Meeting Bearclaw

I was first introduced to the company that came to be known as the "Storm Riders" in 1508TH. It was a typical afternoon in Bartertown, as far as I can recall. Two collection agents from the local gang (a couple of buunda orks known as Pumil and Terak) were attempting to break into my shop and collect protection monies from me. I was listening at my upstairs window, and I heard somebody down in the street ask if they needed any help! They told him (in rather rough language) to shove off, and apparently the young man did.

Well, Pumil and Terak got the door down shortly thereafter. As I was attempting to drive them out (by flinging bottles of wine and other such objects), a leather-clad human came charging in, barrelling over Terak, and shattering several shelves of wine!

I should explain at this point that while my shop appears to be a vintner's, I am actually a dealer in information. Wine is simply a hobby, though it does provide additional income to fund my researches

The human quickly drove off the orks, and I guessed by his bearing that he was an adept, probably a Beastmaster (as his clawed hand seemed to indicate). I thanked him for coming to my aid, and asked his name.

"I am Bearclaw," he said. "Why were those two... orks trying to break your shop?"

The way he hesitated, and said "orks" as a question peaked my curiosity.

"You aren't from around here, are you?" I asked him.

Bearclaw shook his head, and I looked the young man over. He was dressed in leathers that appeared to have been sewn by hand. The dust of several days' travel coated them, and I could tell he had only recently arrived in town. He wore a headband with a curious looking feather sticking out of it (I learned later it was from a species of eagle that lived high in the Throal mountains).

"Well then, Bearclaw, in gratitude for your assistance in ridding my establishment of those two scurvy knaves, I offer you this." I took a handful of silver coins from my money box, and handed them over. He looked at them curiously, and then looked at me. "It's money," I said, wondering where this intriguing individual had come from. He just looked at me blankly. "You trade it for things."

"Ah, trade. I understand." The human turned to leave.

"Hold on a moment, friend," I called. Bearclaw turned back. "I would guess you need a place to stay, right?" At his nod, I smiled. "Then I have just the place for you to go." And then I gave him directions to the Drifting Griffin, an inn run by my friend Ro'ahl. "Tell him that I sent you over, and he'll take good care of you."

He nodded, and left. I smiled at his odd behavior, and set about cleaning up the mess left by the altercation. I mentally filed away his name and where I could find him if I needed his services for anything. He seemed like a lad who needed all the help he could get in this rough and tumble city.

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