Hanako translates, then adds, “So all is well, I think. The six-leggier eats much mire than the average ratling, but he can catch his own fish now that the fog is clear!”
"Ah... so he is staying? The town might be scared of him, so if he is happy here until we can figure out a way to get him back home, it is probably good."
"Apparently yes Piotr - as much as I would like to keep Apep with us, he is probably better out here I guess..." - Garrosh nods, then turns to the ratlings again - "Cymerwch ofal da ohono. Bydd colled ar ei ôl"
"Please take good care of him. He will be missed
The party finds a courtyard with bent trees and withered foilage. Searching the grounds they do not find anything of interest.
Candles array themselves before a violet wall hanging embroidered with the shape of a spiraling comet. A wall of bars divides the room, locking away a row of filing cabinets. Piotr picks the lock and finds hundreds of files documenting past patients and a subset of Brairstone's current population.
In one of the cabinets the party finds three deep purple cleric vestments with a spiraling comet embroidered on the back, a clean leather lash, a box containing 3 scrolls and a wand.
Pitor identifies the third scroll as a scroll of sanctuary, Garrosh identifies the first scroll as a scroll of cure light wounds, and the wand as a wand of lesser restoration (7 charges left).
Returning to the docks, all have left save for Captain York, and a rowboat. "Winter's waiting for you on the other side, we've gotten everyone out." Captain York informs the party, as they board the boat and he picks up the oars. As the party travels through Thrushmoor river, it begins to start drizzling, and the rain gets progressively heavier until its a whole thunderstorm. Garrosh does not see any sign of Apep in the stormy weather. "Crappy weather, but again...it's quite typical of this time of the year." Captain York comments.
As they reach the docks, they see Winter waiting for them, in a black wax-coat. "We've gotten the survivors from Brairstone Asylum to be given refugee by the Pharasman clergy at the New Chapel, while they are arranging for them to be to other asylums across Ustalav for those requiring treatment."Winter tells the party. "The town is in chaos - apparently people have been mysteriously disappearing. Do you need accommodations? I can help arrange some, then I'm going off on business. Need to check if my superior checked into town."
Garrosh takes one last look at the Asylum before they leave, and back at his companions with a nod - "Others were not so fortunate, but we made it out alive" - then to the Captain - "Thank you for waiting for us Captain York"
"Thank you - we will definitely need accommodations - if you can help us that would be great" - Garrosh replies to Winter - "Do you know if the yellow fog extended this far and affected Thrushmoor also?"
Kilarra replies to Garrosh as they take a final look at the Asylum.
"There'll be undead eventually, but this is the best we got for now."
Hanako says to Winter, “What about those lovely children?” Hanako hoped to see them again, but will her ‘accommodations’ place her away from them.
The important thing is that they are safe, she reminds herself.
"Yeah I'll bring you to the Silver Wagon and pay for your stay there - it's the least I can do to help after your assistance in the asylum," Winter reassures the party. "Then I need to get to the SLeepless Building to see if my superior, Accuser Omari came back."
"There's fog, but it's not yellow, but strange charcoal murals have been appearing the town." Winter answers Garrosh.
"We have everyone in New Chapel at the moment - we'll try to locate their living relatives and be sending those without parents like Brenton or guardians to orphanages throughout Ustalav." Winter answers Hanako.
Winter leads the party down the cobblestoned streets, which have people clustered in groups under what shelter they can find, who look at the party nervously. Garrosh and Kilarra catch whispered snatches of conversations.
"Strangers....are they responsible for the disappearances?"
"I'd bet its the Brairstone witch."
"Maybe those are her disciples?.
Finally arriving at an oak building with the sign of a Silver Wagon next to it, Winter knocks on the door, then opens it. Inside the inn are tables full of patrons, but they mostly keep to themselves talking quietly. Garrosh catches a whispered conversation.
"Magistrate Padgett is out of town...what's Constable Cesyll doing about all these disappearances?"
"Us poor folk have been hung up to dry as usual..."
