Camlo smiles to the woman.
"Camlo Slavik, a humble Varisian entertainer, at your service. If I can do anything for you, you only need to ask."
He kiss her hand in a courtly manner, letting his charm shine.
Farid shrugs, "A spot by the fire it is then". He picks up the second mug and settles in to rest and wait for the next morning.
Auxavier, Bhoors, Camlo:
"No time for that, we need to get over to Roots and Remedies and see what we can do to help."
Turning to Auxivaer "Yes, please check with Laurel and ask her how you can help." Giving Auxavier a hug. And be safe I can't lose you too."
As the group walks out she says. "Bhoors! Keep him safe.....Please. May Iomedae blessing be with you."
In a normal voice she yells. "Elsa, get this man dinner and reserve him a cot by the fire."
Seeing Tila take a deep breath eased a knot in Ruthviren's chest that he hadn't even noticed. He echoed it, letting it out in a deep sigh. Then, still largely ignoring his father, he poked his head through the ratty blanket that served as a curtain separating the rooms.
"Asilane? It's me...Roo..."
"Don't worry, we will do our best!"
As the group walks out she says. "Bhoors! Keep him safe.....Please. May Iomedae blessing be with you."
Bhoors looks back and winks at the priestess encouragingly, "I will."
As the three move through town Bhoors looks about more warily. He stops from time to time if he passes anyone he knows is a Consortium guard or enforcer taking note of their behavior.
"Who are this "Consortium" guys?"
He notes eyes glazing over on his economics lesson. "The Lumber Consortium was established to regulate the harvest and trade of Darkwood. There are lumber jacks who don't work for the consortium but they cannot cut or trade darkwood under the law. . . yes its a bull#$%$ law."
He continues, "Basically if you want to cut and trade the timber that will make you golds instead of coppers you have to work for the consortium as long as you given them 5 silvers."
Farid laughs at the pronouncement as he is about to walk away, "I am no civilized man who would be laid low by illness. Days within the desert with no food or water did not kill me so why should a simple cough? If my friend is here I shall find him, if not I shall find to where he has gone next".
When Elsa brings his dinner Farid grunts in thanks to the barmaid. He sits by the fire and stares into it, brooding on the events that brought him here, Disease will not stay my hand in this. I will see this through...
Auxavier, Bhoors, Camlo
"Truth is the law has likely been twisted so far from the original purview of what is covered that the law lacks legitimacy....in other words I will not follow it."
".....ahh....Roo....is that ....cough... you? She opens her bloodshot eyes.
"yes, Laney, its me. Oh, sister, how long have you been like this? No, no stay in bed. I'm here, I'll see if I can get a remedy or a healer...back soon. "
He tries not to let his soldier's near-superstitious fear of illness show through in his voice, expression, or the way he hastily backs out of the room.
He pauses only long enough to ask his father how long she has been like this, and to ascertain whehter Roos and Remedies is still in town, and where it used to be, before slinging his pack back over his shoulder and nigh unto charging out the door. He hefts his hammer from where he had driven the butt-spike into the ground, and heads briskly toward the apothecary, such as it was.
Ruthviren does not really acknowledge anyone he sees in the road, and walks a tad bit more briskly than most as he makes his way east through the streets. From the Low Market, he sees a handful of people around or entering the shop, too far away for him to distinguish faces.
It was only then, seeing a small crowd at the apothecary, that he remembered that his father said "sick...like everyone else" or something like that.
His gut felt like he had swallowed a chunk of ice...whole...
Bhoors looks up from talking with Camlo and Auxavier. Bhoors nudges Auxavier as Ruthviren approaches. "Lookers here cousin," he nods pointing out Ruthviren "Isn't that the troublemaker you used to run with a few years back?"
Roots and Remedies
Creeping ivy and full window boxes cover the façade of the rugged-looking, two-story shop bearing the faded sign “Roots and Remedies.” Even though the sun is going down a line of twenty-some somber townsfolk—some with pale, wheezing children, others seeming to be precipitously near tears—stretches from the open door.
Bhoors takes a few steps, "Frak me." He lets out a disappointed and frustrated sigh. "The Hollow never fails to disappoint." He throws up a hand indicating the crowd and the long line. He lowers and shakes his head distraught at the sight,"Erastil help these folks."
Camlo takes a cloth to his face, covering his nose and mouth...
"Let's go to see if we can help... keep close to me"
She tries to make his way in.
"Please let us pass. Coming thru! Special delivery to the owner!"
Bhoors looks up from talking with Camlo and Auxavier. Bhoors nudges Auxavier as Ruthviren approaches. "Lookers here cousin," he nods pointing out Ruthviren "Isn't that the troublemaker you used to run with a few years back?"
"That is a long list of potential suspects......which one?"
You talk to Yangrit Stonedam for about 15 minutes and she tells you that she has seen your friend but he does not go by the name you gave her. He goes by the name Saru Sattar and she often sees him in the herbalist's shop buy herbs for smoking. She tells you it is just south on the road right out her front door.
"That is a long list of potential suspects......which one?"
Bhoors scoffs "Yes your long history of moral corruption . . . you skipped Oathday school . . . once." Bhoors points out Ruthviren directly. "You know that kid . . . well guy . . .he's older now."
Looks like, But can't imagine he would ever return to the hollow...Your right!"
Aux calls out.....
"Roo! Hey Roo!"
