Adventure Party Missing for Over 45 Minutes
“Usually they go out, use all their spell slots and abilities, and are back for a long rest within 30 minutes.”
The Cheffhold County Guards and Militia have announced that local adventuring party The Black Anchor Crew has been missing for over 45 minutes. “That’s a long time for adventurers,” says Sheriff Franzet Duffboar. “Usually they go out, use all their spell slots and abilities, and are back for a long rest within 30 minutes.” Being gone for as long as they have is not a good sign, notes the sheriff. Other town members agree that this type of delay is worrying. “Many adventurers order food from me, go out to a dungeon or tower, and are back before it’s ready.” says Chef Nicy Grevel. “What am I supposed to do with this game pie, now?”
Sheriff Duffboar called for citizens and fellow adventurers to be on the lookout for signs of the missing party at a recent press conference, and to report any leads to a local guard. “Anyone with information leading to finding The Black Anchor Crew will be given a free adventuring company charter and first pick of any new quests that become available” Duffboar tells The Dungeon Tribune.
Many are on the lookout for the missing company, but not all are in it for altruistic reasons. “I don’t have anything against The Anchies,” says fellow mercenary and member of Adventures Unlimited, Tregh Yerit. “And it would be great to find them alive. But I wouldn’t be too upset if I was the first to get to their magic items. I do have one more attunement slot to fill.” Local innkeeper Asgood Phennial has joined the search party as well. “Those guys have over 500 days of unpaid rent,” says Phennial. “And I doubt whoever finds their coin purses are going to pay their debts if it isn’t me.”
Those who wish to see the party return are worried that any more delay in finding them could prove deadly. “After 20 minutes, most warlocks don’t have any spell slots. And Druids probably won’t last more than 30 without using all of theirs. Even less if they keep talking to cute animals they find,” Adventuring Guild president Alfret Whisperblade laments. “Hopefully they went with more of a rogue and fighter heavy team. Otherwise, they may actually have to use strategy to survive.”
Retired dungeon explorer and curmudgeon, Verrs Lanqotto, notes that newer adventurers are less likely to have the experience and knowledge to survive this sort of situation. “Even if they are prepared with bedrolls and rations, which many adventurers aren’t these days, do they even know to take a long rest in the field? I’ve seen far too many younger explorers try to sleep in their armor. Even if they take a short rest they’ll still have to look up the rules for using hit dice.” The good news, of course, it that they’ll have plenty of time to use ritual casts now.