Perched at the edge of civilized lands, the small town of Falcon’s Hollow has always had to rely on itself to solve its problems.
Meanwhile, the uncaring lumber barons squeeze the common folk for every last copper, deaf to their pleas.
Now the hacking coughs of the sick are heard throughout town. The plague has come to Falcon’s Hollow and the town’s leaders can’t be bothered to stop it.
Falcon’s Hollow is also a Den of Vice and Sin live, Where a few good souls keep it from falling further like one long lost civilization of long ago.
But even Sinners and Falcon’s Hollow can earn redemption should the right people step up and redeem it.
Your in the Roots and Remedies with Laurel, helping her with a line that started this moring though a dozen or so came in yesterday with the same symptoms.
Yesterday night Laurel said met with Sheriff Deldrin Baleson raising her concerns that an outbreak might be starting...
And before the line started you heard her say "I hope Sheriff Deldrin blocked off access to that well."
Your Lord informs that your still young, but you also need to grow on your own for a time.
For some reason you felt something both pushing and pulling you to Falcon's Hollow.
You arived at a cutyard and scared the crap out of Jarlben and the only person who helped you was Joanne and she warned you about certain characters in town.
Namely those in the Redrock Guild, the higher ups in the LC and a few others. Joanne also introduced you to Milly. You've been in Falcon's Hollow for 2 days now.
You've caught the eye of Kabran, you know he's planning something. Though he's yet to make his move.
Duke was more inpressed in that you beat up Kabran's Goons in the Sitting Duck, and hired you for it.
He has no fear of Zegenva, as he knows a few other tieflings in town.
Zegenva's might and first display or might is what has generated fear.
You've been at the Kirk for six months now and it has given you some comfort.
Lady Cirthana seems to be the only other priestess in town and seems to get some pressure from the LC to stop adn drop certain subjects in her sermons.
But you've also noticed that Lady Cirthana does have her own support in town like Lady Cirthana is to you.
Brickasnurd Hildrinsocks has helped with things around the Kirk and give the needed support for Lady Cirthana.
Though a Mystery has arosen for the past 3 months a Tall man in Blue and White talks a bit to Lady Cirthana and drops off a large tithe,
which covers the exact cost of repairs for the Kirk that the LC did in that month.
Though oddly Lady Cirthana never seems to get his name....
You just arrived into town head to the Goose’n’Gander (The General store) to pick up fresh supplies.
Brickasnurd Hildrinsocks is the owner of the place.
You've arrived at the Hollow a week ago, and started gathering infomation about the area's legends to see if they'll point you your ancestors.
Your Currently at the Jak'a'Napes.
After picking out the perfect piece of darkwood with Joanne, he thanks her, and he goes to walk through town, trying to sense what is pushing and pulling at him. He stops to say Hi to Milly as he passes the smithy, but continues to walk, intent upon his purpose.
As you walk by the Roots and Remedies you notice a large line forming with folks whom seem to have a cough or cold....
Mahonrai wonders why so many people are ill in such a small town. He wanders over to the end of the line and asks (in his softest voice possible, so as to not scare anyone else as he did Jarlben):
Is there a sickness going around?
He doesn't add any follow up questions for now, hoping that people won't be scared of him and will volunteer what they think is going on.
Diplomacy check please
Carth wolfs down the last few bites of his lunch. He hurries over to the bar, drops his plate, and calls over to Jak. "Hey, Jak! you got a second? Is there someone or somewhere in town with a good record of Falcon's Hollow's history? There's a few things I want to check out."
Jak:
Jak replies:
"Given this town, I think you've visited every spot in town that has open records,
the only records left would be in the high part of town and the LC does not like showing any records they have.
If your still looking for information You'd need to ask the locals themselves.
I think Laurel or Lady Cirthana might have some information you seek."
Zegenva is standing near to the entrance of the Sitting Duck, eyeing the lunchtime crowd for signs that any of them would be troublesome today.
Occasionally, she will glance out a nearby window, both to see if she can spot anybody tied to Kabran, or to simply see if anything interesting is happening outside.
Walking through town, a young pale-skinned man, carrying a brace of rabbits, heads in the direction of the Goose’n’Gander. He stands roughly 6' tall and 180 pounds. His traveling outfit varies in different shades of greens and browns. A well used longbow is perched across his back. A simple dagger hangs on his belt. His blue eyes brighten his dirty blonde locks. The young hunter appears in no hurry; as if, this experience (of being in town) is new...
Zegenva you notice the lunch crowd is lighter then normal, and there is some coughing....
