I glanced up at Razz after reading the summons. "Why me? I'm no cleric. If they think there's an arcane source for this curse then Mother would be a better choice." I shook my head and started to gather the supplies I'll need for the trip into town. Looking back at the summons I know I have to go. If I don't go and the plague continues to spread I'll never be able to live with myself. I don't know what I can do, but if the town leaders think I can be of help, I have no choice.
Walking back outside, I explain the situation to my mother. She looked terrified that I was leaving. The part about helping with the plague didn't seem to upset her as much as my leaving. She has always smothered me a bit. I understand there are places where half orcs are not well liked, but eventually I have to make my own way. I grabbed my backpack and staff and asked, "What do you know of the plague? You hear much more news from town than I do."
"Well," Razz says as he walks alongside the half-orc, "since this damn thing hit the water in the Hollow labor has been a serious problem. Nobody's chopping wood, and when no wood gets chopped, the Hollow's heart stops.
"I was wondering why in the Hells they'd chosen us, myself. Finik–you know, my brother–he's gotten a summons too. I'm betting it's because we're young, healthy, and to the lumber boys, useless."
Razz pauses for a moment and turns to Andern, raising a an eyebrow. "Now, I'm not particularly keen on being disposable water purifiers, either. If we have enough people on this job, and we watch each other's backs, we can make it back in one piece. At least you, me, and Fin that is. You're the one who's always talking about our untapped potential, so this could be our chance to test that out." He starts walking again.
Dawn approaches as the two clamber through the underbrush of Razz's favorite shortcut to Falcon's Hollow. As they go the spirits that follow Razz rustle leaves, disturb branches, and make the occasional small animal cower into its burrow.
"Alright then," Razz says, a bit short of breath as the duo skirts the edge of Falcon's Hollow. "It should be a bit before we're thoroughly expected; what do you say we see who else has gotten one of these damn notes?"
"Our potential isn't what concerns me, it's where I fit into this. You're a healer and can commune with the spirit world. You're exactly who should be taking care of a plague. I'm a half-orc that can make something cute and furry appear for a few heartbeats." Andern pauses for a moment and gives his friend a sly grin, then turns serious. "Being disposable is troubling, but that would explain why they didn't summon my mother, she's too well known." Andern's frown deepens at the thought as he continues, "If that is true, the 3 of us will have to watch out for each other. But best to go hear what the magistrate has to say first. We can invent all kinds of horror stories, but we won't actually know anything until we talk to the sheriff."
Razz chuckles. "Andy, trust me when I say that the spirits I commune with aren't the kind that will make water cleaner. Regardless, none of us know what exactly is causing this, so who's to say what'll fix it? All I know is, if we're barreling through this forest for more than two or three days without a platoon of armed guards at our backs, I'm perfectly happy to have 'something cute and furry' between me and the teeth of... whatever there is out there."
Razz smirks again, in stark contrast with the exhaustion betrayed by the bags under his eyes. He nods his head in the direction of the Magistrate's office. "Besides, if we do it quickly enough, this could even be fun."
On the outskirts of Falcon's Hollow, Finik lays staring into the sun enjoying its warmth and the peacefulness this moment provides. He was thinking of the the message sent to him by the sheriff and how he was happy that somebody actually called him for something besides chopping wood. Finik heard from the courier, that his brother and the young wizard Andern were also choosen for this task as well.
"Oh great I finally get a chance for adventure, and I run the risk of being lectured to death by my brother" Finik quietly joked to himself.
Finik gave a big yawn wondering where his brother and Andern were he knew this should be the short cut Raaz would choose to get here. As he waited he fell back to sleep and woke up a moment or two later. With a strech Finik looked around and noticed two familiar figures in the distance. He jumps up and rips out his greataxe from the ground and starts to head in the direction of his brother. With his axe across his shoulders he rests his arms on his faithful weapon as he rushes towards the town.
Razz is quite accustomed to the footfalls of his brother, and notices him approaching on the left. He turns to face him.
"Morning Fin. Up a bit early, no?"