A Varisan woman plays on her flute[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxXsTDZIxNk]a song[/url] for the crowd, but it does not seem that anyone is in the mood to enjoy the music. The bar is manned by a plump woman with brown curly hair to her shoulders. Winter leads the party to the bar counter, "Bed and board for them, a week. I'm paying." She takes out her coin pouch and pays the necessary sum.
"Good to see you, Winter," The innkeep greets Winter. "These are dangerous times. Be sure to take care of yourself out there, especially at night."
"Is there anything else I can do to help you?" Winter asks the party.
Hanako approaches the woman. She enjoys the flute session until the song is over, then she politely bows to her.
“My name is Kojima Hanako. I am a musician.” She snaps her fingers to summon an instrument, then says, “I often improvise songs, but I also sing and dance. Ah! And I am a duettist.” She snaps her fingers again to change her outfit to one that matches the Vasarian’s color scheme. “If you would like, we can perform together. But only if you permit. I do not intend to disrupt your performance.”
"A bed, a hot meal, and maybe even a bath... Winter you are my hero." Piotr grins widely at the cleric. Ann, inside his head, to not scare the locals, whispers suck up but in a good-natured way.
The Varisan woman visibly jumps as Hanako approaches her. "No...no, I can't. The contract was for me to perform, and I've never even met you before. What if you're some kind of lorelei or siren in disguise wanting to bewitch the entire tavern?" She shakes her head. "Everyone is getting nervous of strangers in times like these. If I were you, I'd keep your head down and not attract attention to yourself. You never know when you might be the next target for a lynch mob." She advises Hanako. "And displays of magic like changing your clothes out in the open make people even more nervous."
A faint smile appears on Winter's face. "And you're mine too - Else we'd still be stuck in the asylum if not for your efforts. At least I can be of some help."
"It was fortunate we were able to help, and also get your help in return" - Garrosh grunts - "I think we are good for now - we have some equipment to repair and some other to perhaps sell or barter around town, but that can wait" - he adds - "Some rest is definitely in order, so thank you for making these arrangements..." - the half-orc's voice trails off as he watches Hanako using magic left and right amidst a superstitious crowd - "That girl...." - he sighs...
"I need a drink. First round is on me if anyone cares to join"
“In that case, I will enjoy your music. Thank you for playing… and for the tip.”
She stays close to the party, and says, “Apparently, I must avoid attracting attention. How dull. But I suppose a dull moment will be relaxing. I’ll have a virgin colada.” She fondly remembers that strange fruity drink from her days with Miss Mizzola, but suspects that is not served here. “Or juice. Nothing alcoholic, please.”
"There isn't any 'At Least' about what you did, Winter. You gave us a safe place to rest, helped us when we were hurt, and kept everyone sane, well as much as anyone could in that place..." he smiles with gratitude "If you ever need anything, I'd bend over backward to get it done for you."
When Hanako gets back "People are just scared, and that leads them to look for someone to blame, that's all. If you stand out and are a stranger, you're an easy target. What is a... colada?" he asks as he requests an ale.
"Thanks Winter. See you around." Kilarra says, without really anything more to add.
When Winter walks away, Kilarra nudges Piotr (somewhat) softly in the ribs, then angles her head and eyes to Winter's behind and grins devilishly.
"Hey, Garrosh. I want a... wait what the hell do I like? Apple cider?? No that can't be right... Whiskey! Oldlaw if they've got it."
Piotr grunts as Kilarra rams her elbow into him with the force of an irate mule's kick. Pulling his eyes from where Kilarra wink winked his attention back to. Gods it felt like it has been a long time since...
STOP! For the love of everything STOP THINKING NOW! Ann yells in his head, unable to not see where his thoughts were going.
Hanako sees the interaction with Kilarra and Piotr.
“Well, never mind the colada. And this moment is not so dull after all. If you have something to say to Winter, I encourage you to do so. I will stall her, but not for long.”
Hanako catches up to Winter and says to her, “Hey... before you leave, there is something I want to say to you.”
