Urtar thinks for a moment. "A few months have passed. Same that their souls are gone."
Rogar speaks up for the first time since Marcus and River left. "Check out the Villa. Just gather information; if things look dangerous or suspicious, we leave. Meet Marcus and River at the tavern this evening to plan our next move."
"Yes, the villa seems to be our best bet." He sights "Seems this will take quite a bit of time. Ah well, I guess the worldwound wont go anywhere."
Then let us depart.
Vironus thanks Sumak for the information given and heads for the door.
I feel as though I'm forgetting something...ah!
Turning back quickly to Sumak, I almost forgot! Do you mind if I keep hold of that map? It may be of some use to us.
Sumak shrugs. "I have no use for the map. It was left for your perusal."
Vironus takes the map and nods.
Gratitude. I'm sure it'll be put to good use. Anyway, we'd better get a move on if we're to stop this curse.
Vironus heads towards the door, tilting his head as if to suggest to the others to follow. Then he leaves the shop.
Rogar follows quietly.
Urtar ponders for a long moment. "I not know most cursed. Could not commune with their souls. Some enemy they have, but know not I." Urtar shrugs helplessly
Urtar ponders for a moment. "Many cursed say that she is coming. Other people demand arrests of short people. Many scream about an eye. The first I know of was a dwarf. Liked to drink, claimed he worked in the mines years ago."
Leaving the city, you feel the sudden lack of heat. Wrapping up in your furs, you set out the north gate and circle around heading towards the villa. There is a nice easy road worn in from years of use, so you make it to the villa after a few hours. Desnal is a small shipping town.
Urtar shrugs sadly. "They say no more. Just that she coming. "
As everyone arrives at the Villa, Vironus looks around to see if there's and suspicious activity.
Urtar walks off for a moment, slipping into one of the rooms of the cathedral, and comes out with a large tome. "Off all gods I know:
-Nethys, of the all-seeing eye;
-The Haunter of the Dark;
-Aroden, Last of the First Humans;
-Lamashtu;
-Ancient Peacock Spirit;
-and a tribe of orcs worships what they call the 'Dead Eye'."
Urtar closes the heavy tome.
You walk around what there is of the town, and see that while there are no ships in the dock itself, there are many workers strewn about moving crate while a dwarf and hume shout contradictory orders.
Vironus approaches the Human.
Greetings, are you Triumvir Cindi? Sumak has sent our group here, and said that this would be the most likely place to find such a person, also claiming she was the only person to have any sense around here...
Urtar thinks for a moment. With a small shrug, "Nethys has a small following, as does Aroden. Never much liked orcs. Dangrio may know more of the lore in his library. This is his book."
The dwarf is a paragon of his kind, with a long flowing beard and well worn armour, hammer at his side. The human is a fairly refined character, with rich clothing. The dwarf and human stop their bickering for a moment as you approach. The man starts getting red in the face as a vein pops out. The dwarf can't talk because he's laughing so hard. The man draws himself up. "Do I look like a halfling, kid? While she can sleep all day due to some agreement with the docks she fandangled, and left me with this..." He looks at the dwarf with disdain. "dwarf. You'll probably find her in council, or sleeping at her house." He looks back at you. " I am Bast Gimore. This rather humour-filled fellow is Gorund Hammerflint."
Gorund looks over the party, and mentions in an aside to Rogar.
"Dangrio has the library in a back room of his bar. What few worshipers those gods have, have their shrine here. Aroden's followers you might find mixing with Iomedae. Neither god seems likely to cause such a curse, though. Aroden, may well be dead, and Nethys while cruel, won't cause rampant destruction. Wish I could help, but honestly, I don't know."
Vironus looks to the woman, slightly confused.
Then I am mistaken. Perhaps I am tired, but I thought Cindi was a Human. Apologies. If you can point us in the direction of her house, I'd greatly appreciate it.
I look back to Urtar. "Could we speak to the head leaders of the religions that are here please?"
After hearing Ultar's answer, Marcus take a look at River. Upon hearing her, he nods and start walking away. Then he stops, as he remember something.
"And you also said something about demanding arrests from 'short people'. Are they halflings or dwarves? Maybe gnomes?"
"Cindi is many things, but human she isn't. A leader of this town, nigh useless, but not human. More useful than this lump of furry flesh, I promise you. If you wanting to talk to her though, she is over in that squat house yonder." Bast points at one of the houses near the town square. Bast begins mumbling to himself as Gorund starts to walk off. Gorund trips over some branch that suddenly appeared there. He stands up, glares at Bast and storms off.
"Grazilplitz, the dwarven city, stood proud in the mountains not far from here. About two centuries ago, a fierce war broke out between themand the humans of Castle Sengir. Though far outnumbered and under-equipped, the mad prince and his knights at arms somehow routed the dwarves. Those dwarves created another city, here, and every couple of years another attempts to reclaim Grazilplitz. So far, I know of none that return.
The short people, were mostly halfling and gnome, though a dwarf or two was accused, as well.