Finik looks over at Razz with a little sleep still in his eyes, and he replies "Yes dear brother it is a little too early for my liking..." He starts yawning and as the yawn ends he finishes his reply "But when adventures are at hand sacrifices are needed to be made, like my beauty rest hehe"
Razz again raises an eyebrow. "Hehe, indeed. Finik, this is my friend, Andern, from up North. He's been summoned to go along with us." He turns to Andern. "Andern, this is my brother, though I'm sure you've guessed as much.
"We were just about to ask the Magistrate about who else would be with us, and when we might head off. Care to join us, or did you want another five minutes of 'beauty rest'?
"Or better... have you met any of the others?"
So this is Falcon's Hollow, thought Lokti as he strolled into town. It's enormous!
Lokti had only been away from his tribe for a short time before a rider had approached him with a summons from the Magistrate Elect of Falcon's Hollow. Apparently they were in the middle of some sort of plague and needed help finding a cure. How the Magistrate had heard about Lokti, he doesn't know, but of course he would agree to help.
Falcon's Hollow is the largest town Lokti has ever been to, having spent the majority of his life in the forest with the rest of his tribe. He had set out recently, in order to see the world, and had only come upon a few farms and hamlets. Most people there seemed surprised to see a "Frogman" and became downright scared when it turned out he could speak Common.
Hopefully the folks here won't be so distrustful of me.
Being early in the day, Lokti decides to take a short break and sit and wait for folks to wake up before seeking out directions to the Magistrate.
"Little Horn" Yuma Ahote had been living outside of Falcon's Hollow for a bit under a month now. The man, little more than a boy really at 16 Summers, had left the Cinderlands and headed South and East, looking to make his way in the world and earn his honor, but met with little more than Chelish xenophobia and racism. He was seen as a strange outsider at best and an untamed savage at worst, despite having the gentle soul of a poet. People just had a hard time getting past the horror stories of Shoanti warclans and his ruddy complexion. He grew quickly tired of being only wanted for fear and muscle work by Chelish underbosses, and not having the heart for it, moved further East for a solitary life in in the wilds of Andoran, where he mostly provided for himself by foraging. He made few friends, and few even really knew he was but miles from town, but it could be worse. He had seen half-orcs recieve even worse treatment than he in the Chelish city states.
He stared again at the summons he recieved, delivered by a nervous rider not moments ago. He had known an illness was sweeping through; he had seen the signs among what little of the populace he had come into contact with - who were admittedly kinder and more accepting than the Chelish, though not as open as in further West Varisia. Plagues and sickness where commonplace in Shoanti tribes, in fact it had been one of the factors contributing ultimately to the events that led to Little Horn's exile.
"I'm no medicine man; no shaman? [He questioned himself in Shoanti.]"
Perhaps as an outsider he was disposible, or thought to be immune to the ravages of the sickness due to his "savage consitution". Maybe the people of Falcon's Hollow thought he possessed knowledge of foreign herbal healings? The rider had mentioned that he was not the only one to recieve a summons. Whatever the case, the people of the nearby community had been (relatively) kind to him, treating him with at least quiet indifference at the worst of time and he was eager to help in any way he could.
Yuma set forth towards the town after donning his leather and wooden armor, his poleaxe and hunting javelins (which were still unstained with blood as he hadn't been able to bring himself to kill during a hunt and subsisted on edible plants instead) in tow - he'd arrive a bit after sunrise. As he neared the sounds of the day were already about. And even on the outskirts of town were others.
He continued past an oddity - a giant frog...man? The size of halfling slaves he had seen in Cheliax - eyes forward. While Little Horn was good natured he was still awkward amongst the "civilized" folk and rarely was first to approach anyone, even those headed along the same road as he, he could be shy at times. The creature (man?) didn't appear hostile, and Little Horn wasn't looking to start any fights.
"What's a magistrate? Is that a town's warchief? [He paused to ask himself quizically in his native tongue, saying "magistrate" in Taldane Common, it rolling awkardly off his tongue.]"
