From Altiendel:
Dulae arrives in Southtown on a cold, clear afternoon. Every outward breath makes a crisp cloud that trails behind her as she walks. She crests a small hill and the forest falls away to a flat expanse around Southtown, just north of the base of the mountains.
A soft layer of fresh snow fell that morning, leaving a blindingly bright and sparking carpet of white between her and the town. A dozen travelers moving by foot, horse, or wagon have left a thin brown track that winds softly between the large snowcapped rocks that mark the road.
The Abbhen mountains tower only a few miles away. They span most of the horizon ahead, shining brightly in the afternoon sun. Snow-topped evergreen trees grow thickly at the base of the mountains, dwindling to a few trees about halfway up the peaks. The jagged, rocky shapes of the mountains tops are easy to make out against the sky when Dulae lifts her head from the trail to see them. The sharp peak of Mount Oranis looms above all; the steep, ragged crags in its face highlighted by the fresh snowfall. The winding path of the Abbhen mountain pass emerges just east of the wide base of Mount Oranis, although the trail is hidden by the trees.
The Abbhen river runs swiftly and quietly about a quarter mile east of the road. The road has followed the river from the north, and Dulae has caught glimpses of it through the evergreen trees, growing wider and narrower by turns. Now the evergreen trees are sparse, yielding a good view of the river sinking into a sharp canyon that disappears into the Abbhen mountains.
Southtown sits snugly in the broad field at the base of the mountains, blanketed by snow and surrounded by a dense, green forest. Dulae sees more than a hundred plumes of chimney smoke rising cheerfully above at least as many buildings. As she gets closer, the road parts the structures into two halves, breaking to surround a large square in the center of the town before continuing on toward the mountains.
It doesn’t look like a bonfire has been built in the town square in at least weeks. That strikes Dulae as odd this time of year - winter is nearly here and for a town this size it is usually a weekly practice to have a night bonfire, if not more frequently.
Most buildings are made of wood in a southern-Altiendel style that is rich with Abbhen influences. This is particularly striking in the strong metal fixtures made to support hefty doors that help keep out the cold. On the side of the main road, Dulae spots an apothecary and physician's office, a blacksmith’s forge, an inn with a tavern and stables, a restaurant and tavern, a bakery, a butcher shop, a furrier, a tailor and shoe repair shop, and a large general store advertising magic items and gear for crossing the mountain pass. There seem to be more buildings of a similar wooden style farther away from the road that are either shops or dwellings for one or more families.
On either side of the road closest to the mountains are two large stone buildings. One is clearly a church of Altiendel, framed majestically against the mountains, and the other looks to be the Southtown military headquarters with wooden stables nearby. Both are clearly occupied, with five stone chimneys between them producing smoke. There seems to be a hand-written sign on the door of the military headquarters, but it is difficult to read at a distance.
Dulae notices the furrier and butcher shops both have someone out front nailing boards to the windows. There are about a dozen people out hurrying through the cold, but they don’t seem very friendly. No one makes eye contact with her as they rush by, carrying baskets of supplies and tools. This reminds Dulae of passing two families carting what could have been all their possessions away on the road.
A soothing gong sounds, signaling the end of the school day, and the town’s children emerge from their lessons at the church. They don’t look as rambunctious or jubilant as children normally do at the end of the school day. They keep their heads down and hurry away, some of the older children taking the hands of the younger. Dulae sees a flash of the blue robe of a cleric of Altien at the door before it shuts.
From Abbhen:
Alaina arrives in Southtown on a cold, clear afternoon, leaving the towering peaks of the mountains just behind her.
Alaina began trekking around Mount Oranis that morning during a light snowfall that whipped the snow into her face and eyes in the mountain pass. Walking through the afternoon in the clear sunshine did some to warm her up, but she feels chilled to the bone.
She hikes through the trees to find a broad clearing a couple miles wide and Southtown just ahead. Alaina can see many plumes of chimney smoke rising slowly above more than a hundred buildings.
Two large stone buildings are closest to the mountains. One has the aesthetic architecture of a church of some kind, and the other is built practically and simply, with wooden stables nearby. On the side facing away from the mountains, the building with stables is labeled as the Altiendel military headquarters. It has a handwritten sign on the front that reads: “Search and rescue - 200 gp per day to those able and willing to assist”.
There is a boy and a girl of sixteen or seventeen reading the sign with avid interest. They look like they may have traveled from another town or village nearby. They are carrying light equipment for the day and small water skeins.
Beyond the church and military headquarters, the town infrastructure is rather odd to Alaina. The wooden buildings seem somewhat flimsy; not built to withstand the cold of a hard winter blizzard. The buildings all seem to need more chimneys than they should. There is an impractically large square in the middle of everything that seems to split the road for no reason, but she notes it might be large enough to make a serviceable outdoor fighting ring in warmer weather.
On the main road, Alaina spots an apothecary and physician's office, a blacksmith’s forge, an inn with a tavern and stables, a restaurant and tavern, a bakery, a butcher shop, a furrier, a tailor and shoe repair shop, and a large general store advertising magic items and gear for crossing the mountain pass. There seem to be more buildings of a similar wooden style farther away from the road that are either shops or dwellings for one or more families.
Alaina notices the furrier and butcher shops both have someone out front nailing boards to the windows. There are about a dozen people out hurrying through the cold, but they don’t seem very friendly. Alaina sees three different people leave the general store clutching bundles tightly.
Henri and Cel arrive in Southtown in late afternoon. The air feels bitterly cold as the sun slips away, and Sally the horse’s heavy breaths make misty clouds that freeze onto her bridle and rein.
They made good time around Mount Oranis after waiting until after the snow had passed to travel. The trail has offered stunning views of the soaring mountains peaks, and now as they come out of the pass the trail winds through a forest of snow-topped evergreen trees.
As they ride through the trees it strikes Henri and Cel as odd that they haven’t seen any animals or animal tracks all day. Come to think of it, they haven’t heard any animals all day either; not even a bird.
