Carth holds back a full laugh, opting for a quiet chuckle instead. "Look at me." He point at his horns with a thumb "If everyone was judged on their origins alone than I would be just as bad, but I prefer to judge people on their character. From the little I've seen of you you're a perfectly pleasant woman, and I've no doubt you can take care of yourself if it comes down to it. And the fact that you live and work in this Kirk is extremely interesting, I would love to hear more about that."
Carth extends a hand to Zegeneva "Carth, pleasure to meet you. And glad to have you with us."
"Thank you Lady Cirthana. Let's be off!"
Carth turns to head out the door.
Brunhild smiled. It had been so long since she had sincerely smiled without reservation. There was always her work in the back of her mind, the fear of old age, of a challenge unbested. But here she was, with an angel saying that it trusted her judgement. Looking at him she felt at ease. She snapped out of it, suddenly aware of the awkward pause.
”Uhm. Yes. Yes! I’ll go over now to get her, and you can do your prayers. It’s up to Laurel if you can do them here, or I can show you to our chapel. And...Maronhai. Would you come with me? I am afraid that without you next to me nobody will believe me.”
Laurel replies
"Walking around out there, you might need supplies.
The Goose n Gander should have some as you search for the ingredients."
Ashlyn abruptly shakes her head. "No. It's just that the first batch was too hot. I was careless. I could have been burned."
Bluff: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Zegenva narrows her eyes slighlty, but does not press the issue at the moment. When Carth extends a hand towards her, she does not take it, instead simply stating
Yes, let us be goin'.
Ashlyn gestures to her priestly vestments. "These aren't suitable for exploring. Please, give me a moment to change, or go on ahead and I'll catch up."
She hurries into her small private room in the temple and quickly changes into a simple outfit of blue, sinched up tight with yellow sashes. She pauses for a moment as she looks at her reflection in a water basin. Should I really do this? This town needs help, but am I even suited to help?
Drawing in a deep breath, she gathers her bow and quiver and her scimitar. Making sure her holy symbol is still around her neck, Ashlyn steps out and joins the others.
Carth leads the way to Goose n Gander.
"I run the Lady Rouge, and to get anti-plague you head to the Goose n Gander, though they might be low on it."
Kirk Group, you arrive at the Goose n Gander.
While Brickasnurd Hildrinsocks is restocking a self.
Brickasnurd Hildrinsocks:
Brickasnurd Hildrinsocks a short gnome sees the group enter
"Welcome, though if you looking for anti-toxin or anti-plague, we ran out over 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."
Adroushan finishes writing down the information.
I will find a secluded place outside to pray. I just left the Goose n Gander with supplies. I will meet you there in an hour.
Adroushan then leaves. He finds a secluded area to pray for spells.
He then meets the others at the gnomes.
Ashlyn's brows furrow with concern upon hearing of the unfair tax. A fire in her belly kindles, and she hears the faint echoes of screams of the furies demanding righteous punishment for the transgressors. For a moment, she smells the brimstone and feels the harsh eaves of Dis. Something on her back twitches.
She blinks and she's back in the Goose and Gander. "That's awful," she says. "But we're not here for that. We need to ask you something, and it may be uncomfortable for you. About your old village."
Maronhai. Would you come with me? I am afraid that without you next to me nobody will believe me.
Of course.
Bowing his thanks to Laurel, and saying farewell to Adroushan, Mahonrai follows Brunhild.
Brickasnurd Hildrinsocks:
with his Irish accent
"I don't mind folks asking about my old home town, Lass.
As I find comfort in that it can be a warning to others."
with his Irish accent
has a bit of a smile on his face
"My old home is kinda like how the Hollow is now, though it also had more then just one gnome like myself.
But one of the biggest differences was the appearance of things.
The place looked and felt; safe, secure, honest, friendly, welcoming, tolerant, and prosperous.
It was anything but those; the government had complete control, the taxes were awful kinda like the LC and Payday now.
Now people put up with the taxes cause of the freebies they gave,
but you had to agree with the government views to even get those.
Heck I bet the government at the time also controlled the town's underbelly, and what came from the priests mouths."
then sorrow and sadness show on his face as if he'd seen hell itself
"Before it fell problems arose; bandits and monsters attacking and raiding more frequently even after rebuilding and making better what they destroyed.
Then what came was like divine judgement; Drought, Famine, Plague, all at once.
