Introduction: In the many months that have passed since the Age of Darkness has relinquished its hold on Galarion, the clouds have parted ways and given sunshine once more to the surface. The kingdom of Kyonin has prospered greatly to the given light and no longer are the divine and arcane casters required such intensity of spells to help the Kyonin maintain its glorious health against the unbearable darkness; although, the rumors have spread to the ears of all settlers that the Orcs in the area have only grown stronger in the many years of darkness, giving them the ability to roam night and day with nothing to threaten their numbers.
City of Walking Man: In the recent years many cities such as the Walking Man have begun rebuilding and becoming fairly well traveled. In the city are several little general shops, weapon shops and one tavern called the “Waywyrn Lodge”. Supplies appear to be limited though there is no shortage of food as many other places seem to have been struggling with. At the center of the town is a massive oak tree that stands some two hundred foot tall and appears to be the primary place of business for all assortments of items sold by individual booths clustered at the base of the tree. The tree rises up with many assorted lights gleaming through pockets of holes, which appear to be some type of windows, crafted from the Elven craftsman.
Characters: It’s a dark and gloomy day and your travel here has been long and adventurous, testing your skills, and teaching you abilities along the way; however, each of you have recognized that without aid your skills will not grow alone. Your hearts are beating to the sound of a drum off into the distance at the base of the massive oak. Your eyes catch glimpse of the Waywyrn Lodge and a lady out front dressed in what appears to be white and brown commoners clothing tying off horses to the stable post. The Lodge appears to be in good shape, though you can tell that it has been here for many of ages and just outside you can hear the boards creak as people walk around inside. Above the small deck attached to the lodge is the sign which is rustic and hardly legible but it can be read. You scan over the area seeing many elves, though many other races mingle amongst the town. You’re quick to notice the lack of guards at the outer edge of the small town, while it appears closer to the oak tree there may be many guards in the market.
”Ehh traveler, Thee names Krong, Welcome to me old Waywyrn Lodge. Whatcha be havin for a drink there or you be needing a place to stay?”
He looks at you waiting for a response, his accent heavy with Irish tone.
A fire burns in the corner and brightens up the place really well. The tables are nothing special with a few splintered woods across some of the tops, but sturdy enough to hold a meal and drinks. A few people are scattered about the Lodge drinking away and one or two passed out from drinking too much, specially a red headed male dwarf in the corner table. A small set of steps lead up stairs to a balcony that overlooks the lodge with doors that line the wall on top and bottom, labeled with carved numbers across each door.
Making straightway for the bar, Aerek produces seven silver coins. I'll take a mug of ale and a meal, as well as a room for the night.
After placing his order, the Kellid glances furtively about the room before striding toward a table in the room's center and taking a seat. The raven that, until now, had been sitting quietly upon his shoulder spread its wings, as though about to take flight, but regains itself as Aerek sits down.
The warrior tightly grips his spear and continues to keep an eye on his surroundings while awaiting his dinner.
Krong gives you a concerning look.
”Alrighty… That be 6 silver 5 copper. Hey Yuri don’t be wastin your time, get this man a drink, and a meal, he be a needing some food.”
Krong reaches beneath the bar, and tosses out a key and talks to a lady that apparently no one even noticed from a doorway behind the bar. The small slender female elf with silvery green hair and forest green eyes steps out nearly timid as she responds to Krong.
”Yes… Yessss…. Sir! I will will get right on on it.”
The elf slurs her speech as if she was nervous to respond. However; a few moments later she returns to the table and brings you a nice meal of ham bone and bread, with a bowl of soup. She does this with anyone purchasing food or drink.
Letting his spear come to rest on his shoulder, he takes the bread and tears it in half before dipping a portion into the soup. With a glance to either side, the warrior begins to eat his meal with great gusto.
Zorza flits into the Waywyrn Lodge, spotting the flyer about the missing elf-maid along the way. "Poor child" she thinks to herself, remembering her own recent tragedy and what it is like being lost and alone. "I should visit girl's family, speak with them, see what I can do. Maybe they be grateful, fill Zorza's purse."