Brickasnurd Hildrinsocks:
A short gnome greets Adroushan
Mr Hildrinsocks seeing the gentleman in the store
"What can I do for ya, Lad.
Though if you looking for anti-toxin or anti-plague, we ran out just an hour ago.
But it's a bit understandable with what blew into town.
Payday and some of his men collected it as a tax, that self-serving b***ard.
Couldn't stand to let anyone else have a chance, Oh I bet he'll be judged soon for the misery he's caused."
lets out a bit of a sigh
"Almost reminds me of what made me leave my old home.
I pray the same fate is not met here.
I think myself and the Lady of the Kirk is right, The Hollow is going to be Tested and Judged..."
let's out a last sigh.
Then picks himself up again
"But I can't let all this get me down.
Heck, that Satyr in town knows how to do a good prank and get a bit of a laugh, ....
though I think he picked the wrong person, at the wrong time, with the wrong prank."
Mai:
"Zegenva, dear you can take a bit of a break since I don't think we'll be getting a big crowd today,
as I've seen a line forming at the Roots and Remedies.
I hope it is not another outbreak like what happened 7 years ago."
Lowering her voice, Zegenva turns to Mai
What outbreak, Mai? I haven't heard o' any outbreak.
Mai:
Mai replies to Zegenva
"You weren't here 7 years ago when we had that outbreak, and it was bad it took out almost half the Hollow.
And when there is a line up at Laurel's place, it's generally a sign that something is blowing through town."
Carth, taps the counter and begins to leave. "Well, thanks for the tip, catch ya soon Jak."
He heads out the door, flipping up his ratty hood to cover his horns. He heads off down the road to see if he can find Lady Cirthana. Carth whistles quietly as he walks, he almost seems to dance a little jig as he walks.
The young man stops a few feet into the store. He stares at the gnome. Politely waiting for the gnome to stop to inhale, the youth quickly says,
Hello sir. I am in need of a few supplies. I have this fine brace of coneys for trade? Just looking for a few simple things is all.
Adroushan places them out in front of the gnomes nose.
Woman in Line:
She replies to Mahonrai
"It could be, though this could just be the seasonal cold going around."
Brickasnurd Hildrinsocks:
"Let's see, Oh the quality is good.
And what you'd be wanting lad?"
Carth makes his way to the Kirk to find Lady Cirthana. He knocks on the outside door before entering. "Lady Cirthana? Its Carth, I was hoping to talk with you a minute."
Zegenva, having seen what sicknesses can do while she had lived in the slums of Almas, Zegenva will say to Mai
You know, I think I will take that break. I feel that I need a breath o' fresh air, anyhow.
Waving to Duke and Mai from the door, Zegenva will exit the Sitting Duck and pull her cloak up to hide her horns. Leaving the tavern and glancing around the area, she travels down the road towards the Roots and Remedies. Planning to see just how sick these villagers are, she glances at anyone she passes to see if she can tell if they are sick or not.
It could be, though this could just be the seasonal cold going around.
This happens every year?
Adroushan hands over the rabbits.
Well, just some rope, flint and steel, and, maybe, some trail rations?
The youth then says,
What sickness are you speaking of? I haven't been in town before.
The door is opened by a young woman with raven-black hair and a haunted look around her eyes. "Hello, yes? Oh, the Lady is in the back. Please, come in and sit. I'll go get her. Could I make you a cup of tea while you wait?"
Zegenva you see a good lone line at the Roots and Remedies, and there are folks hacking a mean cough...
And someone you've not seen a young angel
Woman in Line:
She replies to Mahonrai
"Not every year, but this one also seems to be late for a seasonal cold."
Brickasnurd Hildrinsocks:
Mr Hildrinsocks guide you to the shelf with the rations
"Sorry we don't have much left, Payday also took half for his taxes."
Mr Hildrinsocks replies
"There is a new sickness in town, I don't know much about it.
But it's not as bad as the one that came into my old home town,
Oh It was horrible, as if it was divine punishment for what was going on."
My thanks, whatever you can spare. What are the symptoms? I am not a stranger to healing arts.
Brickasnurd Hildrinsocks:
Mr Hildrinsocks replies
"I'm not a doctor, so far the only symptom I know is a hacking cough, Laurel would know more."
Seeing the angel, Zegenva will immediatley attempt to hide behind something near to her in an attempt to avoid their notice. She will also be attempting to listen to what they are saying.
My thanks for the trade. May Erastil always guide your aim. I shall, perhaps, eat at a local tavern. Any suggestions?