Ghadame received the summons to the magistrates office and automatically assumed the worst before reading it. Great what have those brothers of mine been up to this time...I swear if I have to get Finik out of jail again I'm just going to let the Sheriff keep him in there this time she thought as she read the note. Once finished she shook her head I don't know what they think I can do...the clerics at the temple couldn't do anything so what help could I be. It is really sad that the death toll has risen to a point that dad can't bring in money anymore because they don't have the main power to run the camp. I guess I'll see what I can do but I'm hoping the magistrate has the common sense to leave my boneheaded brothers out of this. Having made up her mind to help she starts gathering her stuff and when she leaves the house she whistles for her wolf to come to her side and he comes bounding out of nowhere towards her. "Now Thor we need to go on an adventure but I don't need you scaring the towns folk again" she says sternly to him, wagging a finger at the wolf as she speaks. The wolf kind of cowers down and whimpers, almost as if to say he was sorry for what ever events had happened the last time he was allowed in town.
She makes the trip through town and then sees her two brothers traveling with a half orc towards the magistrates office. [i]oh crap] she says to her self under her breath. She walks up, the wolf at her side. "Finik, Razz, what are you up to today" She says in a cheery voice, trying to mask her displeasure at seeing them. The wolf picks up on her unease and looks at Finik, figuring he was the guilty party as always, and starts growling a little.
Lokti spots a few sickly locals coughing a little ways away.
Wow... I hope I don't catch whatever is going around. It doesn't look so good.
Lokti also notices a man walk by who doesn't look anything like the rest of the locals. Perhaps he is here for the same reason as I? The Grippli decides to approach him.
"Excuse me kind sir, but you appear to be every bit as perplexed as I. Have you been summoned here to help find a cure for this horrible plague? Perhaps we can find the Magistrate together."
Little Horn looks about, startled to hear another voice on so quiet a morning. After a moment he noticed it was coming from the Grippli, a strange race he had heard tales about, but had never seen before this morning. He hesitates for a moment. Yuma has come to expect not being the most well recieved, but with a frogman along quiet distrust might turn to open hostility if the locals weren't used to such a race. After a second's thought the lonely, young Shoanti warrior decided that he wouldn't turn down companionship and those who may generally be outsiders should probably stick together anyway.
"I have. [The Taldane Common tongue still feels strange to him, as he has rarely needed to use it in recent days, and much prefers his native language, or the softer language of the fey. He glances down at the vellum in his hand bearing (his best guess) the local ruler's symbol.] And I'd like that. I'm afraid I know little about this town. Have you any idea where a...Sheriff's [-the word is foreign to him, for Shoanti have no oppointed lawkeepers-] Office might be?"
He smiles a friendly smile as he takes stock of the odd, little man. And bites his lip inquisitively before bringing himself to ask a question.
"I know not much of your people. You wouldn't speak the tongue of the wild, by any chance? [The young man asks in Sylvan, a language he is much more comfortable with than common.]"
(add another 3 if the stars are still visible)
Razz pivots to face Ghadame. "Hey... Ghad... we were just..." he looks to Andern and Finik to make sure they are all fine with revealing their business. Damn, he thinks. Is she coming along for this one too? Watching out for Fin is going to be tough enough, but now I need to look out for both? And sis's pet, too. Ah well, as long as there's some real muscle along with us. And maybe this is just a false alarm.
"We were just headed over to the Magistrates office. He wants us to head out into the forest and find out what in the Abyss this plague-thing came from. Oh, and sis, this is my good friend Andern, from up North. Before we leave, you too ought to get to know each other."
Razz catches a look in Andern's eyes. "Though hopefully not too well. So... what are you up to today?"
After leaving his church on the order of the Warlord to gain more world experience. He went to the land of Freedom Andoran once there a rider from the town of Falcon's Hallow gave him a summons. He wondered to himself "Why am I being summoned? Who would know of my coming? It may be Gorum's will." Adjusting the massive sword on his back and the dark hat on his head Fisnis sets for the town of Falcon's Hallow.