The trail leads to a vast clearing, with Southtown just ahead. Henri and Cel can see many chimneys and plumes of smoke rising from the town. Two large stone buildings loom on either side of the road closest to the mountains. As they get closer, Henri recognizes one as a church of Altien, and the other is obvious to both of them to be the Alitendel military headquarters in Southtown. Henri notes that the military headquarters has warm-looking stables.
A little further down the road, they see more than a hundred buildings nestled evenly on either side of the road. Henri recognizes their wooden structure to be a familiar southern-Altiendel style, enriched with what she now recognizes as distinctly Abbhen-style metal fixtures.
On the main road, Henri and Cel see an apothecary and physician's office, a blacksmith’s forge, an inn with a tavern and stables, a restaurant and tavern, a bakery, a butcher shop, a furrier, a tailor and shoe repair shop, and a large general store advertising magic items and gear for crossing the mountain pass. There seem to be more buildings of a similar wooden style farther away from the road that are either shops or dwellings for one or more families.
There is some bustle of activity in the road as several small groups of townsfolk head to the taverns. Some are bunched close together, whispering quietly. One group is speaking heatedly, its members gesturing wildly.
Henri notices there don’t seem to be any members of the military on their way to the tavern with the general crowd. She knows that it’s usually a very common practice for those off duty, particularly in a small town with not much else to do.
Xizoh emerges from the Abbhen pass near to dusk. He follows a set of a few tracks out of the pass and through the snow-covered evergreen trees to a broad clearing. He notices another set of tracks of about two dozen people merge with the pass trail here; they seem to be coming and going from Mount Oranis.
Just minutes before, the setting sun made a spectacular palette of bright golds and oranges and deep reds on the mountains and the snow-covered trees. Now the clear sky is a deep purple as the first stars emerge.
It grew very cold in the shadow of Mount Oranis during his trek, and Xizoh’s breath is now frozen into any hair that falls on his face. As he emerges from the tree line to catch his first glimpse of Southtown, he feels a chill that has nothing to do with the cold. He notices a light mist slowly boiling at the peak of Mount Oranis and beginning to creep its way down the mountain.
Ahead, the lights of Southtown are burning warmly and he can barely see many trails of smoke in the hazy blue twilight. As he gets close enough to clearly see the well-lit church, the practically-lit military headquarters, and hundreds of lights beyond, he hears a bone-chilling howl from the mountain behind him.
"H-h-hey Henr-r-ri...w-why do you th-think there's-s no a-a-animals?" Cel says as his teeth chatter. "I-It's w-weird, isn't it? M-maybe we sh-sh-should check it ou-out?" Cel ponders for a second then shakes his head side to side quickly, "T-t-tomor-ro-row. T-too cold n-now!" Then, his eyes go wide in fear remembering the recommendations from the City of Iron, "A-and the d-dark!!" he yelps.
Cel is covered head to toe in thick clothing and draped with a big fur poncho with a hood. The hood has pushed his hair forward, so an onlooker more or less sees a pile of blankets with a nose, mouth, and the vague image of eyes behind the mess of hair and fur. It's tough to make out Cel's build, or for that matter, even his race among the fluff. His movement isn't hindered as evidenced by the speed at which his arm shoots up to point, finger flying just past Henri's ear.
"H-hey, a t-t-tavern! Let's go!" Cel says, neglecting to remember that horses need to be stabled and cared for. This trip is about the most time in his life he's spent on a horse, so the whole thing is a novel concept to him.
Henri pulls her hat's brim low over her eyes as Sally's hooves cross the threshold of the town. Glancing around at the various buildings, she lets out a quiet sigh. As hard as it was being back in Altiendel, it sure as hell is nice being in a village again.
As Cel stutters out his questions, Henri cocks her head a bit. "You're right. I thought it might be the village but-" She gets cut off as Cel expresses his feelings on the cold afternoon air, and a finger whizzes past her ear. Her head involuntarily jerks to one side, even though the thing probably wouldn't have hit her in the first place. She gracefully rocks herself off of the horse, landing on the right side of it, and gives Sally a pat on the neck. "Thanks, girl." Sally is draped in rough blankets, but Henri's still worried about her comfort. It would be good to get her out of the cold.
Henri stands tall next to the horse - back straight, head high, and with a pair of thick boots, she looked quite a bit taller than her minimal height would usually allow. Her thin face was hidden beneath several wrapped layers of a scarf, but beneath her mouth was still curved in a small smile, trapped somewhere between a grin and a smirk. Her dirty blonde hair was cropped just above her shoulders with her long bangs being swept to one side, and despite her best efforts, the scar dancing beneath her right eye was still visible between the scarf and her nearly clear goggles.
Her eyes are clearly elven in nature, blue and purple shards refracting in the irises. They glint brightly in the afternoon sun. Her ears extend to a sharp point close to her head, and a close look could spot a couple of stud piercings on either one. Beneath her heavy woolen layer that protects her from the fierce cold is a barely visible medium-length leather jacket. Completing her ensemble is her hat. While it's a short-brimmed affair, it's still able to keep the harsh suns out of her eyes and the snow out of her hair. The pair of feathers that accompanies the band of the hat are from some kind of bird - though Henri was never sure what kind. They're expendable anyway, easily lost in the first rounds of a fight, and easily replaced.
Henri looks up at Cel, and smiles through her scarf at him. "We've gotta take care of Sally, first, Cel. There's some stables right over there." She points to the inn, and glances at the arguing group, somewhat intrigued. "After that we can drink all the whiskey you want, okay?" She begins to lead the horse to the stable, and begins to fiddle with her coin purse, trying to rescue it from beneath her many layers. Surreptitiously, she attempts to listen in to what they are arguing about.
They had passed a tavern and restaurant called 'The Mountain Lute' that one group of townsfolk had stopped in. The group that is arguing, two men and a woman, seems to be headed to the inn and tavern.