She struts over to the bartender and orders herself some food and drink. "I want cup of milk with ale, and plate of meat. You bring, yes?" She puts enough coins on the counter to satisfy the overgrown alesmith. While she waits for her order, she says, "You like music? I play for you. People hear Zorza's songs, they come inside, more customers for you." She takes a violin from her pack and tunes it. Then she starts to play, coaxing an almost magical melody from the strings.
Spot flyer
play violin, maybe earn some money.
Qalifa strolling along the familiar paths through Walking man. Tochrais doing his waddling hop with him. Having sold his extra meat, pelts and herbs not needed by his refugee tribesmen. Keeping a few coins for myself I head over to the waywyrn tavern for a drink and to catch up on the local gossip.
Tochrais- warble warble
What is that my friend? Oh a poster of a missing girl? Interesting maybe we will talk to the blacksmith and ask about her maybe we can find her out in the woods? Make a little money to help out the tribe.
Entering the tavern. Hailing the bar keep. two ales please. taking a seat at a table laying coins on the table. Qalifa looks around the the tavern at his fellow patrons
Recalling his masters always reminding him to be aware of his surrounding Hung Dong does not fail to notice the flyer for the missing Elven girl outside the tavern. Strong, swift, and silent he walks into the lodge, his mind on the here and now. He then proceeds to walk up to the bar and ask for something to drink and eat.
"Bartender may I have a mixed vegetables and rice with a cup of hot tea"
The drunken dwarf strung out on the table finally snores loud enough to start disturbing a few nearby customers as Music begins to play. He manages to knock over his half filled drink, as the glass hits the floor jetting the remaining liquid up and out while the glass mug remained on damaged, bouncing a few times to the floor, soaking the floor beneath him.
At fast as the order were coming in they were being served by Yuri the little elf, she walked into the back room and about the time she would enter, she would exit a second later with the food and some type of beverage that was requested by each order called out. It appeared that Krong was in constant repetition, cleaning out those glasses and responding to each person that came in, every once in a while would call out the orders to Yuri.
Surprisingly in the corner you could spot a very silvery smoked color cat drinking something from a bowl, it appears to be some type of milk. Every once in a while the cat would look up and the eyes would catch yours, nearly as bright as Mithral armor gleaming back at you.
Silver.
The noise of the tavern seems almost overwhelming after years of living in the forest. Entranced by the shouts, laughter, and music she ventures inside.
She stands in the doorway and scans the room, not sure what she should do. She has never seen this many people in one room before. When the barman speaks to her she snaps out of her trance and orders wine and then moves to the first open seat she can find.
Looks down at her drink turning her head side ways to get a better look at it. Placing her beak into the mug, her fellow patrons are treated to a slight repetitive clicking sound. As she opens and closes her beak to drink. Issuing a pleasant warble after a couple of swallows. Looking around the room. She seems to be keeping an eye on the large cat in the room.
Gives the elven barmaid a silver for the drinks. Looks at her up and down. Taking in her frightened demeanor. Nah. It couldn't be that easy. There is no way she is the one the blacksmith is looking for Turns to Tochrais. Noticing her nervousness. Places a hand on her head. Easy my friend she won't try to eat you. She's not that kind of cat.
Having finished playing the first few songs, Zorza sets her violin down on a table and picks up the cup of milk and ale. She takes a few swigs and eats several bites of meat. Then she goes into the corner to visit with the silvery cat and scratch her behind the ear. "Sister, is good to see you."
When Zorza is ready, she picks up her violin again and walks over to the tusked templar's table (). "You want I should play other song for you? How about 'Bear and Maiden Fair'?"
At the mere raise of the Qalifa hand near Yuri and Tochrais, her body shifts to the side almost instantaneously, though for a second you could have sworn that she was within arm’s reach as she handed off your drink to the table. She looks back up at you now at some 5 feet away.