Once at the town Fisnis sees the sight of people coughing and a odd pair one a large youth the other a walking frog. Seeing that the youth looks like a great warrior Fisnis walks up to the pair than says "Hello I am a worshiper of Gorum. I was summoned by the Magistrate do you know where he is?"
"You as well? [Little Horn turned to greet the newcomer with a polite nod. He'd hardly been apprached in months, and so early in one day he had already made two new aquaintences. It was a bit overwhelming for the generally solo traveller.] We are wondering that ourselves; though there appear to be few locals to ask directions of. I'm Yuma Ahote (pronounced U-Ma A-Hoe-Tay), but most have trouble with Shoanti words and just call me Little Horn."
The barbarian looked to each of his new aquaintences a bit awkwardly. He'd traveled a bit an knew that in some places you bow, in others you salute, some clasp wrists like the warriors of the steppes, others shake hands, and he had even heard in some lands a kiss on each cheek was the proper greeting. He had few dealings with Andorans and hoped others wouldn't be upset with him if he gave an improper gesture.
Andern holds his hands up in mock protest and laughs at Razz's last comment. "A pleasure to finally meet you, Ghadame. Your friend doesn't seen to care much for Finik. I take it they know each other."
Andern holds his hand down in greeting to the wolf. "A fine animal you have here, may I ask his name?"
Before Ghadame can answer there is a sharp cough of to his left. Turning grimly to the rest of them and whispers, "Did you see that? Never seen anyone cough up something that color before. We best get moving so we can figure out how to deal with it before anyone else dies."
"So you have been summoned as well? My name is Fisnis. Well than lets asks some locals to see what is it that the Magistrate needs."
(I guess you would pronounce it Fis-ness)
"Hey Andern, nice to finally meet you in person I have overheard...I mean Razz has told me a lot about you."After he says that to Andern he moves his left hand to shake Anderan hand. "Yeah thats a good idea Razz, I prolly could think of better one but its to early."Fin says with a laugh "I hope they team us up with some beautiful warrior women.."(Fin immediately stops and lets out an annoyed groan as he hear's his sister's voice)he replies with a forced smile, "Hey sis, whats you doing out hear shouldn't you be making father's breakfast or something?" Then he looks at Thor, and smirks at the wolf "I see Thor's not a morning person either" Fin laughs.
Finik thinks to himself great now I don't only have to listen to my brother's lectures, I gotta deal with protecting Ghadame as well. This adventure might be worse then working the lumber sites.*sigh*
"That I have, though I know not why. I've no training with healing the sick. If we three have been summoned then there will likely be others; I'm not well known enough to be singled out. Perhaps we will find more. I don't think most locals in Andoran communities walk about with weapons and armor like where I'm from, but travelers carry their lives on their backs and protect it well. If we find someone who is geared like us maybe they will be having similar troubles finding their way. I'd hesitate to ask any of the sick - getting too near the ill causes disease to spread. [Little Horn had seen the ravages of disease across his tribe before and knew well enough to avoid the deathly ill unless you wanted to tempt fate, and he tended to not be much a risk-taker omitting dire circumstance.]"
Fisnis thinks to himself for a moment than says "I would not know but I guess that would seem likely. We could look for others that seem like they are travelers."
Just before Andern and the Derakht's reach the Magistrate's office, Razz catches a glimpse of something green crouching next to a pair of men–men decked out for adventuring. Definitely not from around here, he thinks. And is that a frog?
"Hold on a second, Andern. You're right, there's not a moment to waste. In fact, if you guys want to get a head start with Magistrate, go ahead–but I think I've found our compatriots. Or our rivals. Sorry though, Fin, looks like none of 'em are girls. Unless you're into frogs."
Razz breaks from the group and starts toward the trio of foreigners. "Hey there," he beckons to them, extending a hand as he saunters over. As always, a palpable, ominous aura follows Razz at his back, but he pays it no heed. "You guys new here? Name's Duraz Derakht, but you can call me Razz."