There is a sign hanging from the inn and tavern that says 'Wolf and Bear Inn'. A small sign is nailed to the door directing those with horses to the stables and advising them to shout for 'Rik'.
Henri and Cel can hear snippets of the argument as the group enters the Wolf and Bear:
… place'll be bare as bones in a week, what’s to...
... ain't right... it's not natural's what it is...
... that boffin could find 'em quick as....
... matter? Three nights in the mist, they're all as good as...
Interesting. As she passes by the arguers, Henri let the thought pass through her mind, but continues to head over to the stables.
"You hear that?" She directs her voice towards Cel, "Sounds like some people've already given up on these missing soldiers. This mist everyone's been warning us about seems to have something more going on with it." Henri idly scratches at her scar as she thinks.
Henri finally fishes out her coin purse and opens it, looking at the paltry amount inside. After a moment, she calls out at the sign's recommendation: "Uh, Rik?"
Dulae paused for a moment as Southtown came into view, her breath forming a cloud in front of her. It had been quite some time since she had been this far south, and she didn't look forward to the cold nights to come. The sight of Mount Oranis filled her with a sense of unease; if the rumors were correct then something wicked was around that mountain.
She had passed several groups of people heading the opposite direction on the road, and had received more than a few meaningful glances. The caution was understandable; even from a distance it was clear she was heavily armed. Strapped to her back was first her shield, then her sword and unstrung bow, while at her hip sat a morningstar. While the cold of the day had caused her at first to wrap herself ina heavy cloak, soon her exercise had warmed her enough to remove it, revealing a shining breastplate adorned with Altien's holy symbol. The rest of her clothes were not nearly as impressive; well worn leather boots covered in the dirt of the road revealed the length of her travels, and her woolen pants showed the mends and stains of hard use. Close cropped hair, the better to fit inside a helmet, revealed a pair of subtly pointed ears.
"Curious... she muttered, her green eyes skipping from one building in the town to the next. "Has the disappearance of a patrol shaken this town so much?" She shook her head, sure that there was more to the story.
She made her way through the town, until she had reached the church. She pulled open the heavy door and entered, smiling in what she imagined to be a disarming way at the startled priest within, and knelt in front of the small alter set aside for individual prayer. Soon she was surrounded in a faint light, and the cold in her feet was swept away.
A few minutes later she stood and let the warmth slide away; there was work to be done.
"Altien's grace be upon us. She called out to the priest, who was watching her with curiosity. "I had come to help find my lost comrades, but something greater than that seems amiss. Can you tell me what has been happening in this town?"
Cel finally registering the argument that is happening nearby hops off the horse and starts sneaking closer to the group. He is vaguely registers what Henri said about the horse and the questions she asked him. "Uh huh..." he absent mindedly says as he heads towards the closest corner or dark alleyway that is within earshot of the people to get more detailed information about the mist and the "bare bones" comment.
The stables at the Wolf and Bear look warm a comfortable inside. In the dim lantern light Henri can see three woodstoves offering glowing, warm heat. The floor near the stoves is remarkably clean of hay, presumably to prevent fires. She can't see all the stalls from the doorway, but there seem to be a couple without current tenants.
After her call, she hears a rustling. A few seconds later, a gangly human boy of about 14 bounds out of a stall and over to the door. He's a bit dirty and trailing tendrils of hay. Henri notices he isn't wearing a coat or many warm layers, but he seems comfortable.
"Oh, she's a beauty." he says as he offers a gentle hand to pat Sally's head.
Looking at Henri, he says, "It'll be 2 silver for a stall 'til this time tomorrow, with feed and water. I can get her settled and brush her down for ya for an extra 2 copper."
He gives her an eager smile.
Cel reaches a narrow, dark alley between the Wolf and Bear Inn and its stables just as the inn door creaks shut behind the arguing group. There is a nearby window made of thick glass that distorts his view, but Cel can make out a well lit room, a roaring fire in a central hearth, and uninhabited tables close to the window. The blurry glass makes it hard to see much else.
Henri pulls the scarf away from her face, already sweating a bit from the warmth seeping out of the stable. "Nice place you got here, kid," Henri replies as she goes fishing in the coin purse for silver. "You run this stable all by yourself?" After some effort, she manages to pull out 3 silver coins, keeping the gold buried in the leather pouch, away from prying eyes. "Here, you can keep the change." She hands over the 3 silver with a smile and a wink. "I can spare another 3 if you've got any good gossip or rumors about this place."
As Dulae pushes open the door she is met with the sweet, familiar smell of burning incense and the comforting immersion of a well-heated space. Just inside there is a set of stairs on either side of the entryway leading downward. Ahead is a large room that serves as a chapel for worship, with an altar bearing Altien's noble features.
Lining the room are large windows of expensive clear glass offering spectacular views of the Abbhen mountains, including a triangular window at the top of the chapel wall closest to the mountains. The room is aligned so that the view standing near the entryway casts the towering frame of Mount Oranis in the peak of this window, framing Altien's altar in spectacular natural beauty.
The back of the chapel near the entryway has desks arranged in a classroom style, with small chalk workboards neatly arranged on each desk. On either side of the cluster of desks is a large woodstove with wood stacked neatly next to it. The priest, a woman in her early 40s, is seated at the largest desk, her attention focused on a paper that features the large exaggerated handwriting of a young pupil.
At Dulae's question, the priest rises from a nearby desk in the chapel, folding her hands in front of her robes in a stately fashion.
"Altien's grace be upon us." She gives Dulae a smile and a small, courteous bow. "I am priest Marion."
She walks slowly to the window overlooking Mount Oranis and clasps her hands behind her. "I fear this is indeed a dark time that you’ve come to visit us, traveler."