”Is is.. is.. That all siiir!!”
Yuri voice crumbles into a stuttering response.
Meanwhile, the silvery cat purrs ever so slightly to Madam Touch; lifting its head and rubbing against your hand. The feeling of the fur almost seems unnatural, very course and rough even for a clean cat. The eyes catch light of the fireplace in the corner and sparkle with a luminous shine. As Madam walks away, the silvery cat looks back to the empty bowl of milk and then back at Madam and followers her back to the table, and rubs up along her leg.
When Vernonia sits at the table she noticed that a bottle of wine rest upon the table, fairly certain that it wasn’t there when you ordered it.
Looks up to the cat folk. Do you know "red is the rose"? Holding up a silver piece Tis my favorite song. I asked the village bard to sing it every night.
interesting...
How did I miss that?
She lays a silver on the table next to the bottle and pour some into a glass.
I really have to stop being distracted by all this.
She sips her wine and watches the rest of the patrons and staff interact.
Zorza gives the cat a good scratching. She responds to Qalifa, "Of course I know 'Red is Rose'. Madam Zorza sees all. Sing if you like. Now, I play!" She plays the tune slow and melancholy.
Aerek stops stuffing his face long enough to acknowledge the playing of the sligo (what his people called the violin).
For the first time since he had entered this place, the Kellid felt somewhat at ease, a fact that is reflected by the raven's attempts to "dance" upon his shoulder as it bobs its head up and down in time to the music while Aerek continues to finish his soup.
The music ever so soft and gentle is soothing to the patrons, and captivates many of the guests into a near swaying musical trance. Meanwhile, breaking through the sound of the music a dwarven voice deep and drunken slurred speaks up from a sleep like state with his head still flush to the table.
"Maaaaiiiddd, Annnother Aleee"
Many of the other people within the tavern gave the drunken dwarf an evil glare but continue to listen to the soft gentle music. Many of the guests had a perplexed look of astonishment to a song, which it appeared many have not heard before.
""
Several songs later, Zorza uses Qalifa's silver piece to buy both of them another round of drinks. "May I join you for drink? I am called Zorza. What is name I should be calling you?"
He looks up apprehenfivly and grunts, reaches out his massive hand, to embrace the cat folk musician.
"I am Hung Paladin of Irori, how may I improve your day. I know, play for me your most difficult song. The one requiring the most skill. "
Please join us. I am Qalifa and this is Tochrais. I don't believe I have ever heard that song played so well before.
As the 1/2 orc speaks up Qalifa realizes what he is. He tenses ready to strike should the orc get aggressive.
What? How did he get in here? Has the guard lost it's mind? He could be a spy!!
all thoughts of the strange elven girl having fled his mind
Zorza looks the paladin up and down. "If you say so," she says, "Is pleasure to meet you, Paladin of Irori. I am soothsayer from everywhere and nowhere. You have tusks like orc, but you are not killing me, and you have skin like man. What is story?" She motions for Hung Dong to join them.
"My story is a long one but as you may have already guessed I am a half-breed."
Hung Dong pauses and looks up and to the left his eyes starting to slightly lose focus.
"My mother was a human, a prostitute of Calastria. My father however was an Orc, he was a cleric of Nulgreth giving him power and station in my clan........."
Hung Dong starts to trail off looking up and to the left again.
Vernonia sits quietly eavesdropping on the conversation at the next table.
So many races in one room. I never thought I would see a Catfolk, a Sylph, and a Half-Orc all sitting together peacefully discussing music.
She looks again to see when the barmaid is going to pick up her silver piece from the table.
Zorza's head slumps forward involuntarily, jolting her awake with a start. "Very interesting!" she blurts, "Is good story. Explains much. What brings Paladin to Walking Man? I am wandering world, looking for good people, safe place. I am wondering if Walking Man is safe place. Paper at entrance to Waywyrn Lodge tells Zorza about missing elf maid. Maybe Walking Man not so safe. Maybe I find girl, make Walking Man safe place."
