Very well, thank you for your time Father. Elizabeth addresses the priest and will head out with the others when they are ready to inquire about a mule.
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The group can find a mule to be donated by Silvers for the cause as well as some other basic items if they so desire. They also know that there are two blacksmith's in town. One is Renet’s Steel which appears to have the most basic of metalwork and arms. Then there is Braggard's Shop which produces only masterwork quality items.
That evening, supper is served by Trelvar himself after hearing that the group has taken on the task of searching out the errant kids. During mid-meal, a woman walks in through the door with long chesnut hair and a ruddy complexion. Her studded leather is wear worn and the handles of her two swords are well-used. She quickly scans the room, then quietly walks over to the group, deftly avoiding anybody in her path.
"Greetings. My name is Arnama Lastrid. Are you the outsiders that have come to help find our wandering whelps? Mayor Uptal said you wished to speak with me."
Indeed, and greetings. We wish to get headed in the right direction and perhaps guided to the spot where we can start looking for your missing kin. Unless the others wish to consider it, I am not asking for you to do the heavy lifting but just be a guide.
"Please, have a seat. What can you tell us about this journey? Are there hazards, dangerous animals, or monsters on the way? What kind of things should we expect to encounter in the crypt itself? Anything you can tell us would be greatly appreciated."
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"I would head towards the crypt. It isn't too hard to find. The mayor typically has a copy of a map that can lead you in the right direction. The trail is not well worn, but isn't hard to stay on. A couple days travel depending on how you are packing. The landmarks are simple enough: a glade, a lake and a gorge.
"The only thing in the area that I've been concerned with are the wolves. They seem to be more aggressive. I've had to go on ranges to make sure they stay clear of the town the last couple of days. Probably go back out soon. Like all wilderness areas you need to be aware of highway men, but we don't get there kind through here. As for the crypt itself, I couldn't tell you. I've never been. It's a place where they bury people, right? What would you expect there?"
We have concerns that the ones going on their test have been ambushed. If it is a crypt, there might be undead that have risen and harmed those who have entered.
"Ah...an ossuary, perhaps? I shall make a mental note to prepare a spell to charm animals."
"It's like a curse, isn't it? Every job we are offered leads us into a burial place. The question is: which one of us is the one that is cursed? It can't be me - I've never been in a crypt before I met all of you."
Indeed. Thank you for your help with pointing out what we need to keep an eye on. Elizabeth turns tot he others. Do any of you have any more questions?
Gunder shakes his head.
"No - I think all my remaining questions can best be answered by going to that crypt and finding those children."
"Arnama,thank you. I agree with my halfling friend...the answers lie in the journey."
and in the Crypt, thinks Garuneh.
Elizabeth will put her blanket, 3 days food,rope and waterskin on the mule before they move out.
Is everyone all set to head out? I have a full stomach and a heart yearning for adventure.
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Tavernkeep Trevlar Silvers approaches after Elizabeth's remarks while fans his hands in a downward motion.
"Please stay, let the meal rest. Enjoy the music of our bard.
As he says this, a middle aged half-elf limps his way to the stage. His patchwork cape drags behind him as he burps into his fist. A tired face forces a smile then gives a small wave to the room. He then pulls out a darkwood lute, taps his foot on the floor for a count of two, and begins to strum.
Hail to the heroes
The men who fight for us
Honor gods divine
And the people's trust
Saviors of the common man
Whom delve dungeons deep
Blood is paid in gold
To keep the babes asleep
Fight on, brave warrior, fight on
You may die today
We honor you, those gentle few
For the price you pay
Gunder whispers to the others: "The music is all right. But why do the heroes always die in these songs? Very motivating..."
Heroic sacrifice sounds more romantic?
"It would probably sound more romantic to me if he didn't sing about my death."
"I tend to fear death less in the morning, anyhow," Garuneh says, looking at the sky through the windows.
"Gold..pay...say, I think this fellow is giving us a subtle message regarding the recompense of musicians. Ho! Bard! How about a merry tune!" Garuneh tosses him a coin.
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The coin clinks off the floor in front of the bard. He glimmer appears in his eyes as he picks it up and winks at Garuneh. He takes out a flute and begins to put it together
"This is a song I learned on the road. I hope I can honor those in that caravan that have joined us today."
Vudrani rover, come over the hill, down through the valley so shady
He whistled and he sang til the green woods rang and he won the heart of a lady
Ah dee doo ah dee doo da day, ah dee doo ah dee day dee
He whistled and he sang til the green woods rang
And he won the heart of a lady
She left her fathers castle gate, she left her own fine lover
She left her servants and her state, to follow the Vudrani rover
Ah dee doo ah dee doo da day, ah dee doo ah dee day dee
He whistled and he sang til the green woods rang
And he won the heart of a lady
Her father saddled up his fastest stead, roamed the valleys all over
Sought his daughter at great speed and the whistling Vudrani rover
Ah dee doo ah dee doo da day, ah dee doo ah dee day dee
He whistled and he sang til the green woods rang
And he won the heart of a lady
He came at last to a mansion fine, down by the river Clady
And there was music and there was wine, for the Vudrani and his lady
Ah dee doo ah dee doo da day, ah dee doo ah dee day dee
He whistled and he sang til the green woods rang
And he won the heart of a lady
He is no gypsy, my father, she said, but lord of these lands all over
And I will stay til my dying day, with my whistling Vudrani rover
Ah dee doo ah dee doo da day, ah dee doo ah dee day dee
He whistled and he sang til the green woods rang
And he won the heart of a lady
"Well said, my good player! A rousing song always cheers the soul!"