Stowing his supplies, Adroushan turns to leave.
Laurel?
Not every year, but this one also seems to be late for a seasonal cold.
It also seems unusual that so many people would catch it all at the same time, unless you were all in the same place. Was there a festival in town, or did you all eat the same food, or do you all work in the same place? Do you recognize all the other people in line from anything in particular?
Oh, and I apologize for my rudeness. My name is Mahonrai, by the way. I'm pleased to make your acquaintance.
Brickasnurd Hildrinsocks:
Mr Hildrinsocks replies
"Thanks for the trade,
The Local Tavern is the Sitting Duck,
and a place to sleep is Jak n Napes."
Woman in Line:
She replies to Mahonrai
"No one would know the answer to that except Laurel, or Lady Cirthana?"
Ashlyn when you go find Lady Cirthana, she's chatting with the Tall hooded Man in Blue and White again.
And as you go to Lady Cirthana, you pass him.
As he passes Ashlyn he says
"History may be repeating itself here, through the eyes of a gnome. But for you be cautious and not wake an evil that slumbers below the Dwarven Monastery, One trapped in a Oxymoronic state."
Ashlyn is in a confused state and when she turns to question him he is gone.
Carth as you wait, you see a tall hooded man in Blue and White walk by.
"Wait. Hello?" Ashlyn spins back and forth, looking for the man. She stumbles backwards into Lady Cirthana.
"Did you see--?" she begins, but she can't finish describing the figure because she's not certain what she saw. "Who was here?" she finally asks.
As he passes Carth he says
"There are Contractions that are truth.
And You'll not find your answers here in the Hollow.
But might find them in ruins below, but wake not the evil that slumbers below."
Carth is in a confused state and when he turns to question him he is gone.
I prefer to be among the outdoors, but a quick bite at this Sitting Duck. Would this Laurel be a patron there?
Mahonrai looks at the woman, wondering how she could not know if she recognizes the people around her from somewhere... but then realizes she must not want to talk to him, and this is her way of brushing him off. So he thanks her, and moves farther back in line so she won't have to speak to him again. He doesn't know either of the people she mentioned, and he is obviously having bad luck with the local populous, but perhaps whoever is at the end of the line when he gets inside will know something. He tries to remember how intimidating he must seem to others, and doesn't approach anyone else while he waits. He just listens and observes to see if he can pick up any additional information.
"Yeah he went through the open doors as usual. So you've finally ran into our one major benefactor.
He dropped off his tithe again and again it perfectly matches the costs of repairs.
Funnier still again he drops it off right after I finished crunching the numbers for the month."
"Funny thing is I keep forgetting to ask his name each time he's here."
Brickasnurd Hildrinsocks:
Mr Hildrinsocks replies
"Laurel will very likely be in her shop Roots and Remedies since this thing blew into town."
Mahonrai you can while you were in line you felt a surge in sovereignty in town and it lasted about 5 minutes.
And it made you sweat a bit, as it felt higher then your own lord's sovereignty.
"Tea would be nice, thank you."
Carth, waits patiently for Lady Cirthana, sipping his tea. He takes off his hood and sits on the ground, crosslegged. When the strange man walks by and starts speaking nonsense Carth begins to rise, intending to follow after and ask what was meant. By the time he gets to his feet the man is gone. He slowly sits back down, perplexed.
Your in the Roots and Remedies with Laurel, helping her with a line that started this moring though a dozen or so came in yesterday with the same symptoms.
Yesterday night Laurel said met with Sheriff Deldrin Baleson raising her concerns that an outbreak might be starting...
And before the line started you heard her say "I hope Sheriff Deldrin blocked off access to that well."
Brunhild sat at her bench, grinding medicine with her mortar and pestle. The apprenticeship was going...fairly well. She was slowly starting to get it. She didn’t quite know why the Extracts she made worked on herself but made everyone else violently gag. Something about her ‘latent magic’ or somesuch. It would be awhile before she was anywhere near Laurel’s proficiency. Which was why their helplessness to stop the outbreak was worrying.
”I’m sure he will. It’s his job. But will they listen? It’s not like we have too many supplies of water, and most people here are as smart, and as stubborn, as a goat. Are you sure there isn’t anything in that recipe book of yours that could stop this? I could...look through it if you like.”
Adroushan nods to the gnome in gratitude.
Roots and Remedies. Thank you, sir.
The hunter for Erastil departs.
As he walks back outside, Adroushan looks around. He begins to actually look at the folks he passes, searching for this Laurel's shop.