She watches the shadow of a cloud pass over the mountain with a frown. "The people of Southtown fear that mountain now, and I think it perhaps wise of them. "
Hmm, flimsy wooden buildings, this is certainly different from Abbhen City. Alaina thought. Adjusting the strap holding Greenwall over her shoulder, the Iron Wolf forged her five-foot-three frame through the cold to the tavern. Getting to the door, she pulled back her fur-lined hood revealing her light brown skin and short red hair. Closing her eyes, and taking a deep breath. Okay, remember what Dad said, 'You can't start a brawl at every tavern.' So, don't be your usual self. Just go in, order a drink to warm up, and keep an eye out for trouble. Opening the door, Alaina quickly scanned the room with her emerald eyes.
"No ma'am, this is my aunt's inn." He says politely, gesturing with his thumb toward the Wolf and Bear.
After Henri offers them, his eyes brighten and he reaches to take the coins. “Boy do I have a story for you!”
He collects his thoughts for a moment. “‘Bout a week ago my dog, Lady, she passed away, got real sick.” He looks sad and wistful for a beat.
“But I seen her! She were near here two nights back, all glowing.” He gestures excitedly.
“The mists came down real far that night - near on the edge of the trees. Folks were all worried. But I don’t think them mists are bad… I saw my Lady in and ‘round the edge of ‘em, running all cheerful-like.” He smiles briefly, before frowning.
“My ma got real mad when I found out I’d been out so late. But it were worth it.” He nods solemnly.
“She’s out there leading those missing soldiers home. I just know it!” he grins with his chin lifted up proudly.
Cel frowns in minor frustration and heads into the tavern after the gossiping people. He looks for a table nearby where he can listen to what they are saying inconspicuously. He takes off the fur poncho and drapes it over the chair next to him, his focus exclusively on listening to what the group of people are saying.
Henri grins at the story. A little out there. But maybe it's something... Something to keep in mind, anyway. "Well, that is a very good story. Well-told, too! You earned this, kid." She withdraws another three silver coins from the bag and offers them to him. "Take good care of Sally, here. She's had a long trip." Henri pats Sally before turning and leaving, looking towards the tavern.
Well, that was pretty clever of me. Maybe I should think about increasing my day rate. Just lucky the kid had something to tell, I guess. Stowing the coin purse back beneath her clothes, she glances around as she moves toward the tavern. Where'd Cel get to? Ah, he's probably fine. I did my job, anyway. He's probably in this tavern... Henri smiles to herself as she moves up to the tavern doors and opens them, tipping her cap and rustling snow free from her clothes before stepping into the warm building.
"Huh, that's probably a good reason to move faster." Xizoh mumbled under his breath as trudged through the snow, a howl echoing behind him. Alongside him Anathema slid through the icy air, the dark verdant and black scales of his body stark against the snow. Looking over to his companion, he asked, "Anything feel...off to you?"
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
The monstrous snake stopped its slow pace, and curled around to stare at the mountains behind them. "Indeed. I suppose I'll be denied the wonderful amenities of this cozy little nest of civilization?" At the silence that greeted it, Anathema rumbled. "Be careful."
Humming a mindless tune his father used to whistle while patching ships at the harbor, Xizoh focused. With a noise like split pudding, Anathema fell in on its shadow before disappearing. Feeling the magic rush back into his body, the half elf pulled a black cloak from his pack.
As he threw it over his shoulders and tightened, his features morphed. The dark gray of his skin, nearly identical to his shadow, morphed into a rich brown while his ears rounded over, letting his haphazard hair, now lacking the unnatural depth of color it had before, fall over them. His lean build grew slightly, and in the place of the small bony pseudo-Fetching stood a young man of smaller than average stature. His eyes were all that remained, the color of the sunny sea wandering the snowy landscape. Now, to the local healer to replenish his supplies, and then he'd find lodging for the night.
The wooden sign over the door to the tavern and restaurant reads "The Mountain Lute" and is painted to feature a lute over the Abbhen Mountains. As she opens it, she notes the door is much heftier than it appears from the outside.
Inside the air is pleasantly warm and carries the aroma of freshly baked bread and simmering stew.
A quick scan shows a bar to the right of the door, with a stout human man in his 50s behind the bar stocking glasses and dishware. There is an opening behind him that presumably leads to the kitchen.
Most of the room is to the left of the door, with roughly a dozen tables each seating groups of 6 or so arranged around a great central fireplace. The fireplace is roaring, bathing the room with heat and light.
The afternoon sun is also streaming in through thick glass windows, which blur the view outside. Dust floats lazily, caught in the sun as it makes the room bright and cheerful with natural light. The room is sparsely decorated, but the light wood has an attractive natural gleam to it in the sunshine.
Two patrons sit together very close to the fire, facing away from Alaina. They are quietly leaning over their steaming drinks. One appears tall and heavyset and the other shorter and of a medium build. Alaina notices they are still wearing heavy coats and hoods in the warm room.
The bartender, hearing Alaina enter, pauses from his work to put his hands on the bar counter. He gives her a small, wary frown and says, “If you’re here for a solid meal, we won’t be serving dinner for a couple hours. What can I do for you?”
The Wolf and Bear is fairly busy. The place is alive with a large fire and a chorus of about two dozen voices.
Across the room from the door is a set of stairs leading up. Next to the stairs along the wall opposite the door is a long bar with a tall human woman in her early 50s behind it. She is conversing easily and authoritatively with patrons while also keeping an eye on the door, with the practiced air of an innkeeper. Cel glimpses her directing a lad of about 16 who is serving drinks.
A large fire crackles in a fireplace in the center of the room, supplemented by a woodstove near the bar and another near the door. Tables and chairs are scattered haphazardly around the room, which the serving lad is navigating expertly, calling out orders and trading friendly insults.
Despite the appearance of cheer and good humor, there is a serious mood hanging over the crowd. Smiles are fleeting and there isn’t much laughter for a tavern full of folk drinking.
