.
..
Dot, this is Magabeus
Harsk continues to sip his lemon tea, keeping to himself and identifying potential threats.
Our adventurers find themselves in a tavern in the river kingdoms. The River Kingdoms is a tumultuous land of bloodthirsty bandits, treasure-laden ruins, and self-proclaimed kings, and for years it has been the subject of study for Ulisha, a curious and capable half-orc explorer. She is also the party is here.
She claimed to have found Silverhex, an enchanted sickle used by druids millennia before. Trying to make an offer to the pathfinder Society, this rag-tag band of adventurers was sent all the way out here to meet with her. Arriving at the meeting place: not a trace of Ulisha. The only trace she left was a journal.
Harsk notices the group in the tavern. "Must be them." he mutters. Harsk walks up to the group, holding a teapot in one hand and several teacups in the other.
"Welcome to the Night Watch, folks." Harsk drops the teacups on the table. "Lemon Tea, anyone? My name's Harsk. Haven't seen Ulisha enter today, just this journal."
Harsk flips through Ulisha's journal, reading the various excerpts for clues. "Cannibal's Grove? Sounds inviting." Harsk chuckles.
The ravishing blonde is feeding scraps to a blue lizard. The blue color is also found in many tattoos over the body parts that you can see. Her red robe sports the same designs over and over again.
"Whatever, we probably end up going to all places on that list anyway. If you prefer to visit Cannibal's Grove first I am fine with that."
A quiet seeming young lady, seeming as she has not spoken to anyone other than the serving boy to bring her a half glass of wine. She follows the conversation with her eyes, flicking from one speaker to the next with admirable speed.
Cannibal's grove, as good as any. thinking back to her reading of the journal.
Amiri checks the balance and sharpness of her oversized sword while the others talk. She stifles a yawn before speaking. "Let me know when we're ready."
The instructions in Ulisha's journey direct the adventurers through Varno, to a place called the 'restless bear inn'.
The crumbling, moss-choked inn stands alone at the road’s end. Looming over its squat frame, a dense curtain of foliage marks the border of the Forest of Veils. The sign above the door reads “The Restless Bear,” and it seems to refer to a stuffed bear’s head that lolls upon a flagpole near the eaves.
The stuffed head is one of a juvenile brown bear, but being stuffed long ago has made it look rather mangy.
The inn is a one-story hostel with a claustrophobic ambience. It features plain walls, simple wooden doors, shuttered windows, and smoky tallow fat candles that keep the interior in a state of dim light. The common room feels like a cave, its sagging rafters clogged with yarn, shabby ribbons, and odd miniature knick-knacks that reinforce its claustrophobic atmosphere.
The inn's only occupant is an spindly old woman. Birdy she introduces herself what can I do ye fer? Food? Lodging? and then, with a bucktoothed smile [b]or just the latest gossip from the area?[/ooc]
Reiko slips in quietly amidst all the others. She sidles out of the doorway upon entering the cave-like room, keeping her back to the wall and everyone in sight.
"A juvenile brown bear...not very sporting to hunt one so young."
Harsk nods in agreement with Amiri's comment. Makes you wonder where the mother bear was, eh?
Turning to Birdy, Harsk asks "Greetings, Birdy. Name's Harsk. We're sightseeing, looking around for a spot called Cannibal's Grove. Sounded like a lovely place for a picnic. Anything strange you've seen around there?"
Hush! Careful wat ye say thar. S'a dreadful place, no good for a laugh. An am not keen ta put my own soul in peril, steerin’ yas to such unhallowed spots.
Twas where the old Famished Shaman worked his blasphemies! Anybody with good sense’n their head should know ta stay clear!
The quiet, dignified samurai has said little since meeting the other Pathfinders. He has spent most of his time training or caring for his warhorse, which he carefully tied outside.
"There is no honor in eating the flesh of other another. We must not stay clear, but seek out this shaman."
"Oh, that's where it got its name from." Harsk mumbles.
Shaking his head, Harsk looks at Birdy. "Birdy, we'll make sure this cannibal doesn't haunt anyone ever again. No animal eats its own kind. If you can point us in the general direction, we would be thankful."