As far as the local leaders of the faith, we don't have a full church of Nethys, but I will gladly pass on your request to the Iomedaen. "
Well....looks like we're headed to that house then men.
Vi smirks and nods at the Human as a symbol of appreciation, and then heads for the house where Cindi is most likely located.
Rogar follows without saying anything.
Ulrik had already started towards the house and is almost there when the group leaves. Though he doesn't know why he is moving towards the house.
You walk into the building. Inside is a dark clothed halfling sitting at a table. A couple other people walk out of the room as you walk in. The halfling turns her attention to you, and sneers. "Oh look, yet another beardless dwarf and some humans to come wanting cheaper taxes, or another loan for your ships, so out with it. What is it?"
Urtar sighs sadly. "Last week. With a talisman bespelled with the status spell. It went dark shortly after. As much as the dwarves wish to return, those were the last of those that stepped forward."
Urtar ponders a moment. "Though it seems the curse is not as prevalent for a day or two after."
None of the above.
We've been called here to investigate and help get rid of the curse that I hear you've all been having trouble with. I care not for money and am no sailor. I merely seek adventure.
"At least, more than this man. I think we are done here."
Then, Marcus turns to Urtar.
"We are thankful for your help, Urtar. I hope we can put an end to this curse soon... and if you remember something important, please let us know. We will stay at Dangrio's for a while, so if you need us, can leave a message with him."
Then, he will be waiting for Urtar's answer... taking note on his expression...
"My name is Ulrik. I am a Priest of Gorum. My companions are the Human Vironus and Dwarf Rogar. I assume you are Lady Cindi? If so then we have came as Master Vironus says. We seek to rid the World of this Curse that Plagues your people."
"If I find anything, I will certainly pass it along, my friends. I pray Dangrio's library, more helpful will be, but I fear not. "
You sense nothing malevolent or false about the priest. You also get the feeling he held little if anything back, and is sincerely glad for any help you can provide.
"The Sky Father holds no sway in these lands, priest. I am lady Cindi, but I suffer from no curse, nor plague. So what is it you are wanting?"
"Sky Father? And you haven't heard about the curse that is spreading through this area?"
I turn back to Urtar, "Thank-you for your time and information, I hope that we can solve this mystery before there are any more casualties." With that I walk out with Marcus and head towards Dangrio's.
"Did I get confused about your strange gods again. Well, no matter. The light walkers may suffer, but the children do not fear it. Mother will soon finish what she started, two centuries ago. The children will reign supreme in this world. The stupid witch reopened the door in the forest, closed generations ago, and soon what was started in Grazilplitz will consume this land."
You get a glimpse of a small chain around her neck of a circle and dot, as it flashes in the light. Before you can get a better look, Cindi vanishes. A few seconds later you hear a low droning chant.
Urtar thanks you again, as you walk out. Walking back to the Burning Tavern, you find a couple rushing for a quick meal and back out again. Every once in a while you happen to catch a glance of a dwarf with a much shorter beard. Some people scurry to hide as you come by, while others just ignore your presence.
Dangrio stands behind his bar, seemingly in good spirits as he serves people with a swift efficiency. When you ask about his library, he points you to the back with an admonishment to be careful with the books. He apologizes that he can't speak much right now, but if you still need him later, he will be available between rushes.
"By Gorum's Armour! We need to find out about this. At least now we have a bit more information... Wonder if the Witch mentioned relates to the other task we have."
"This doesn't make sense. Our gods are strange? We're light walkers? Children reigning supreme? I don't think Cindi's what she appears." Rogar pauses and listens when the chanting begins.
Perception
EDIT: Rogar moves to the door, puts a hand on his axe, and looks to Ulrik and Vironus for direction.
Ulrik agrees with the Dwarf's idea on readying his weapons. He rests his hand on the Hilt of the Greatsword at his hip ready to draw it when needed."What say we head out of here? Rogar, my friend, is the coast clear?"Ulrik then backs towards the Dwarf.
Not knowing what to think, the only thing going through Vironus' mind is the desire to put an end to the chanting, concerned as to what the outcome would be if he and the others did nothing.
I don't attack innocents, but it appears all is not as it once seemed. Perhaps this woman is a Witch!
Not needing to move, having been stood right next to the female Halfling, Vironus, having seen Ulrik and Rogar back away, decides it's best to attack the area she was last seen, thinking if he hits anything he'll know where she is, due to the blood that will no doubt trail from her wounds.
At which point, he 5ft steps backward towards his two companions.
Vi takes a pair of good swings, but doesn't seem to find anything. The room suddenly darkens, as a wave of energy blasts through the building. Cindi can be kind of seen in the dim lighting. Holding up some kind of talisman. You can hear her voice like thunder, "Guards! Guards!"
Stupid dropping of white space...
_________________
| . . . . . . [] |
| . . . . . . [] |
D . R . . V . [] |
| . . U . . . . |
| . . . . . C . |
------------------D=door
[] = table
R = Rogar
C = Cindi
V = Vi
U = Ulrik