Cel sits down at a table next to the arguing group, free because it is one of the farthest from the fire and heaters. The group have just taken off their coats. One of the men gestures to the serving lad and calls, “Smitty, the usual!” The serving lad grins and disappears under the bar.
”So, as I was saying,” the woman continues, Cel can just hear her above the buzz of the room, ”I think the Valhayas had the right idea.”
”Surely not” the other man snorts, making a dismissive gesture. ”You’ve spent your whole life here, you’ve made something of yourself. You can’t be thinking of...”
Intent on eavesdropping, Cel does not notice the innkeeper approach him until she is a couple feet away.
“Hello there!” she says suddenly and with enough force to be heard over the crowd, but pleasantly.
”I will. Name’s Rik, but you probably figured that.” He grins at her as he carefully leads Sally into a stall. ”Holler if you need anything.”
After entering, Henri is just in time to witness the innkeeper greet Cel.
Dulae internally groaned, though she tried to hide it from Marion. Its never easy, is it? She walked beside the priest and stared up at the mountain with him. "What makes you say that? I've heard rumors of mists coming from the mountain during the night, but none say what happens to those caught in them."
Stepping up to the bar, removing her fur-lined gloves as she did, Alaina politely ordered, "Something warm to drink if you please sir."
Surprised by the innkeeper, Cel yelps, "Ahh!!" and inadvertently casts Basic Aerokinesis on her blowing her hair back and making her cheeks ripple, but only for a second. His face is frozen with his eyes wide open and mouth agape in surprise for a few seconds before it flips to a giant, sheepish grin. "Hi..."
Past the military headquarters and the church, Xizoh sees wooden buildings of a different style lining the road. From lit windows and lanterns, there seem to be dozens more buildings just beyond, but it is difficult to make them out from the road at night.
He passes a blacksmith’s forge, an inn with a tavern and stables, a restaurant and tavern, a bakery, a butcher shop (which looks closed), a furrier (which looks closed), a tailor and shoe repair shop, and a large general store advertising magic items and gear for crossing the mountain pass before spotting an apothecary and physician's office.
The modest building looks weatherworn, with few windows. A sign hanging over the door reads, “Southtown Apothecary and Healer” in large, elegant black letters that are so worn they are hard to read by the ambient lamplight in the street. There are no hours posted, but through the small front window there looks to be light inside.
The space inside is modest and dimly lit. One half of the room is taken up with a wooden counter covered with jars of ingredients, scales, tools, a mortar and pestle, and a single lit lantern. Behind the counter is a small doorway backlit with a dim light from a hall beyond.
The other side of the room has a couple meager wooden chairs, and is partially hidden by a half-drawn curtain. Xizoh can see what looks like two small beds on the other side of the curtain with crisp white bedding, but no one in them.
There is a single large woodstove in the middle of the room, which looks to out for the day. The room is significantly warmer than outside, but still feels rather chilly.
Xizoh hears a faint voice call, ”Hello?”
A few seconds later, an elderly woman of about 70 walks into the room from the doorway behind the counter, leaning on the wall and then the counter for support. She squints at Xizoh in the dim light before lighting a second lamp.
“Welcome to Southtown, young man.” She smiles at him warmly. “How can I help you?”
Marion presses her lips together. ”If only we knew.”
She sighs heavily, still staring intently at the mountain. ”Eighteen good people, gone without a trace in two days. Some have families. I still dare to hope… but it is so cold this time of year. There seems little chance.”
Henri glances around the bar and takes a moment to breath in the atmosphere. The hustle and bustle, the smell of alcohol in the air... it's life to her. Masterfully weaving her way in between the crowd, she makes her way to the bar, slowly shedding her outer layer and unbuttoning her jacket as she does so. Setting the weather-proof outfit down on the stool as a makeshift cushion, she plops herself down on top of it, and sighs a breath of happiness.
Noting the orders being shouted at the serving boy, she decided to send one his way. "'Oy, if ya get the chance, I'd like a whiskey and ale over here!" She stuffs a hand into her pocket, and it returns with some silver that she sets onto the table. "Bread, too, and maybe some cigarettes assuming you've got 'em." Henri glances around the bar, taking in the airs of the room. It definitely didn't seem right. but she wasn't here for too joyous of an evening, anyway. She could just enjoy her drink tonight.
The bartender’s expression changes from a small frown to neutral, and he relaxes his posture from the bar as he prepares her drink.
A minute later, he carefully sets a large steaming mug of dark liquid in front of Alaina.
”It’s called Abbhen tea,” he explains with a shrug, ”Brewed with the pines of the evergreens we have here. Strong, hearty, bit of mint. Served scalding hot.”
He turns away, tossing a towel over his shoulder to free up his hands to stow dishware under the counter.
”That’ll be 5 copper when you’re ready.”
Alaina can’t see what he is doing, but she can hear dishes clink together.
”And it’s warmer by the fire. So’s you know,” he offers, still crouched below her view.
Alaina takes out and sets down the five copper, "True, it may be warmer," she then takes out a gold piece and taps it on the bar, "but I've got a question, the proprietors of such fine establishments as yours often have answers. And they often serve from behind the bar."
After a quick look to make sure no one was too close, the Wolf leaned in and quietly asked, "I'm looking for someone. A man. Red hair, green eyes, seen in town about five years ago. Ring any bells?"
After Cel’s loud yelp, the tavern freezes, and all eyes turn to Cel and the innkeeper.
After he sheepishly says, “Hi...”, the innkeeper blinks in surprise and brings her hands up to touch her face and hair.
From across the room, Smitty barks out a hearty laugh. ”Ma, your hair!” He slaps the bar counter in enthusiastic amusement. ”That’s brilliant. Oy, do it again!”
After seeing there’s no danger and the innkeeper is perfectly well and amusingly windswept, the tavern breaks out into uproarious laughter. Henri and Cel notice a few patrons settling back into their seats, tucking away weapons that had been startled out into the open.