Farid gathers his belongings and grins in appreciation at the Dwarf woman's time. "If I had more coin to give to you for this information I would. My thanks is all I have at the moment. Perhaps one day I can repay this favor in another way". With that he stands and heads to the herbalist shop.
Farid breathes a sigh of relief as the walk is quite short, in fact he walked by this place o his way to the Inn but paid it little attention.
Seeing the line of people he begins to scan it looking for "Saru".
Perception
RUthviren, seeing the line at Roots and Remedies, walks slowly toward it, head down a bit, brow furrowed.
Was that my name? he wonders sielntly, head jerking up and looking around.
"Auxavier?"
"Yes it is I."
"Roo! Good to see you I had thought the vale was long behind you."
Auxavier clasps hands with Roo....
"I am afraid your timing is a benefit for the good, as the hollow is sick and we are going to see what can be done about it."
Creeping ivy and full window boxes cover the façade of the rugged-looking, two-story shop bearing the faded sign “Roots and Remedies.” Even though the sun is going down a line of twenty-some somber townsfolk—some with pale, wheezing children, others seeming to be precipitously near tears—stretches from the open door. You also see a group of what look like adventures/soldiers talking with each other at the back of the line.
You do not see Saru/Amin in the line.
"Please let us pass. Coming thru! Special delivery to the owner!"
DC 16 Bluff
You nearly make it thru the line to the front door when a man with thick brown hair and brown eyes, and a thin nose wearing worn clothing and several small tools hang from his belt steps in front of you. "Wait in line just like everyone else!" He widens his stance.
A few more people in line give you stares and murmur.
Just notices Camlo....
"Enough Chicanery Camlo, let us demonstrate patience in this line, besides, we just found Roo."
Glances at Bhoors and shrugs while shaking his head......
As the adventurers come to the back of the line Farid chuckles, "Nice try. Sick people are best not to test, like cornered snakes they lash out, especially when protecting their young.
Tell me friends, have you all just arrived or have you been here for the past several months?"
Bhoors doesn't look to happy but Auxavier's push interrupts him talking back to the man blocking their way. Annoyed he gets ready to argue with Auxavier. He glances over at the stranger. "I suppose that is true. Years more than months when not in the wild here around. I'd ask but you have the look of the south, what brings you to Falcon's Hollow?"
Farid nods to Bhoors with a half grin on his face.
"I seek a friend who has journeyed here, from the south as you have guessed. He owes me a favor for events in the past and I wish to call my favor back. He goes by the name Saru. Perhaps you have heard of him?"
Laughs heartily....
"Bhoors an I are locals, though we only spend a a tithe of our time in town, mostly just checking in every once and a while. We spend most of our time out of town."
"I was hoping for some street meat this time around but the smell of it told me it had turned, though had Bhoors been there to dare me, I might have eaten it anyway."
"I do not recall meeting such a man, but plenty of men who do not want to be found disappear into the lumber camps."
"Too bad! We came to help! If you let us in, the faster we will be able to help the rest of you! But suit yourselves... if you asks us to wait... well, it's your cure, not mine."
Ruthviren still seems to be trying to absorb everything - the crowd, Camlo's gambit, seeing old familiar faces - and seems a little out of it.
"Didn't think I'd be back, but...I've been over Isger way, taking coin to put paid to the goblins and hobgoblins of the Chitterwood. My band, well, we came out worst in a tight spot, and wu'nt enough of us to put together another contract.
So I stagger back to Dustpawn, and there's a letter for me - first one ever in my life, really. You remember my sister? Asilane? Her husband, didn't make it out of the way of a topping, shuffled off to the Boneyard. Thought I'd take a stroll back to the Hollow, make sure an' Dad isn't drinking her dry, she had enough to get by, and such.
Only when I get here, not an hour ago, she's lying in bed, fit to cough out a lung. And her with a toddler, and another any month now. Now I think on it, Dad said something about everyone being sick. "
Ruthviren is obviously still putting this all together, thinking out loud as he tells his story. Then a look of anxiety settels over his broad features.
"Have I just walked into a plague town? What's this sickness? Is anyone dead?"
"It seems so, my friend. But don't worry, we are here to help! if you have nothing better to do, you seems like a good man to help us out! Why don't join us?"
"I'm not any kind of priest or doctor, but of course, whatever I can do! "
"Well it seems that we now have the man power needed to aid, it is now a matter of both focus and direction."
"Disease is meant to cull the weak. Does it make sense to pursue a disease if you are healthy?" Farid asks as the strangers around him discuss aiding sick people.
"My family has been culled enough" growls Ruthviren, eyeing Farid askance. "The hole @#$% Hollow has been culled enough. Aye, I'll pursue it, if there's hope for a cure."
"Nobody is alone with his family, no one is weak with his tribe."
Camlo recites a Varisian saying at Farid's comment.
"Are you speaking of livestock or of men? The wisdom and experience of wise old men and women is to be valued for guidance of the young, even in the harshest of lands the tribe is stronger for the knowledge and experiences of the elders."
"I think Farid is speaking of other circumstances."
Glares at the man for his harsh words, then smiles at him to encourage him to hear his message.....
"Roo I am sorry to hear of your mother's sickness, indeed we need her well as both you and the sweet babe have need of her."
Bhoors looks at Fared with suspicion and his eyes flare at the mans words. He lets out a deep breath. "Who can say they are strong that looks only to them selves, that is a cowards way. It is our friends and family you speak of allowing to be culled. We men of the Vale look to our own is it so different in the South. . . or do you live as Orcs?"