And a winter like no other before it.
When spring came I ran into a tall human man with a hood of blue and white, his glasses were tinted a bit, and he was not a local.
The man said to me "The Judgement has been decided, If I were you Mr Hildrinsocks I'd leave and not return."
Needless to say I took his advise and left town though I was puzzled how he knew my name.
Now many others left alive after that winter stayed in town believing those in the government could help them.
Since all the local priests were struck dead with what they preached, saying those who were in power could help them more then themselves.
So the people lost their only spiritual support in town and took their dying preaching as truth, though I sure didn't believe it."
he then smiles a big smile
"Funny enough I ran across a caravan 2 days after leaving town,
I worked as it's cook and did a bit of entertaining for a month while enjoying the travel.
I did learn a few new things from them and had some fun times."
then the sorrow and sadness returns
"One day the caravan went back to my old home, and it was gone.
What was in it's place was sulfur, brimstone, salt, and some ruins.
And in the caravan we had a Dwarven miner known as Rocksmith was looking for a spot to start a new mine.
He noted that the sulfur and brimstone there were none like he'd seen before because of it's purity, it was over twice the purity found else where.
He wanted to build his mine there and I wanted to reclaim a few things from the rumble that was left.
But a priestess, and she was a tall beauty in red and white, who was with us at the time said this.
"This land was a place one on high delivered a great punishment for a great many sins."
Luckily Rocksmith was a religious follower of Torag decided to build his mine elsewhere.
Not wanting to build a mine and get wealthy over another's punishment, especially punishment from a god or goddess.
And I did not want to be alone in a place punished by a god or goddess.
Rocksmith even put up a sign in Dwarven and Common to stop other Dwarves and prospectors from thinking about opening a mine or getting wealthy from there.
But Rocksmith was curious about why I wanted to stay and had me reveal my tale about the town and he put it up with his sign, so as there would be a memory of what happened."
then he cheers up a bit and cracks a big smile
"Now funny thing is that the priestess told the Rocksmith he'd did good in her lord's eyes and he'd receive grace and some wealth in turn.
Years later Rocksmith is down to his last few coins and living in his mine.
Then one day it almost caves in on him and the cave-in reveals a rich vein of high quality Mithral.
And boy did get a rich from that one vein.
Now I even heard he went back to the spot where he planted his signs and made a stone monument there.
The monument serves as both a warning and witness for the area, but also a warning to others.
I've heard he's been having nothing be good luck since."
his face then goes neutral
"Now I did hear of a group of dwarven prospectors who didn't heed the warning left behind, and even heard they died one by one.
Rumour has it one become an undead and is forced to patrol that forsaken place to punish those that seek riches from the town's punishment."
then he cheers up with a bit of a smile
"If did not run into that Man or priestess I would of been dead in that place either once or twice already.
Since then I've been way more religious, and try not to be like the deception of my old home town.
It's also the one reason I help Lady Cirthana when I can.
Heck you can even say I've become a support for the spiritual support of this town.
As she's also heard my tale about my old home town and she at times during her sermons uses it as a warning about sin."
”To the Sitting Duck. Zegenva works there as a bouncer. Hopefully we can find here there.”
Carth leans back against the wall, hand on his chin.
"well that is quite the tale Mr. Hildrinsocks. We too spoke with this man in blue and white, and he had some strange things to say. Lady Cirthana mentioned an old Dwarven Monastery, I was hoping you could point the way there for us."
Ashlyn hugs her arms to herself as she listens to the gnome's tale. She looks to Carth when he speaks and then back to the gnome for his answer.
Zegenva will silently listen to the gnome as he tells his tale. When he finishes and Carth speaks up, she will lean against the wall and wait for a response.
”To the Sitting Duck. Zegenva works there as a bouncer. Hopefully we can find here there.”
Brickasnurd Hildrinsocks:
with his Irish accent
"You ran into him, oh dear.....I hope it is not a sign of trouble.
As for the Dwarven Monastery, I know not.
Best to ask one of the Lumber camps, Lad.
Sauntering up, Brunhild spies Segenva. With Mahonrai in tow, Brunhild felt almost as tall as the anger. A priest and an angel! Following me? What a day... Upon seeing her she calls out ”Segenva! We need to talk. I-...who are these people? Friends of yours?”