Aldous claps in honest appreciation for the bard's music.
Bravo! Bravo!
*clap clap clap*
Garuneh smiles, blushing even a bit, and lifts a glass.
As the song dies a short dwarf you've from the caravan enters the tavern. Bria walks up to the bar, says "One hot cider please and do you have any bread?" Spotting you she waves, approaches and asks "Do you mind if I join you? Everyone ran off and so I got stuck feeding the animals."
She is moderately cheerful for a dwarf, armed to the teeth with a longbow, war hammer and battle axe. Her gear has seen hard use but looks well cared for for all of that.
"By all means, please sit." Aldous graciously offers the closest chair (or bench space) to the well armed dwarf.
"I am Aldous, in case you've forgotten. I must confess, though, I truly wonder how you move around with all that steel strapped to you."
Greetings. I am Elizabeth, please feel welcome to share in the drinks and music wiht us.
Garuneh is waved over by a few other members of the Vudrani troupe. Heading over with a big grin, he talks with them awhile in their native turn, and returns with a frown.
"Durnolf has departed. Something to do with his family here--I take it it was urgent."
He notices the dwarven fighter. "Oh, hello...Bria, was it? With a last name longer than many a Vudrani."
"Thank you. What is the story with the missing young people? Are they in danger or is this a quaint local custom?"
"Both, actually. Apparently the custom is to send out youths to complete a rite of passage every four years. This time, they have not returned as expected."
Taking a sip of local wine, Aldous hides a grimace, "And we, being intrepid heroes and general all-around good people, have volunteered to go after and rescue them. Game for some excitement?"
Having an extra sword-arm along would be very welcome, and Aldous is correct with the current situation.
"Of course Aldous is correct, Elizabeth! Since when have I been wrong? Except that one time, you know...or that other time..."
Aldous chuckles at his own poor joke.
"There was your plan to enlighten the land with alchemical magic undead healing apothecaries," says Garuneh, nudging the elf with a renewed grin.
"Bria, you would be welcome. We are short a fighter with Durnolf disappearing so quickly. Do you enjoy horrid, deadly dungeons?"
"Only when I am helping them to become nice, safe and pleasant." The dwarf grins at you. "If you would like my help, then you shall have it."
"Hey, that alchemical healing stuff would have worked, though!"
Lifting his glass of swill to Bria, "Welcome to the group. Dragon, go say hi."
Dragon flits from Aldous's shoulder over to the dwarf and lights on her pauldron, {in Elven)"Hello new person. Do you have any seed?"
Elizabeth toasts to the new comer as well.
"Was that elven? does your bird actually speak? What a clever creature he is!"
"Welcome on board, Bria!"
"Yes, it was, actually. Dragon is quite intelligent, and very useful. He is my familiar, you know."
Garuneh clinks his mug all around. "Indeed, I recall Dragon helping out in the Ossuary of Doom. He fought 10 darkmantles all by himself, didn't he?"
"We set out in the morning, Bria, to bring back the Everflame and the youths, and ourselves, in respective wholeness of pieces."
I wonder if we will find more Darkmantles. They were rather tasty in butter.
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After a instrumental number by the bard's flute, a bare-waisted Vudrani woman makes her way up to the stage. Her hips swing back and forward as she steps between the tables. She peals her long, curly raven colored hair around her ear as she whispers the bard. He nods and takes a long drink out of a near-by mug.
The woman begins to sway rhythmically, the gold ringed chains that clutch to her hips and neck accent the movements. As the bard begins to play his mandolin, she starts to sing a song in a haunting tune.
With a new partner added to the fellowship, the union is celebrated with a night of drinks, dance, song and merriment. Joy that this town has been missing creeped back in a little that night.
Chill greets the townfolk the next morning. With a new mule with a pack saddle, the party is ready to depart the town of Kassen in search of the Crypt of the Everflame.
With the map, Garuneh can easily navigate through the Fangwood and is able to stay on a half beaten trail. As the sunlight begins to fade, a cold wind begins to rattle through the leafless forest. There is now no sign of civilization in sight. The party comes upon a stone fire ring and the too familiar smell of death. A quick investigation discovers three wolves that have been dead for some time piled up a few yards just outside the campground.
Bria stays second from the front with her trusty battle axe ready. If any foul creature should spring from ambush, she will smite it.
Bow in hand, Aldous stays alert for trouble.
"We should consider setting up camp for the night. This place, even with the smell, seems like a decent enough spot."
Garuneh inspects the wolves to see what killed them. "This could be a larder, Aldous; an ogre could have killed these and just left them stacked for later. We don't want to be here if that is the case."
"Good point. I leave the choice of campsite to your more knowledgeable eyes."
Elizabeth yawns as they set out and huddles in her clothing as they make their way through the forest. What do you think Garuneh? We might not be able to find another suitable resting spot for a while?