After establishing the threats to the Nentir Vale, the next step was to gather adventurers for my warband. I fully embraced the random generation charts but still ended up with a group of humans. Their backgrounds ranged from townsfolk, sturdy frontiersmen, and even a zealot. I also wanted to dabble in magic and chose one of my heroes to be a mystic.

For gear, I was able to wrangle up a few quality weapons and some simple enchanted items. I loved the idea of a rough and tumble barbarian with just enough charisma to gather a group under their leadership. So I chose Takari to be my warband leader wielding a bastard sword. I definitely wanted some ranged attackers and selected Kester, a tradesman-turned-adventurer, who opted to finally wield the crossbows he diligently made for years in the city. There was also Sigmund, the zealot monk on a mission to drive evil from the land. And lastly, Matilda, the strange mystic from the south was willing to join the company (although no one knows if it is to rid scourge from the region or for her own arcane purposes). To round out the warband, I had two additional human followers. Den, a simple man-at-arms henchman and Nip, an adept bowman, that were both willing to join the group. 

Falling under Takari’s oratory spell at a city tavern, she wove an enticing pitch to join under her banner. Rumors abound that the Nentir Vale was under siege from evil cultists and bandits. Howling beastmen were said to have come up from the coastal marshes. And the decades-long war to the west was drawing ever closer. The vale was ripe with opportunities of fame and fortune for those steely enough to take it. Takari’s Torchbearers were heroes of such mettle to grasp it.