As the party reaches the town gate, Rogar pulls up his hood to hide his face from the guard Dwarf. He'll look to Marcus and River to see where they're going and then walk with them to the Burning Tavern.
Desnold also follows to the tavern, still rubbing his cold fingers together "That tavern sounds at least warm."
Seeing the Dwarven guard and Rogar hide his face, I make sure not to say anything to bring attention to him.
I continue to walk between Rogar and Marcus. Upon entering the tavern I let out a sigh of relief as the warm air hits my face and skin, look around and try to find a table for 4 away from Vironus. Once there I shall sit down and wait for a waiter to come over. "I wonder, would you happen to have any fish available? Other than that, I would be most thankful for a cup and a spare saucer, please?" I look to my new friends , "What would you all like, it is on me, I insist."
You walk into the tavern, and see that there are 3 main areas. One is the one you are in, with tables and chairs of good wood, some a little scorched, but all in good condition, otherwise. Above is a set of rooms for lodging, and in another in the back you notice a couple shelves and books.
Looking at River, "I imagine you not too used to our style, here, so I'll get you something a little milder to see how it works for ya. And an empty cup and saucer? Alright." With a shrug he brings out what looks like a highly spiced fish and an empty cup and saucer.
Seeing all the new people, "So, My name is Dangrio, scholar extraordinaire and keeper of this place. So who be you and why you hear at the top of the world?"
"Ma name is Yangrit. I be the one in charge of keepin the peace, so I'd appreciate it if ya dont go swinging at everything around, damagin property or people. Other than that, I not be havin issue wit ya. As late as it is, ye probably wantin to be going to food and rest, and ye'll find none better than the Burning Tavern, just down the way."
"Well met Yangrit. Since it seems you are the one responsible for the town's security, can you tell me who is the actual ruler of this land?"
A dwarf who commits a serious crime may be banished from his homelands. The guilty party may beseech the goddess Dranngvit for atonement, but if she does not intervene, the dwarf is forced to cut his beard (or hair, if a female dwarf ) and is escorted to the border. Because of this practice, a dwarven immigrant with short hair or lacking a beard is viewed by his new neighbors with much skepticism and distrust.
After that ambiguous answer, Marcus ponders if there is more to that matter.
Then, at the inn:
"River, Rogar... we must not let our guard down just yet. Although is clear that we've been sent here by unknown powers to right some wrongs, is true that we don't know what this evil we must confront truly is. Even now, that man... Ultar, is keeping something for himself about what he knows about us and our purpose. And about Yangrit..."
"... she told me about their former ruler, a man called Rorrukk who died last week in a domestic accident. If you ask me, there's more that a common accident and we may start figuring out what happened."
I look up at the waiter and thank him, then place the saucer and cup in front of me and hold my hands over them. There is a sound of trickling water, then I take my hands away and they are both full with cool, clear , refreshing water. I place the sauce carefully on the floor, along with Arirai. I then take the fish and with a knife, start to scrape off all the spices and give a piece to Arirai, while I start to eat the other piece.
finding some of the spices still on the fish I take a drink of the water and look to my table companions, firstly Marcus, "I find it very hard to read people like that, so I shall take your word for it. I hope that we don't figure it out the same way as that Rorrukk. Hopefully if we keep our heads down, then no trouble should find us." Next I turn to Rogar, "I take it this place is most uncomfortable for you Rogar? I would have thought you would be happy among other's of your kind?" Finally I turn to Desnold, "You are a very quite man, aren't you? While I respect that, I would like to know more about you, if that is okay with you?"
With the barman's response, Vironus thinks to himself for a moment as he approaches the bar.
That response....suggests I may have asked for more than I bargained for. I get the feeling around here, spicy things may be what keep the residents warm. Ah well, here goes nothing!
Looking at the barman with a slightly concerned look, he downs the whole thing.
"I think in these cases to keep your head down is not entirely wise. If that happened to the actual ruler of the land, we may not do better.
First of all, this seems to be a very closed community and as such, if those "accidents" keep happening, we would be the firsts to be framed. Second, maybe solving the mystery around that was the reason why we have been sent here in the first place.