The young Shoanti warrior steps forward to meet Razz, follwing his lead and offering his hand, not wanting to turn away someone willing to greet him kindly. He speaks softly, but with a rather forced self-confidence, trying to overcome his natural shyness.
"Yuma Ahote, but most call me Little Horn. I'm fairly new here, and have just met these two, but our goal seems to be the same - we're looking for a...Sheriff's Office? We've recieved notice that a local...chieftain [-the word 'magistrate' still tortured his tongue-] wishes our presence, though we know not what we can do to help. These lands are still strange to me."
Lokti responded to Yuma Ahote in Sylvan, "Why yes, I do speak Sylvan quite fluently."
Lokti listened intently to the conversations as more folks joined the party. Once everyone is finished introducing themselves, he jumps in.
I call myself Lokti (pronounced LOCK-tee). It is a pleasure to make everyone's acquaintance! As you can probably tell, I too am not from these parts, though I have also received a summons. At the moment, I'm not entirely sure where to report to, however.
so it is as I feared...they are coming with me...what was the magistrate thinking letting these two knuckle heads out of the eye of the town's guards she thought to her self while Razz introduced Andern. "Well its a pleasure to meet you Andern, you must be from the orc tribes that lie in the Vale to the north." She smiles sweetly and takes his hand and shakes it. "This is Thor, don't mind him...he's a little touchy around Fin, they've had a...tumultuous relationship in the past to say the least." Thor stops growling as Andern lowers his hand and he smells it tentatively and then licks it. "Hmm odd...he's not supposed to warm up to strangers that quickly..." Ghadame says looking quizzically at Thor. "We will have to work on your training later" she says to Thor before moving along with the group.
As Razz breaks off to meet up with the other group she turns to Fin and Andern and smiles "Excuse me while I go have a chat with the sheriff really quick, meet me inside when your ready." She then steps inside, some rather heated arguing ringing out from inside the office, the muffled voices of both Ghadame and a man ringing out into the streets.
Fisnis looks at the stranger for a moment than says "I am Fisnis."
Razz continues extending his hand. "Well, pleasure to meet you Fisnis. Where might you hail from? I'm from the Hollow myself, along with my siblings over there. Do you need help with anything?"
Fisnis looks at the Duraz oddly for a moment than says "I am from far off. I am looking for the Magistrate's office."
"I'm from Two Rivers, I's a little village on the edge of the forest near Droskar's Crag. I was raised by my mother among humans, though I believe my father was from one of those tribes. I don't know or care very much truth be told." Andern tears off a piece of salted pork and slips it to Thor as Ghadame enters the building.
Looking up at the other group he whispers to Razz, "I believe it is a frog, a rather intelligent one by the looks of it."
Following Razz to meet the other group he introduces himself, "My name is Andern Spellrain, a pleasure to meet you all. I presume you were summoned as well? They should be ready for us inside and I'm anxious to find out more about our task."
Razz finally gets the hint that Fisnis probably won't be shaking his hand, so he instead claps it on the shoulder of his half-orc friend.
"Um... yes. Yes. We should head inside before the day gets too far on–I believe sis and Fin are already up there." Razz looks from the sword-toting guy with the wide-brimmed hat, to the frog-man, and then to the axe-toting barbarian. "What did you two say your names were? Lokti, and...?"
Fin starts to follow his sister to the magistrate's office, as he looks back to see if the rest were following him, he noticed no one else was coming with them. Finik turns around and walks a little bit towards them and shouts"HEY YOU ALL COMING OR WHAT? I DIDN'T WAKE UP THIS EARLY TO STAND AROUND CLUCKING LIKE A BUNCH OF HENS!
After that he starts walking in a slow pace waiting for them to catch up, since he doesn’t want to be stuck at the magistrate’s office alone with his sister. *sigh*
Fin lets out a groans every other step for wishing he never got out of bed. In Fin’s mind he starts comparing himself to the two warriors by his brother wielding similar sized weapons to his own. He whispers to himself ”These two could be a worthy challenge” Then his groans stop and he gives a crooked smile.
