|
It does appear to be a functioning Inn, there are tables and chairs, a fire in the hearth. And the pleasant aroma of something cooking in the air, mixed with the smell of ale. It's a very quaint and plan place, nothing fancy, other than the adornment on the ceiling.
Been a little slow lately Master dwarf, I got my locals who stop in, but not many travelers. So I'm glad to see ya. As far as staying busy, no matter what, I always find plenty to do. Don't you worry.
Take yourself a seat by the hearth, and I'll bring you over that ale.
What about the rest of you? Can I bring you one as well?
Once your settled I'll see to the stew. It's a lovely venison one of the local hunters brought by, it's thick and hearty, I think it will suit your pallets.
|
Slaine continues his vigil outside.
He rubs his key thoughtfully, huddling under his shabby cloak, scanning the environment, and waiting for trouble. Smelling the venison stew wafting from the inn, he smiles to himself. Looks like my new mates will be fillin' their bellies with some good chow. He murmurs to himself. Ol' Slaine will keep watch, an keep 'em safe. His eyes shift momentarily from his watchful scanning to look for some jerky from his pouch. Cramming some of the dried meat into his mouth, he chews contentedly.
|
As Ghirahim steps through the door he smells the aroma of stew and takes one look around and then tentatively sheaths his rapier turns toward Ms. Birdy and with a low bow says Thank you for your generus hospitality, my name is Ghirahim.
After that he strides toward the fire and sits down to warm his cold and rain soked bones. (Thanks for all the rain, Slaine!)
|
|
Birdy finishes pouring the ale from a small wooden keg on the counter, filling 7 wooden tankards and setting them on a tray. She hurries over and passes them out to everyone, leaving two a piece in front of each dwarf (implying she has done this before).
Listening to Heff's question, she gets a shocked look on her face.
“I say little one, I’m not keen ta put my own soul in peril, tellin’ yas about such an unhallowed spot."
"Now let me see to that stew."
With that she hurries off to the kitchen. Returning back awhile later this time carrying a tray with bowls of hot venison stew. Passing out the stew to everyone, this time leaving two bowls in front of Heff (implying she has done this before).
Despite her earlier shock, she now seems ready to talk. She seems to have taken a shine to the halfling.
"Now listen my little one, don't be pokin' around Cannibal's Grove twas where the old Famished Shaman worked his blasphemies.”
|
|
"Oh, it's no tale, it's the truth. Anybody with good sense’n their head shouldn't even ask about that place."
Birdy seems offended that Heff thinks she's just tellin' tales. But nevertheless seems to be on a roll now.
“I’ll not speak his name; the dead rest ill. He was a druid. Spent so much time as a beast, he lost his soul to hungerin’ for flesh."
“Now you wanna hear a tale they say Erastil made him a bear — prey for hunters. My husband usta tell folks that head on the pole outside was the selfsame bear, but it were bad for business.”
"But I tell ya the truth, he's still out there!"
With that she gets quiet and seems lost in thought for a few moments. Then snaps out of it.
"Now how's that stew tastin', is it too your likin'? Shall I make up the rooms for ya?"
|
I grab a bowl of stew and some ale and deliver it to poor Slaine outside, hoping the rain has slowed enough for him to enjoy it. I fill him in on the inside of the inn, Ms. Birdy and her info on the druid and bear. I ask if he'll be joining us inside or staying out all night.
Then I head back in to compliment the chef on her stew, seeing if she might have any seconds.
Everyone want to stay the night or were we going to rough it in the woods?
|
|
Thank you master elf. Glad you like it.
Well I don't know for sure if he's still out there, but no ever found his body or that of a crazed bear. Plus one time when I was walking near there lookin' for some fresh herbs, I could swear someone was watchin' me. I just took off runnin' and never gone near there since then.
As Dimble heads outside Birdy adds, Tell yer friend to come in out of the rain. We never have no trouble at the bear.