In any case, if we could do any good to the town's people, I don't see why not do something about it."
4VLN
A man comes running into the bar, after seeing Vi's attempt at breathing fire, screaming, "They're coming! They're here!" Before you can begin to wonder what caused him to shout such a thing, he begins to convulse and fall to the ground. Luckily, he seems to stop his convulsing shortly afterward. A white shape rises out of his body, turns the darkest black, then vanishes. You can hear Dangrio say, "Ah hell..." The bar breaks out into pandemonium. He looks around and finds one a little less panicky, and shouts, "Boy, hurry and get Yangrit and Urtar, quick as ya can, now. Tell 'em I sent ya and they'll come."
Next I turn to Rogar, "I take it this place is most uncomfortable for you Rogar? I would have thought you would be happy among other's of your kind?"
Rogar gestures toward his face as he responds quitely. "This is why I'm uncomfortable. I have no kind anymore, and it's obvious to anyone who looks at me. To be honest, you and Marcus are some of the only people who treat me like I'm normal."
Lou was probably the first one in as earlier he headed straight there once he found it.
Lou warms himself by the fire and orders whatever the common drink is in this place. and orders whatever warm meal they recommend.
not being to particular at this point.
Looking up, Vi laughs with a slight amount of choking, forcing his words out.
That had more of a kick to it than I could predict, and new I am. We were transported from Sandpoint by something and found ourselves in the middle of a snow filled plain.
As he wipes his mouth with the back of his hand, he continues We were approached by a man named Urtar. Do you know much about him?
Turning to face Lou, Vironus pats him on the back and says Here friend! You'll like this, as he asks Dangrio to pour another.
Not having seen such sorcery before, Vironus stares at the body puzzled.
Dangrio, is this the curse I hear you've been having trouble with? I'm not easily frightened, but if this has been happening to everyone, I'd like to aid you, though I'm not familiar with such nature of death.
Dangrio looks a tad sad. "Ya. This would be that curse, ye mighta heard of. Ain't seen much like it in my entire library. No rhyme or reason to it, neither. If ya want, should ask Urtar about it, me might be knowing more than I on this subject."
Vironus stands, taking his drink (of milk) with him, moving to approach Urtar with the same question.
"Well don't worry, it is what is inside that makes the most difference, people are not usually what they appear to be on the outside. That is similar with myself too. Normal or no, I am starting to consider you a friend and that means I will help you whenever I ca..."
I am cut off mid-sentence as the man rushes in shouting and watch the whole scene with him convulsing in horror, and as the "thing" comes out of his mouth I put my hand over my mouth and turn away, almost like to stop myself from bringing my fish back up.
A man comes running into the bar, after seeing Vi's attempt at breathing fire, screaming, "They're coming! They're here!" Before you can begin to wonder what caused him to shout such a thing, he begins to convulse and fall to the ground. Luckily, he seems to stop his convulsing shortly afterward. A white shape rises out of his body, turns the darkest black, then vanishes. You can hear Dangrio say, "Ah hell..." The bar breaks out into pandemonium. He looks around and finds one a little less panicky, and shouts, "Boy, hurry and get Yangrit and Urtar, quick as ya can, now. Tell 'em I sent ya and they'll come."
Then he looks at Rogar and River.
"It seems destiny won't give us time to ponder..."
Yangrit comes rushing into the bar, taking stock quickly and rushing to the fallen man. Seconds after getting there, you can hear her begin swearing fluently in dwarven, common, orcish and a few other languages. "Yorik...of course he's dead." Sighing and standing up, she walks to the bar, nodding at Dangrio.
Dangrio for his part, quietly fills up a stein for the lady dwarf, and walks to the back room, returning quickly with a large tome. He opens it, and scribbles in it. "Another two today."
Realising there is still no sign on Urtar, Vironus speaks to Yangrit.
We've been called to these snowy plains to aid someone, and it's clear to me now who needs the help of myself and those I travel with. These are matters I lack knowledge of, but I'm here so offer my services to you. How can I be of aid?
Urtar comes jogging in, and looks around. With a sigh, he looks at you all. "I don't suppose you know what is going on with this person?"