The group that had been arguing at the table next to Cel looks unsettled. One of the men glares at Cel with distrust. But on the whole, the incident seems to have cleared the air in the tavern, and people are speaking more easily and with some true cheer.
The innkeeper chuckles a bit too after feeling the new shape of her hair, and makes her way back over to the bar, smoothing it back into place.
The two townsfolk that had been most actively bantering with Smitty rise from their table and walk over to join Cel; a man and a woman about 20 or younger. One of them pats Cel on the back in congratulations.
”I’m Kori, this is Wydon,” says the woman, pointing to herself and her friend. ”Mind if we join you?”
After he recovers from his mirth, Smitty hears Henri’s order, gives her a wink over the din and disappears to a back room.
The innkeeper makes her way over to the bar, checks her appearance in a small mirror just behind it, and notices a new face sitting there.
”Evenin’ “ the innkeeper says with a smile. ”Will you be wanting a room tonight, dearie?”
As she finishes speaking, Smitty re-appears and sets a small glass of whiskey, a tall glass of ale, and a plate with warm, buttered bread gingerly down in front of Henri before whisking off to the next order. Henri notices there are no cigarettes.
Henri jumps at the cold silence that fills the room - hands touch weapons, and her own digits find the grip of her dragon pistol - but it's no matter, as the patrons begin to laugh and joke again. This guy's getting more interesting by the second. Hopefully he doesn't do anything more conspicuous. I don't think outsiders need much attention here.
She lets out the breath that she was holding as the innkeeper approaches. "Yes, I think I will. I left my horse outside with your nephew. Nice kid." Henri grins as the food and drink arrive, though her smile falters a bit at the lack of cigarettes. "Can't win 'em all, I guess," she whispers under her breath.
"I'm actually in town for the search and rescue thing." She takes a gulp of the ale, and hungrily tears off a piece of bread with her teeth. She had rations on the way here, but nothing compared to some nice, warm bread. "Would you happen to know anything about that, ma'am?"
The clink of dishes stops and the bartender rises. He looks at the gold coin, then at Alaina.
He leans into the bar and says quietly, ”Red hair, hm? That’s pretty unusual.”
He seems to think for a moment, studying her. Then he cracks a small smile, as if he’s decided he likes her.
After a beat, he picks up the five copper and pockets it, but makes no move for the gold. ”I wish I could take your money, but I don’t know him. We get lots of folks in and out of here coming or going to Abbhen, or with that military operation on the mountain.”
He spreads his hands out on the counter thoughtfully. ”You should ask Risa. She owns the general store just down the street. Just about everybody makes a stop there at some point, and that woman has a memory like nothing else.”
He leans away again and mutters, ”One little copper piece…” before grabbing the towel from his shoulder and wiping at a spot on the bar.
”If you swing by here again, ask for Jack. And you can take your time with that tea,” he says as he works. He chuckles softly, ”Oh, and it was worth 2 copper. So’s you know.”
Dulae lowers her eyes."Let Altien's flame guide them, if not in this realm then the next." She smiles thinly at Marion and clasped her arm. "I promise that if I come across anyone up there, I will do my best to bring them back. And if not, to give them proper last rites."
Dulae leaves the church and makes her way over to the military headquarters.
Leaving the gold on the bar, Alaina picked up her drink then said, "Thank you, and keep the change."
Finding a seat against the wall, she set down Greenwall in front of the chair, sat down and used the shield as leverage to lean the chair back on its two back legs. Blowing on the tea, she took a sip. Mmmm, this is rather good.
Several more minutes pass as she finishes her drink. Setting the cup down, she scooped up the shield and headed for the door. Once outside, Alaina put her gloves back on, pulled her hood up, and headed to the general store.
"Sorry miss to bother you, but I ran into some trouble on the way here, and need to reapply." Double checking his satchel, Xizoh began to list off the most conspicuously absent item. "Do you have any blood blocks, smelling salts, or flayleaf?"
As he waits, he asks, "Any work for a healer hurting in the gold? Speaking of which, where the best beds for a solid sleep here?"
Cel's eyes dart quickly between the two newcomers, "Uh, sure," he says. He's trying to keep his eyes on these two to engage them appropriately, but is still mildly distracted by also trying to listen in to the gossipers at the same time. He smiles pleasantly, "Sit down, nice to you meet you, I'm Cel. Uh, how was your day today?" While that the statement is technically small talk, it doesn't register to Cell that it is a really awkward version of it simply because his mind is distracted by trying to pay attention to two separate groups of people.
”You came at the right time,” she says warmly. ”We’re getting to be full up for the night. Got a nice room with a view of the mountains that just opened up for 2 gold. One gold would get you a small room over the stables.”
”Mm, Rik’s a good lad.” She agrees, smiling fondly. ”Bit odd that one, but he loves his animals.”
After Henri’s query, she looks quickly to the next group over to make sure they’re engaged in their own conversation, then leans in to speak quietly to Henri.
”It’s bad for business, is what it is,” she says, jabbing a finger on the bar for emphasis. ”We used to gets all kinds who’d come in for a drink - families, travelers, soldiers who used to get evening leave. This room would be bursting full every evening, and now look at us. More than half-empty.”
She pauses and looks down. ”I knew one of them… on that excavation team, they called it. Divana. Quite a beauty, that one.” She smiles. ”Used to come by for drinks every week with her friends. My Smitty was a bit sweet on her.” She sighs heavily.
”Very sad, these disappearances. I’m surprised the military isn’t doing more, given how close this business is to the border and all. Abbhen never really could let go of the war, could they?” She sniffs in disdain.
"Well, I could never turn down a room with a view." Taking a pause to bring the coinage out of her purse, she nods. "At least he's doing what he loves." She places the money down for the food and room on the table.