The old drunken dwarf lifts up his freshly filled mug that Yuri dropped by as she was passing around drinks and food and some sluggish words escape his lips.
”Thhhaat be thee Blacksmmithers daughter, sheee be fixxxing my babbby Bloodsinger”
The Dwarf coughs a bit as he takes a swig from his trusty mug of Ale, barely breaking his cheek from the table surface. Slouched over and for all purpose should be completely passed out yet for some reason his body wills him to drink more; Although, not once did he lift his head or glance in the way of the travelers.
”Shee beee a gooood Smiiith, sooo long shee doon’t be harmming me babby. Besst yall bee talllkingg to herr if youuu braveee enough.”
The dwarfs eyes just about roll back into his head, but he wobbles his head a little on the table and manages to take another gulping swig from his mug.
Meanwhile, Yuri was attending several of the guest food, and collecting her coins from the tables that had placed orders. The craziest thing, Krong still remained up behind the bar putting up glasses and nearly on cue answered any person who entered the Waywyrn Lodge.
As the evening continued on many of the guest started drifting off to their rooms or leaving the Lodge for whatever means they had to attend to. By the time the Dwarf had said anything, nearly the entire Lodge has cleared out accept for a few random strangers.
The silver smoked color cat took a liking to Madam as she stroked her fur many times throughout the night, a feline follower of sorts. However, that didn’t leave the cat to not roam further as she brushed up against many of the “Groups” legs asking for attention.
The night was getting late, around 10pm, the moon had crested over the buildings and could now be seen in the windows, it was nearly a full moon, some three days off, with partial clouds scattered throughout the sky.
While listening to the orc's tale. Qalifa grips his spear tightly.
how much of that tale is true and how much was fabricated to get us to let down our guard?
Qalifa turns to Zorza.
Walking Man is the safest place around. I was thinking of looking for her too. She is probably lost in the woods or ran oft with a lover. Hopefully no animals have gotten her. Would be a great shame. The villagers would fixate on slaying the animal for doing what is in it's nature. The more eye and ears on the search the better our chances of finding her.
and too keep an eye on the orc. He maybe the one responsible for her missing
@Madam
Hung Dong looks at the catfolk focuses his gaze.
"I am here to spread the good word. Only through enlightenment and self reflection can we move forward. Irori himself became a god not through the use of a star stone but through pure will power and the desire to improve.
Now what is this you say about a missing girl, I saw the sign but did not consider the full implications. Maybe there is some way I can help."
"Ran off with lover is not so bad." opines Zorza in response to Qalifa's optimistic conjecture. "We will look for elf girl together. Is late. Let us sleep tonight and see blacksmith in morning. Anyone who wants to help find elf girl, meet here for breakfast. Thank you for information, drunken dwarf. We will check on baby."
Zorza asks Yuri for a room.
Vernonia hears the dwarf and two words click in her mind. Blacksmith's daughter. She picks up her bottle and cup, and moves over to sit beside the dwarf.
She summons Yuri to the table and lays a silver piece down, "I think he has had enough ale for one night. He seems to be suffering enough and a hangover in the morning will not help him any. What is his name?"
After Yuri tell her she dismiss her and quietly says to the dwarf, "Tell me more about the blacksmith's daughter. Do you know what has happened to her?"
Yuri picks up the silver coin at the Dwarf table once she arrived, looking at the Dwarf and Vernonia she replies in a hesitant voice.
”I..I.. am not sure you you want to take his Ale away Miss! He he been drinking since the early morning.”
The Dwarf rears up drunkenly nearly falling out of his chair for the first time, throws his hands to the edge of the table to brace his unbalance.
”Doooon’t bee thiiinkiing about stoooppping me Ale!!!”
The Dwarf turned and looked at Vernonia his eyes nearly floating, unable to look you directly in the eyes.
”Ooo I knowwwww littllleee about theee oooollddd haaag in theee woodsss taaaaking chillllddren. Ifff you excusess meeee, I gooott to draiiin theee greeaaat Oaaak.”