So ye start a vile practice herself? Get outta here!
"It is said there is many a slip betwixt a cup and a lip. He did not intend harm. We only seek direction to the place we speak of," Hayato offers.
Well, ye better keep 'im in check while 'e's 'ere. The famished shaman ain' no laughing matter. They say he was a druid, spending so much as a bear that 'e lost 'is soul 'ungering fer flesh.
"If you could be so kind I would like to discuss some female matters with you Birdly, we won't need to bother the men with them"
Seoni moves a bit to the side with the old crone
"I do not know why I put up with the likes of those males, although it is always good to have some muscle in the party." she tilts her head at Amiri "not that she is not able to armwrestle both the dwarf and the Tian man at the same time and win"
Seoni laughs and continues "If you could give me some information regarding that shaman and the direction we need to take to the grove it would be much appreciated."
Alright, alright. It's one mile southwest of here, in a clearing marked by stones. Thar's a small deer trail jus'off the path, follow it and ye'll get thar.
"Thank you, your help is much appreciated"
Seoni goes back to the group "Let's go"
Once they are out of earshot she tells them what she learned and allows the stronger types to lead the way.
Amiri smirks at Seoni's cleverness as she leads the group onward.
The bear's head has disappeared from the from of the shack
Reiko, who had stayed silent the entire time, leaves her position against the wall, silently bowing respectfully to Birdy as she exits.
"This does not bode well for us..." Amiri says as she points to where the bear head used to be.
Eh. Too much tea this morning. I must sound like a loon. Harsk mumbles on his way out.
Where in the Nine Hells did that bear head go? Keep your wits about you, folks.
[ooc]Rolling Survival in case we need it...I hope we don't[/b]
"You always sound like a loon Harsk" Seoni says as she ruffles his hair.
Hayako looks darkly at the missing bear head.
"This is a dark omen," he says as he remounts his steed.
Moving closer to the grove, tendrils of mists rise from the ground and permeate the area. Unsettling noises fill the air. Crimson thistles have overtaken the clearing, punctuated by a ring of mossy standing stones. In the center, a neglected stone slab bears ancient stains and gouges.
Kyra wakes up. Dark indeed, I agree. Kyra will cast Detect Magic while in the area.
"Bah, I'm not loony." Harsk grumbles to no one in particular.
At least we're out in the open, Harsk thinks. As they head toward the grove, Harsk goes quiet and begins studying the area in earnest. He doesn't approach the blood-stained slab, but does look around for any obvious clues or ambushes.
(+2 to notice unusual stonework)
Reiko walks carefully and slowly, remaining as silent as possible. Reaching into a largish pouch on her hip, she pulls out a strange contraption of chain, blade, and weights.
Amiri scans the area looking for trouble.
The mists make searching the area hard, as dense as they are around here.
Harsk notices the stench of raw meat coming from the stone circle, though something seems completely off... could the circle be haunted?
With hardly a sound, Hayako draws his katana from its elaborate sheath in a practiced motion. He peers into the mist intently.
"OK...what's going on here? I see nothing."
The stone circle seems haunted, but the diary did mention that the lantern was hidden near the stream.
Seoni casts detect magic and scans around her for aura's. She then moves to the stream.
"Amiri, will you join me? I always feel better with your strong sword arm at my side."
Reiko sidles sidways and around, keeping out of the circle and under the cover of trees, making her way towards the river.
Amiri follows Seoni toward the stream. The water looks cool, refreshing and inviting and is unfortunately distracting her from remaining vigilant.
Kyra will follow the others so that the group will be ready as one, just in case. She'll also keep an eye out for the unusual.
Harsk slips through the trees, keeping an eye out on the circle and preparing against potential ambushes.
Seoni detects something very faintly magical near the edge of the stream. It's hard to pinpoint - the aura doesn't seem to be out in the open.
Hayako, still mounted, moves near the river to assist in the search.
Hayato finally sees a faint flickering in the mists, below some boulders.