Piotr's eyes go wide "Wait..." but he is too slow. DON'T you DARE his sister says.
Instead of doing what Hanako is implying, he grabs his drink and goes to the empty table Garrosh was suggesting. Slumping into his chair with a thud.
"New Chapel would be willing to take all your spare weapons and supplies," Winter recommends to Garrosh.
Winter furrows her eyebrows slightly, "Well, news of Accuser Omari would be nice but I think the Sleepless Detectives in the Sleepless building may have more idea then you, since you just checked into town."
The Varisan woman shakes her head, "It's all true.It doesn't take much to start a witchhunt around these days."
"Sorry, we don't have a virgin colada - those pineapples are found in the Mwangi expense - unless you know someone who's going to sail a ship there," The innkeep answers, "Here's your whiskey, I'll put it on Winter's tab. " she pulls a bottle off the shelf and passes it to Kilarra.
"Yes Hanako?" Winter replies to Hanako.
She says to Winter, “I really hoped to see the children after the battle. All that truly matters is they are safe, but just… tell Maeve I made it through the battle unscathed. You can leave out the part where the Tatterman just did not bother hitting me because I was the least threatening opponent, but I faced him with a sword anyway. The children mattered to me, and especially Maeve.
“Naysa will still care for her, will she not? They seemed as natural as mother-and-daughter. I would hope they will not separate. Anyway... it is not my business. Maybe just tell them they will be in my prayers tonight. I pray to Shelyn. Maybe they can pray to Desna for me… maybe pray I can actually hit what my arrow points at?”
If she’s trying to pass that off as a joke, the tears welling in her eyes don’t help the delivery any. She isn’t sure how to explain herself, so she doesn’t. She simply says, “That’s about it. That, and thank you.”
"You can come to New Chapel to see the children - we're still hosting the survivors, and it'll take a while before we can get them relocated to other orphanages. I think we managed to locate a distant Aunt of Maeve, who will be bringing her back to Vauntil." Winter sighs. " Naysa is an orderly at Brairstone Asylum - I'm not sure if that place will ever be used again after this series of events - especially since the administrator Elige Losandro never made it out with us - I'm presuming she's dead?"
"I will pray for you with Pharasma that your arrows will hit your foes," Winter assures Hanako.
Garrosh asks the bartender for a few shot glasses, mugs, and an ale pitcher - "The coldest one you have"
Back at the table, he nods at Kilarra to pour them all a shot, then offers a toast - "Hanako, are you coming back to the table at all? Winter, join us for this one before you leave?" - continuing after the preamble - "Ragathiel has seen fit to bless me with some abilities - the gift of speech is not one of those however" - he chuckles - "Here is to us, and to others who are not with this group anymore. We kept each other alive through all that. Bless you all" - he finishes by raising his glass and then downing the shot, chasing it with the cold ale.
Hanako says she would like to come to New Chapel, though she really should get some rest first. Once Garrosh invites Winter to the table, she says, “Ah, yes. Please join us.”
She never did end up ordering a drink, but as it becomes apparent that Garrosh is giving a toast, Hanako raises a glass anyway. It’s a chalice that she apparently had concealed in her robe.
The chalice is obviously empty—yet after she raises it for the toast, she drinks, and her lips are moist. When her cup hits the table it is still half full.
Piotr raises his glass and downs the mug of golden froth. Sighing in contentment, "It was one nightmare after another, but we made it through. Those fat babies in jars were the worst... or the river of blood." he catches a look from other tables and makes sure he lowers his voice a bit. "Now what though? Me and Ann don't have any answers yet, nothing about why she is the way she is and I have magic now." he runs his hand over his short hair "We can't just go back to our old life. Until we fix this."
Hanako says, “Old life…?
“I do not think I have an old life to go back to.”
She takes another swing of her water.
Winter joins the party at the table, looks at the shot a little apprehensively, but joins the party in the toast, only to end up coughing and sputtering as the fiery alcohol burns its way down her throat. "Sorry, I don't drink much - its not forbidden but I usually don't do it. I'm more of a bookish type, you know. "Winter apologies, then continues. "But I didn't want to spoil your party."
