Long ago far to the North was a land isolated by the great Ironfang Mountains.....Istus. This land was the place of legendary adventures and heroes, monstrous creatures, and untold treasures and magics. The archives tell us that centuries ago, an outbreak of a mysterious plague spread through Istus and threatened to invade all of THE REALM. In an effort to keep the plague isolated, the passes were sealed off and no one was allowed in or out of the Istus. The gates have been sealed ever since, and the Ironfang Mountains have stood as the great barrier protecting the Realm.

Two weeks ago, a group of kobold thieves were apprehended stealing from the granary in Ophir Pass, one of only a few remaining populated Gate Towns. On one of the bandits, a golden nugget of "magically petrified dragon poop" was found. It was ......precious.... to him. When taken, he wailed and wailed for many in the village to hear, "IT'S MINE!!! I FOUND IT!! I FOUND THE MAGIC POOP IN ISTUS AND ONLY I HAVE CLAIM TO IT!! MY.......PRECIOUS!!"

Rumors spread like wildfire, and after two short weeks the first group of adventurers have arrived at Orphir Pass. Thorne Varrick, the town Gatekeeper has been ordered to open the gate and begin to allow adventurers into Istus. He has reluctantly followed orders, and assigned his Second-in-Command, Captain Elira Mourn to organize the first expedition.

The postings have said to meet Thorne and Elira at the Cranberry Tavern, on October the 5th at 12PM.