She has plenty of stew for hungry dwarves. Just let me know if you plan to stay the night.
|
|
Slaine hops down from the tree after being called in, lopes across the road and heads into the inn. He knuckles his forehead in greeting to Birdy and responds kindly to the offer of stew and ale. He nods appreciatively to the update. Sounds intrestin'. I'm up for any sort of adventure. Crazed bear, flesh-eaters, druid men: they all go down if hit hard enough. That druid-shaman sounds like a rule-breaker, so I'm happy to bring him some justice.
Slaine finishes the meal and waits patiently for those smarter and friendlier than him to find out what's needed.
|
|
Birdy begrudgingly provides you directions to the Cannibal's Grove.
If you all had any sense you would forget all about goin' to the Grove
It's getting toward dusk. So the choice your choice is head to the grove at night or wait till morning. If you go now, please pay Birdy 1 sp each for the food and drink; if you stay the night pay her 2 sp instead.
|
|
You rest well at the 'Restless Bear'. The rooms are simple, but cozy. IN the morning Birdy has a large plate of thick cut bacon, hard rolls, and milk mead set out for you. Although there's no sign of her. All told Birdy runs a nice place.
You set out for Cannibal's Grove.
Perception Checks
As you all depart 'The Restless Bear' everyone but the dwarves notice Bear's head is missing from out front.
|
|
You travel about a mile southwest of the inn and arrive at Cannibal's Grove.
Thick tendrils of mist rise from the ground making it difficult to see much around you. Unsettling noises permeate the clearing. Is it echoes from a babbling stream near by?
You stand near a clearing, crimson thistles have overtaken this clearing, punctuated by a ring of mossy standing stones. In the center, a neglected stone slab bears ancient stains and gouges.
|
|
Gun up, aimed at lights and strange sounds.
Oi! Ulric. Dimble. That way! Som'thin strange that way. You two wanna check it out. I'll stay righ' behind yeh.
Scanning the area, but not letting himself get distracted from the strangeness ahead. Slaine will follow the brute squad in once Dimble and Heff say what they are scanning.
|
|
I'd be looking at the pattern of the standing stones, seeing if their is a marked 'entrance' or just a complete circle or symbol. Does it form a pattern I can make out? What's the shape of the center stone slab? The stone slab makes me think sacrifice and blood stains with knife gouges? Can I see under the mossy stones for any inscriptions on the outer ring or below on the center stone? I'd start on the outside and walk around taking my time if their was no distraction and then enter the ring to check the center. Don't know the timing to say if I'm pulled away to the lights by the stream. I may get a bit too tunnel visioned on things.....
Now what sort of fun things can we find on these fine stones? Hopefully nothing to sticky....
|
|
Ghirahim notes the entire area seems to have a faint magical aura, but nothing he can pinpoint.
Dimble moves around the circle stones. There does not seem to be any discernible pattern for the standing stones, other than they are arranged in a circle. None of them seem to be marked as an'entrance', but each of the outer stones does have some strange symbols carved into them. However, Dimble has never seen anything like them before.
The center stone slab is rectangular and seems to have carvings, as well as, the more noticeable stains and gouges. A sacrificial stone doesn't seem far fetched to Dimble.
After circling the outside of the circele, Dimble steps inside to get a closer look at the center slab. As he steps into the circle a wave of supernatural nausea sweeps over him.
Meanwhile, the rest of the party skirts around the outside of the circle moving carefully toward the lights. They seem to be coming from a small inlet in the stream, but the mist is so thick it's hard to make out much more.
|
Seeing the green dwarf and the two "softies" moving toward the strange sounds and lights, Throck moves up and steps in front of the man with the big boom stick. After looking Slaine up and down, Throck grunts
You need to be a lil bit more beefed up.
On saying this, Throck hefts his tower shield and steps in front of the gunman, again not seeing the halfling in the bushes not 2 feet away.