"Rivers of blood?" Winter's eyes widen, then in a voice full of sympathy, "You've certainly earned the drinks, then. Hopefully it'll get you some relief, after what you've gone through, at least for a while."
"May Pharasma guide your way," Winter adds to Garrosh's blessing."Its not always a bad thing not to have an old life to go back to," Winter says meditatively, "Then at least you have a clean slate...to live your life whatever way you wish. No baggage, per se."
“A clean slate…” Tears still run down the girl’s cheeks as she dwells on memories that contradict each other. “Yes, that sounds promising. I do not think I should marry someone who hangs out with her ex-wives anyway.”
She refills her chalice (magically… but she supposes only someone looking at the inside of the chalice can tell), and says, “To new beginnings!”
After taking a very small sip, she flips her hair over her shoulder and lets it dangle over her cup. The flowering lattice extends a tendril into the chalice.
She mentally promises her little friend there will be much more water in the bath.
Winter raises an eyebrow at Hanako's mention of people hanging out with their ex-wives, "You've certainly led an interesting life," she comments.
Winter looks contemplative for a while, uses her body to block the view of the other patrons, then removes the brown leather glove covering her right hand, revealing a hand ending with short claws. "We all have our secrets...I'm a changeling. At least I have acceptance and appreciation at the temple of Pharasma, unlike some of my less fortunate kindred. Sometimes I wonder what my life would have been like if I were human..."She then puts on her glove again. "I have not heard the call yet, and I pray that my faith will protect me when that time comes."
Garrosh downs another shot when Piotr reminds them of the bottled babies and the river of blood, then raises an eyebrow as Winter displays her clawed hand - "You have definitely come to the right table then Winter" - the orcish heritage evident in in his fanged smile - "Have you taken a good look around the table?"
"This place may not be the most hospitable - fear can do that to people" - he adds with a shrug - "But I am in no hurry to leave. Where would I go anyway?"
"I've heard of changelings before, but you're the first I've met." Kilarra says. "Yeah, claws aren't gonna freak out anyone at this table. You know, maybe wearing gloves is all you need, but I'd say it's better to accept everything about who you are rather than worry about what other people think."
"Yeah," Winter says, "You're....diversified." She puts in diplomatically. "Or at least very different from the locals here."
"Ustalav is the sort of place that you don't want to go out once it's dark. Especially out of town," Winter continues. "The Whispering Tyrant may have been imprisoned - at a heavy price - Virlych remains haunted and uninhabitable very day."
"And many of his followers may still remain at large despite the best efforts of the Pharasman clergy to root them out," Winter adds, "And those abominations go around raising undead horrors, as if there aren't enough predatory monsters found in the marshlands."
"So you see, people in Ustalav are afraid of anything different...and to them it means anything that isn't human, or even of a familiar nationality. Garrosh is right," Winter agrees with Garrosh. "Fear can turn people into monsters, but on the other hand, that fear is justified, to a certain extent."
"We will make sure to keep our head low, thank you Winter" - Garrosh nods - "Like I said, it is likely we will stick around for some time. I for one have no idea where I will be heading next"
"I'll be going back home to Caliphas." Piotr says and then quickly whispers "Yes I know, let me finish."
"Not until we have answers though."
In response to Winter’s interesting-life comment: “Or I was led to believe that life was interesting. Miss Mizzola did teach me the art of the bluff.”
Hanako stares at the clawed hand in silence, and finally she gives the hand a gentle touch. “I think this is beautiful, but I also understand hiding your true form to appear human. I do not even have a memory of being in my true form.
“Oh… but do you have a human father, as I do?”
As for where to go, she says, “If we find the time, I would like to sing to the children in New Chapel, if it is permitted there—maybe just Naysa’s songs… other than that,” she turns to Garrosh and says, “finding answers sounds like a plan.”
"The sleepless detectives know a lot of things, but their services come at a price."Winter suggests. "I've always found them worth it, though."
