Or you could take the longest, hottest bath in your life. Would you like that? Last time I was here, I stayed at this little inn off the elf quarter and--”

“Did you say ‘the elf quarter’?”

“Yeah.” A confused look crossed Joth’s face. “Why?”

“Elves, like elf elves? All solemn and stern like Hugo Weaving Elrond elves?”

Joth’s look of confusion deepened. “Weaving elves? I don’t--”

“Of course, you said there are hobbits.” Isa shook her head. “So why not elves?”

“Halflings, actually. Copyright thing with the Tolkien estate.”

“Are they beautiful and mysterious?”

Joth took Isa’s arm and led her down a side street. “Elves? Some of them. We’ll get settled in at the inn, and you can see for yourself.”

Spoiler: Character Sheet

Name: Isa Chamberlin

Race: Human

Height & Weight: 5ft 6inches / 120 lbs

Class: Fighter Level: 2

Alignment: Good

Background: Stranger in a Strange Land

Hit Points: 15 AC: 13

Current Hit Points : 9

Combat: +4 to Hit

Weapons: Rapier (left hand) 1d8 +2 (piercing) / Quarterstaff (right hand) 1d6 +2 (bludgeoning)

STR

11

0

DEX

14

+2

CON

11

0

INT

13

+1

WIS

13

+1

CHA

12

+1

Saving Throws: Str and Con +2

4

Acrobatics* (Dex)

1

Medicine (Wis)

1

Animal Handling (Wis)

1

Nature (Int)

1

Arcana (Int)

3

Perception* (Wis)

0

Athletics (Str)

1

Performance (Cha)

1

Deception (Cha)

1

Persuasion (Cha)

3

History* (Int)

1

Religion (Int)

3

Insight* (Wis)

2

Sleight of Hand (Dex)

1

Intimidation (Cha)

2

Stealth (Dex)

1

Investigation (Int)

1

Survival (Wis)

Special Attack: Two weapon fighting. When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.

Class Features:

Second Wind - On your turn, you can use a Bonus Action to regain hit points equal to 5 + your fighter level. Short or Long Rest before you can use it again.

Action Surge - On your turn, you can take one additional action on top of your regular action and a possible Bonus Action. You must finish a short or Long Rest before using it again.