Edit: RETCON
Mahonrai stands silently behind Brunhild, waiting to see who will join the cause.
Turning to Ashlyn and Carth, Zegenva will say
I think we should do as Mr. Hildrinsocks here says, and head up towards one of the lumber camps if we wish to learn where this monastery is.
Addressing Mr. Hildrinsocks, she will ask
Is there any advice you could give on how to deal with the Lumber Consortium? I've heard that they are not very nice.
Rude! Turning to Mahronhai, she said ”Perhaps it would be best for you to say hello. It will get everyone’s attention...”
Mahonrai winks at Brunhild, and says
Brickasnurd Hildrinsocks:
with his Irish accent replies to Zegenva
"Oh, they aren't very nice, Lass.
But to deal with them, it might take a divine hand to kick them out of their roosts."
Ashlyn spins and brings up her hand to cover her mouth to stifle a gasp. A group of people had shown up behind them including a tall being practically glowing with an inner light. She glances back to Carth and Zegenva to gauge their reactions as she takes a step away from them.
Carth turns to the new group as well.
"well you're an impressive looking lot, especially you" He gestures at Mahonrai.
"I think Zegeneva is right, we should be off as quickly as possible, I don't imagine this is going to be a short of very pleasurable interaction."
Carth, begins to walk out the door before having a thought and turning back to the group of newcomers. "None of you happen to have any pull with the Lumber Consortium do you?
I certainly don't. Zegenva replies to Carth's question. I also don't have any sorta divine hand, as Mr. Hildrinsocks suggested. What 'bout any of you?
Entering the Goose n Gander, Adroushan waves over to Mahonrai and Brunhild.
My apologies for my late arrival. I figured since we are venturing into dangerous territory, Erastil's blessings would be helpful.
The handsome--although in an outdoors way--turns to the strangers gather around the angel.
Probably happens a lot!
Hello. My name is Adroushan. Lumber Consortium?
Mahonrai greets Adroushan with a wave, so as to not interrupt the conversation. He sees Ashlyn stepping away from him, so he tries to be as unobtrusive as a seven and a half foot tall glowing angel can be.
Ashlyn blinks several times in near disbelief. "Excuse me? Carth, do you know these people?" She eyes the angel warily.
"We were visited by a cryptic man who indicated a possible solution may lie within some Dwarven ruins. But that there's also a slumbering evil there. Have you heard this too?" the raven-haired woman asks everyone in the room as she tries to figure out why these newcomers have shown up at the store.
”Slumbering evil? What? We’re here about the plague. Going to find the ingredients for a cure, and needed another sword. I came to ask Zeg here to come because she’s the only person I know here who knows how to swing a weapon at anything but a tree. And who are you again?”
Angels, clerics, mysterious men, slumbering evils...what the hell is going on here today?
Carth looks back at Ashlyn with a gleam in his eye, half mischievous, half perfectly innocent. "Hmmm? Nope, never met them in my life, but they look like interesting folk, just like you, HA! Besides, it not like we really no what we're looking for, maybe some one of them has a few ideas."
Looking like she regrets speaking up and casting attention on herself, the woman presses her lips together tightly. Reluctantly, she says, "I'm called Ashlyn Farwynd."
Greetings, Ashlyn, my name is Mahonrai. It seems that you are bound to investigate something evil, and we are also trying to stop another kind of evil. Perhaps we could join forces, and do both?
Ashlyn's eyebrows go up. "Another kind? What is it that you're trying to stop?"
Brickasnurd Hildrinsocks:
with his Irish accent replies to Ashlyn
"If one is observant, you can notice or hear of the evils lurking in the Vale and the Hollow and there are many evils about, Lass.
Some evils are easier to spot then others."
We are trying to cure a strange disease in this town. Something, or someone, has corrupted the well.
I've seen that many people in town are sick. Didn't know it was comin' from the well, though.
Adroushan steps toward the gnome.
Mr. Hildrinsocks. Hello again, sir. We were told of a possible cure for the disease from Laurel. We are heading deep into the woods. Any knowledge of that area would be most welcoming. She said something about the oldest tree and a witch?
Carth looks through the crowd at Anatoli. "I like him."
"It seems our little has group has grown into a real merry band. Not to rush anyone but the more I hear about all this the more I think it would benefit us to get to the bottom of all this rather quickly. To the Lumber Consortium first?"