The Dwarf pushes off the table to gain a semi unbalancing stance. Abruptly reaches down to pick up his mug of Ale and starts to walk down around the room in a extremely drunken state bumping all the chairs and some few people as he makes it to the door. He points to a direction outside as if reminding himself which way the restroom was, exiting the front door. The front creaked and cracked as you could hear a loud stumble and a collapsing fall.
Vernonia follows the dwarf. At the bottom of the stairs she helps the dwarf up, spins him in the direction of the bathroom, and marches him off. Once there she waits outside while he finishes his business.
When he emerges she says, "I think it is time to sleep it off. Tomorrow is going to be a busy day. Tell me where you live and I will get you there and on the way you can tell me about Bloodsinger."
"Elf woman asks good questions," says Zorza to Hung Dong and Qalifa. "We should take her with us tomorrow."
The sound of the dwarf collapsing tempts Zorza's inner thief, but she resists the urge to rob him. There will be other opportunities, and she does not want to tarnish her reputation in Walking Man just yet.
"Dwarf can wait," she thinks to herself. "Finding him sober will be trick. He will be drunk and easy target another day."
Aerek casts an annoyed glance at the bellowing dwarf, which causes his raven to caw rather loudly and spread its wings defensively, as though it seeks to protect its bearer.
While Vernonia effort to support the Dwarf was honorable it was already too late, you are practically holding a passed out drunken Dwarf, at which point has soaked his garments with Ale and apparently urine. The dwarf studded leather will need a good rinse in the morning should he come too.
Madam noticed the Dwarf never paid for one mug of Ale; at least as far as you could tell, but your eyes notice that his pouches seemed thin.
Aerek your eyes catch immediate attention to the silvery cat as it leaped into a chair nearby and started wiggling its tail, in a crouched pounce like state in your raven direction. The cat was slowly approaching the raven with subtly but the leap to the chair was what caught your attention.
Hung your presence is actually rather destabilizing too many of the remaining guests, many of them uncertain of your intentions regardless of your words. You can see that many of them know of the Orc threat in the area and you have a good understanding about why from your heritage, primarily the anarchy and domination that the Orc Lord has cast over majority of the lands. Though you intentions are good, many cannot find the light in your ways just yet, with that in mind it is the reason many have yet to acknowledge your presence within the tavern, as Orcs are known to run in packs/groups and you run solo.
Stands up and addresses the tavern.
Then it is settled. We will return with the rising of the sun and begin our search for the missing girl. An should foul play be involved
glances out the side of his eye at the 1/2 orc
We shall bring the perpetrators to justice. I am Qalifa, my friend here
motions to the 5'2" eagle.
is Tochrais. We pledge ourselves to this cause.
Inclines his head politly to Madam and walks out the door heading for his tent with the survivors of his tribe.
Fluffs up her feathers spreading her wings to look as big as possible.
screeee
and hop waddles out the door with Qalifa
Hung Dong pays close attention as the Dwarf speaks. Almost opening his mouth to asks a question of the Dwarf, he decides it's better to wait and not draw attention to himself. As the other get up to leave he moves with them acting as if part of the group.
Wary of the people in the room watching him Hung Dong asks Qalifa.
"Would you like to split a room?"
Momentarily taken aback at the 1/2orcs suggestion. Qalifa takes a couple of seconds to respond.
Ahh no...no thank you I have family to stay with.
What is his intention? was here trying to get me to let my guard down?
"Is good thing Qalifa thought of excuse not to share room with Paladin," thinks Zorza. "If half-orc gets hungry in middle of night, we find only Qalifa's bones with tooth and tusk marks in morning."
"Now I really must go to bed," says Zorza. "I will see you all at daybreak." She sets off for her room, with Yuri's guidance if necessary, and locks the door.
With quick and deft movements, Hung Dong puts his hand on on Madam Zora shoulder and asks her if she would like to share a room.
"May I please share a room with you I'll split the cost and pay you an extra copper."