Henri takes another swig of ale as she listens to the innkeeper's informative conversation. "It's a shame. This seems like it'd be quite the hot spot in the prime season." Chomping down another piece of bread, she responds to the woman's other comment, Henri's mouth chewing on the food. "Well, I'm 'oping to help out. Seems like th' 'ilitary doesn't really 'are enough to send their own people to do their own 'obs." Henri swallows loudly, sneering a little at her mention of the army. "Don't worry, ma'am. If they're out there, I'll get 'em back. Maybe clear up this whole mist problem people keep talking about. Probably just some superstitious business. It can't really be something evil, can it?"
Another swallow of whiskey, and Henri pipes up again. "Oh, I don't think I caught your name?" Henri raises a hand up to shake. "Mine's H-" She pauses. Wait. Have I been here before? She glances around the tavern. Maybe? S~~*. I'd better give something false. "Iris. Name's Iris." Henri lets out a small grin, hoping to cover her mistake.
The snow in front of the military headquarters has been trodden to bare, frozen earth by many sets of footprints. Dulae notices the exterior is designed for a practical defense, with a few windows, a defensible walkway on the roof for patrols, and many sturdy metal torch holders bolted to the walls to light up the outside in the night.
As Dulae approaches, two saddled horses are led out of the stables by a pair of soldiers in green private’s uniforms. Dulae recognizes the large beasts as horses bred for endurance for use by military messengers. A pair of low-ranking officers in silver uniforms and heavy hooded coats receive the horses and swing into their saddles with practiced motions. They urge the horses into a fast trot, headed north on the main road. They pass too quickly for Dulae to tell their rank, but she sees a flash of the orange sash worn by the central body of the army, which she thinks should be stationed near Kinghaven at this time of year.
Just in front of Dulae is a group of seven civilians walking toward the military headquarters from the direction of the pass. They are dressed warmly, armed with swords, axes, and pikes, and equipped for a day’s hike. Dulae notices they look downcast and exhausted.
As she walks up the three wide stone steps to the entrance, Dulae sees a handwritten sign that reads “Search and rescue - 200 gp per day to those able and willing to assist” posted on the heavy wooden double doors.
Inside, the mood is tense and somewhat frantic. From the broad landing just beyond the doors, a set of steps lead downward to a hall. Dulae can see soldiers moving briskly across it, carrying papers, weapons, and boxes to either side. A short flight of stairs on either side lead up a level to another hall, where she can see the civilian group that entered before her turn a corner and pass out of her view.
She can hear orders snapped out with tense voices echoing from above and below. She has a sense from the outside view that the building is large enough to hold a barracks for dozens, a small mess hall, a meeting room, and a few offices. Not much is visible from the entrance, making it difficult to tell where the sounds are coming from.
There are several lamps on the walls providing a practical amount of light. The floors and walls look very clean, but completely barren of decoration. The air feels much warmer than outside if still slightly cold, but Dulae can't see any fire or stoves from the entrance.
A tall lieutenant in his mid twenties is standing near the door, looking like he has clearly been posted there to field visitors. Dulae notices his silver uniform bears the white sash of the southern branch of the army, based in Southtown. He flashes her a polite smile and says, ”Welcome, how can I help you?”
The two other patrons continue their quiet conversation without turning Alaina’s way.
After he is done scrubbing the spot on the bar, Jack quietly picks up the gold coin and tucks it away as though it were pay for a tab. He flips the towel back over his shoulder and crouches under the bar to continue stacking dishes. After a few minutes he carries a wooden tray into the kitchen. Alaina can hear muffled voices from the kitchen for a few seconds before he re-emerges.
As Alaina leaves he calls out, ”Don’t be a stranger,” without looking up.
The general store is a long, low building painted red a few doors down and across the street. A carved wooden sign nailed over the door says "Southtown General Store". A large sign leaned on the front wall near the door proclaims in painted black letters: “Warm gear for Abbhen mountain pass! Wondrous magical items of all types!”.
The door opens with a cheery jangle of bells and a rush of warm air full of pleasant herbal smells. From the door Alaina can see most of the store’s goods, neatly organized and placed. On shelves and walls around the shop are stocks of food, armor, weapons, potions, winter gear, clothes, toiletries, bottles of mead and liquor, jugs of ale, candles, lanterns, toys, and all manner of things.
Thick windows blur the outside but allow plenty of natural light. There is fire roaring in a large, elegant fireplace in the rear wall and a woodstove near the door.
Standing behind the counter to the right of the door is presumably the shopkeeper. She is a woman in perhaps her 60s from her bearing, dressed practically with her silver hair pulled back. She is facing away from Alaina and the sales counter, making precise, practiced movements tending to something Alaina can’t see on a tall bench behind the counter.
“Hullo there dear. Come on in out of the cold.” It’s not clear if or how she sees Alaina. She sets down something with a thunk and turns around to face Alaina, wiping her hands on her apron.
“What can I do for you?” she says with a cheerful smile.
She tilts her head back and laughs for a long time. “I don’t think anyone has called me ‘Miss’ in 40 years.” She chuckles to herself, wiping at her eyes. “Oh my, it is good to laugh, isn’t it.”
She gestures for him to come closer ”Come in, come in.” She shuffles slowly from the counter to a cabinet against the wall, leaning on the cabinet doors for support before opening them. ”I think that I have that here.”
As she is searching, Xizoh can hear the light, musical sounds of glass bottles and jars knocking together. ”You’re a healer are you?” she says. ”You and I have something in common.”
After a few moments of rustling around in the cabinet, she comments ”There’s some trouble on the mountain, you know. Some folk from the outpost here have gone missing.”
She stands up slowly, leaning on the cabinet’s shelves before shutting the doors. ”I’m sure they’ll be found, but could be they’ll need some fixing up. I’d go myself, but ice and I don’t agree. “
She shuffles back over to the counter, making her way carefully and holding on to the nearest surface. ”If you’re looking to do some good, I’m sure they’d be thrilled to have you. Seems they’re shorthanded.”