Yangrit looks at Urtar, then at Vi. She downs her drink in a single gulp. You can see a small fireball escape her mouth as she burps. "Heh. I guess he be answered your question, Rocky." With a last dark chuckle, she walks upstairs. "I guess you'll have to after all." She walks to one of the rooms knocking on the door.
You hear a pounding at your door.
"Wake up, laddie. Ye can be asleep quite yet."
Urtar walks to the bar, and sits down, drinking a dark viscous liquid Dangrio puts in front of him. "You look capable. Might as well tell." Urtar quietly says.
Surprised, Vironus says I was under the impression you knew, but I feel we've been called to your aid by greater beings among us. Have you news of where this problem may have originated from, or when these deaths first begun?
Urtar sips his drink. "Started? Maybe 2 weeks. People falling over dead. Knew a week ago. Many people hiding, hidden. Where, why no idea. A faint aura surrounding area from old Grazilplitz, Sengir Castle and Nachtmater forest. No strong enough spells cast, but remaining aura."
He places a sparkling red gem upon the bar. "Sent expeditions out. None returned. From forest, creature came delivered this and note."
I listen to all that was said and turn to both my table companions, "During my visions from that glowing figure, I saw a forest where there were people like myself and Arirai ... they could have something to do with this. What do you think, should we check it out?"
May I take a look at your note? It may give us some idea as to where we should travel next. Where's closest to here? The Castle, Grazilplitz or the forest? Before our journey, drunken traveler's at Sandpoint's Tavern claimed to have been to some of these places, stealing riches and defeating Nacht hags or some such rubbish. It's strange because one of those people mentioned the name "Sengir Castle".
Vironus looks serious.
"So I must assume that this curse is what killed that Rorrukk, isn't it?"
Ulrik walks down to the main room of the Tavern. It is plain to see he has just gotten done bathing and cleaning up."I wasn't planning on sleeping. Can you blame a traveling Priest of Gorum to want to clean up after quite some time on the trails? Also... What is there to eat? I have enough coin for expenses so don't worry about the price just bring me something quick."He then laughs as he finds a seat to relax in.
Lou just sits and listens to the stories being told he considers himself a simple man not one for glory or riches. He orders some food hopeing to compare the taste to his own style cuisine and attempts to identify the spices.
Urtar looks at Dangrio and nods. Dangrio goes into the back for a moment. "The Naxmater closer than Grazilplitz, but no different than Castle Sengir." Dangrio returns with a small note with a scrawl on it, and hands it to Vi.
Yangrit walks down the stairs and replies to Marcus, "Aye, it be this plague that killed 'im. And you, " she says pointing at Ulrik with a small grin. "I done paid off the of your travel with the traders, they be safe enough here (if any of us be) and a holy man may know more to help find a cause."
Dangrio brings out something "mild" for Ulrik and Lou.
"Oh? Thanks I guess. Though what is this Plague? I think a Paladin might be of more help than I."He begins eating while he waits for the reply.
"Ha! A plague of death, ma boy. Some kinda curse, Rocky says. A victim lies, just over there. Rocky, there, for all his ability at controlling warmth and healing, aint a investigator."
"Interesting..."
Looking at Urtar, Vironus thinks and speaks for a moment.
Crazy idea, but can I borrow that gem for a moment? I've a feeling this note may be of use to us, possibly instructions for something.
Urtar silently hands over the gem, placing it in front of Vi.
Vi takes the gem over to the body and places it on top of the recently departed man, hoping for something to happen.
Kneeling down beside the body, he puts his ear next to the gem, to see if anything can be heard, following what the note said.
As you place the gem on the body, it begins glowing red, then black. Suddenly a mouth forms on it, speaking: Stay away from the mine. You'll not know who to find. Come find my home, I wouldn't come alone. The castle a fiend hides, beware of a friendly guise. It then cackles, and grows silent as the mouth fades into the gem.
Ulrik speaks in a somewhat Sing-Song Manner"Sounds like a Witch... or even a Lich... Oh dear lord that stupid Bard of a Merchant has rubbed off on me... Though it might could even be a Fiend."