Backgrounds

Chad and Beldar are old friends.  Although Beldar was from Torlynn originally, when his father died in the mines, his mother moved the family to Melinir.  There Chad and Beldar met and became friends.  They decided to adventure together and left Melinir some weeks ago.  They travelled north following rumors that goblin activity has been on the rise in the Burning Hills.  Unfortunately, while camped one night, with Beldar on watch, Beldar’s limbs became rigid and he received a blow to the head.  Both later awoke bound in what turned out to be Zanzer’s Manor.

Aison is also  from Melinir.  Having completed his bardic training, Aison quickly left the city seeking backwater towns to impress the yokels and garner some coins.  He was soon captured by orcs.  As they prepared to kill and eat him, he managed to convince the leader’s harem that he should be spared because of his crooning ability.  Disgusted and somewhat threatened by Aison, the orc leader arranged to sell Aison to another tribe, that then turned him over to Zanzer.

Alan and Tim both hail from Kleine.  Tim knew Alan a bit but they never really associated.  Both were abducted, Tim off the streets of Kleine, Alan was taken after a barroom brawl that left him unconscious.