She places a small glass bottle and a small folded leather pouch on the counter. ”Smelling salts are 25 gold, and flayleaf is 20,” she says, pointing to one, then the other.
She slowly reaches under the cabinet to retrieve another bottle. ”You’re in luck…. This is the last one I have ready." She studies him warmly for a moment. "If you’re volunteering to help in the search, you can have it for ten gold. You can do more good with it than I could, ” she chuckles.
She thinks for a moment as though remembering his last question before saying, ”Look for the Wolf and Bear, about halfway down the street. Two stories, with some stables. Tell Laurett and Smitty that Marna sent you.”
Cel notices that the formerly arguing group behind him seems very quiet at the moment, spooked by his nearby outburst.
Kori and Wydon exchange glances at his question.
”You’re kind of an odd one, aren’t you?” Wydon asks as he tilts his head to study Cel.
Kori elbows him in the side a little harder than playfully. ”That’s okay. We like odd.”
Wydon ignores her and leans in closer over the table. ”How’d you do that trick anyway? I’ve never seen anything quite like it. Makes a hell of a prank.”
Kori sighs next to him and adds, ”Altien knows we could use a little more humor around here.”
As Henri swallows her whiskey, the innkeeper comments, ”I’ve no idea what to think about the mist to be honest, but it does give me the shivers.” She shivers involuntarily. ”But you seem like a competent lass, I’m sure they’re lucky to have you volunteer.”
It's not clear to Henri that the innkeeper understood her comment about the military through a mouth full of food.
After Henri extends her hand, the innkeeper says, ”Pleasure to meet you Iris. I’m Laurett and this is my inn.” The innkeeper gives her a firm handshake. ”You have the hiccups, dear? I have some tea for that.”
Cel sighs at the silence behind him, and while he's focusing more on the new people in front of him, he isn't giving up entirely on the group behind him.
"I...uh...odd? I suppose? he says in a semi-confused manner not really understanding what they mean. He thinks to himself, "I'm not odd. It must be something with this culture, maybe they aren't used to people from Sky City. That must be it." "Um, well, I don't really know how I do it. It's just something I kind of do. I've been able to do that for a long time." Cel stops with his internal monologue about not being odd, and reverts to his usual self, and starts peppering the two with questions rapid fire. "Who are you two? Are you local people? What do you do for a living? What do you do for fun? How old are you guys? Do you know what's going on around here with this mist?"
Alaina turned to Jack, "Oh I won't be."
Stepping inside the shop, pulling back her hood and removing her gloves, she says, "Yes, I'm looking for some information and I was told that you may know what I need." Tucking the gloves into her belt and re-adjusting her shield, Alaina moved to the counter.
Pulling another gold piece, "I'm looking for a man, red-haired and green eyed. Goes by the name of Marcus. He would have been through here about five years ago. Sound familiar?"
"I like to think so." Henri smiles at the compliment, and shakes firmly herself. Good handshake. She seems honest enough. Not that Henri had suspected her of anything, but it was good to have an impression of someone who could get into her room at night.
After the handshake, Henri immediately shakes her head and goes for her ale again, drinking way too fast and starts coughing for a couple of seconds. After she regains her voice, she shakes her head again, saying "No, no, I'm all right. Thank you, though. You're very kind, I'm glad to be staying here."
Henri take another gulp of the whiskey, finishing it off as she glances around the room, trying to size up the rest of the patrons.
At Cel’s rapid fire questions, Kori leans away, eyes wide, but laughing.
”Whoa, easy there,” says Wydon, raising his hands up in front of him as if to ward off the questions.
Kori clears her throat. ”Now Wydon,” she says, gently pushing his hands back down to the table. ”This is an educational opportunity.”
She leans forward, looking at Cel seriously and speaking quietly. ”Don’t tell anyone Cel, but Wydon and I are actually the prince and princess in disguise. We’re on a secret mission.”
Wydon crosses his arms and nods very seriously. ”Yup.”
Kori says, ”We’re trying to find a way to break the curse on Wydon. She used to be a girl, you see, and was cursed into this hideous form in the mist.”
Wydon shrugs half-heartedly. ”Yup.”
Kori says intensely, ”The only way to break the curse is for at least a dozen people to hear her sing My Jovial Flower three times fast.”
”Yup… wait, what?”
Kori waggles her eyebrows at Cel. ”I think tonight might be the night.”
”Oy...” Wydon gives her a gentle shove.
Cel notices they are both giggling now.
(Still sullen silence behind him.)
The shopkeeper looks a bit taken aback at first at Alaina’s straightforwardness.
”Marcus…” She thinks for a moment, nodding and leaning on the counter. “He was posted with the military unit here for about half a year. Keep to himself and the barracks, he did. Hardly ever saw him out except to pick up some spell supplies.”
She eyes Alaina’s armor and shield pointedly. “Never made any trouble around here. Why are you looking for him?”
Laurett sides Henri’s money off the table into her hand and puts a large brass key with a leather tag that says ‘Wolf and Bear’ on the counter.
”It’s room number 3 - up the stairs and to the left. You can get a spot of breakfast if you’re up just after dawn, and let Smitty know if you’ll be needing water for a bath.” Laurett gives her a nod and a smile and is off to chat with the next customer.
The trickle of patrons coming in has died down, and now the tide has just begun to turn the other way. A couple small groups are getting up to put on their coats, leaving empty glasses on their tables. Smitty is now spending more time hovering around to collect dishes than taking orders.
Henri spots Cel with two of the young folks who had been joking loudly with Smitty earlier. They don’t seem to mean any harm, but she can tell from their body language that they’re giving him a bit of a hard time with teasing.
Henri also sees a few of the patrons still casting Cel dark looks every so often, particularly from the table just behind him.
Cel calls them on their prank attempt, "It must be the night! Sing it!" He still refuses to ignore the group behind him entirely, but these two are trying awfully hard to draw attention. Cel is happy to give it, but see how far they take it too.