Winter flinches slightly as Hanako touches her hand, as she sighs, "It is my curse to bear. That I may not be in control of my own destiny."
"You're the first one who's said its beautiful," Winter replies.
Winter gives Hanako a sad smile, "I don't know who my father is. Nor is there any way to find out - it wouldn't surprise me that he's long dead - I studied some about my heritage, to learn about the Call, and hags have an unsavory reputation to say the least."
“Well, I am part animal. But there is beauty in the irregular. It seems many look at differences as something to fear or despise.”
Admittedly, Hanako knows nothing about curses. But she tries to be reassuring while also honest—
“You are a good person, you are strong-willed, and you have researched this Call… then you know whether or not it can be resisted. From your character, I think you are far more likely to succeed than the average Changeling. And plus, I believe your faith in Pharasma grants you an additional advantage: you will not struggle alone as the weak and the godless would.”
"If anyone has a chance Winter, I'd wager it would be you." Piotr agrees, pouring himself another, offering to pour for anyone that needs it.
Kilarra nods as she drinks her whiskey. She's got nothing more to add.
Winter gives a weak smile, "Thanks for your kind words, well, I'd better be off now, as they say, no rest for the wicked."With that, she stands up and leaves the table.
Hanako says, “Seeing how I should avoid using my Prestidigitation Song to clean up, I think I will arrange a bath after we eat something.” She reaches her hand toward a menu, starts to hum—
—aaaand she plays is as if gesturing for the waitress’ attention, and certainly was NOT about to hum the Mage Hand Song. Whether there’s a menu already at the table or not, she asks the waitress for a recommendation. “Every house has its specialty, does it not?”
"We have cabbage rolls and beef tripe soup and Ground pork and rice wrapped in cabbage leaves, mam, " A pimply waitress with curly black hair tells Hanako, as she passes over the menu.
Appetizers
Greaves
Vegetable dip served with rye bread
Cabbage rolls
Deep fried breaded yellow cheese
Soups
Beef Tripe Soup
Beansoup with smoked ham hock
Meatball soup
Mains
Beer Sausages with sundried tomatoes potatoes
Smoked ham hock and Rustic Cabbage
Ground Pork and Rice wrapped and cooked in cabbage leaves
Bean and Pork Stew
Fish Stew with Vegetables
Deserts
Sweet Bread
Fried Donut stuffed with cheese
Fried dough with sweet cheese
Drinks
Apple Cider
Pear Cider
Oldlaw Whisper
Bourbon scotch
Feteasca Neagra
Cramposie Selectionata
*other drinks upon request - while stocks last
"Yeah, I'll get the deep fried yellow cheese, the ham hock, and another Oldlaw."
"Beansoup with smoked ham hock, and... Beer Sausages with sundried tomatoes potatoes" - Garrosh nods - "And another pitcher of ale if you will, thank you"
Hanako finds the menu interesting, but the waitress’ recommendation works for her.
“The ground pork and rice wrapped in cabbage sounds fine.” She considers refilling her own chalice, but instead says, “And pear cider, please.”
"Everything smells amazing it does, hard choice... um Meatball soup, and two helpings of the pork stew, please mam" Piotr says to the waitress with the curly black hair.
have at least one vegetable! Anne chides but Piotr ignores.
Kilarra's deep fried cheese is tangy and salty, but the cheese literally oozes out when she bites into the breaded cheese.
The ham hock has a strong hickory smoke flavour and infuses the cabbage with a strong bacon aroma.
The beansoup is warm and filling, as well as having a strong bacon flavor from the hamhock.
The beer sausages taste strongly of galic and paprika, while the sun-dried tomatoes, infused with the sausage aroma, have a rather meaty texture, which contrasts with the smoothness of the boiled potato topped with butter. The ale is rich and full bodied, tasting of apple.
The ground pork and rice is heavily spiced with dill, thyme, garlic and pepper, while the cabbage wrapping is infused with the taste of bay. The pear cider is sharp and crisp with green apple notes.