Razz flashes a brotherly glare at Finik. "...right," he says, "that's my brother, the village slouch. Fortunately he's better with that axe than he is at waking up in the morning. Shall we join him?"
Razz falls in step with the rogue.
As you guys approach the guards office you hear a very loud shout and those of you who have met her recongnize it as coming from Ghadame. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN THE BEST WE HAVE" She shouts. As you continue to make your way into the building you see her leaned over the deck fuming. The man on the other side of the desk looks to be a half elf in his mid to late 30's, and he's just causually leaned back in his chair, hands behind his head and feet on his desk. "Really Ghadame, you need to learn to control that temper. And They're going and thats final its not my say, if you have a problem take it up with Vamros. Now I suggest you compose your self before I have my guards take you into custody." As the half elf speaks he gestures to two huge minotaur guards that he has standing on either side. They give a slight smile at the promise of action but know that Ghadame would calm down on her own. She sighs and stands up straight but its still pretty clear she's moderately upset.
"Let's go speak to Miss Laurel then. No sense standing around here while she's the one with the answers we need."
Fisnis looks at the sheriff than says "I have questions but they can be answered later. "
Razz lets Ghadame take the lead and follows her to Miss Laurel's.
Fin sticks to the back of the office, and avoids eye contact with the half elf, the others can tell he’s uncomfortable in here. He thinks to himself be this the first time I’ve been in here without being in restraints? After that thought,Finik decides to hold back any retorts of being an errand boy and tries to focus on the job at hand. As they leave he follows his sister and says mockingly
“Your faith in us is inspiring sis.” Then he laughs and prepares for a verbal retaliation from his big sister.
Ghadame leaves the office and slowly starts making her way to Laurel's shop. She stops for a second at Finik's comment and turned to him and grabbed him by the arm. She looks to the other "Excuse me for a minute I need to have a chat with my little brother here, if you'll follow Thor he'll show you the way." She then looks at the wolf who continues guiding the group to the shop though he looks a little reluctant to leave Ghadame's side.
She pulls Finik into an alley and finally lets him go. "Look, lets get this straight right now, I have no problem with any of the others here on this journey with us but you...your recklessness and laziness is going to hinder us to a point of being dangerous. Just because Vamros has seemingly lost sight of that doesn't mean I have. And I know that I am growing wary of constantly having to bail your butt out of trouble so just know when you find trouble out there" she points off towards the woods "I won't be there to bail you out, your on your own." Once she has said what she has to say she takes a breath and tries to collect herself. Once she's calmed down she moves to rejoin the group.
As Ghadame pulls Fin into the alley, his face flushes red with embarrassment. As she does her normal speech to him, he’ll just respond with his customary head nods and an occasional yes or your right thrown in there for substance. After Ghadame is done unleashing her verbal wrath on him and walks away, Fin will grumble, “I hate mornings.”
Fin will walk fast enough catch up to the group, but when they get to the shop he will just stay outside leaning on the wall next to the door.
Little Horns remains fairly silent through the events of the morning, answering shortly, albeit pleasantly any inquiries directed at him. He was ill at ease in the 'civilized' town, everything was so different and strange. Not bad, just different. He fell into line beside Lokti as the group entered the Sheriff's Office. Out of everyone he felt most comfortable nearest the Grippli; he seemed the most out of place along with the Shoanti tribesman and was the first he had met within Falcon's Hollow, however recently that was.
It was hard for Yuma to pay attention during the short speech given by Sheriff Baleson. He was in awe of the guards. Admiring the minotaurs' sheer power and form which would have placed them in high society in the Cinderlands, should such a beast not be considered a monster and a threat to the xenophobic sun clan. Most human communities he had seen also shunned those of strange heritage, in exteme cases even halflings and halforcs joined monsterous breeds in open distaste. however it was ironically larger communities, like the Chelish city states, that the barbarian had visited. Perhaps smaller communities more readily accepted change and progress. The thought comforted him a bit.
The youth had to force himself to hold his tongue when questions were called for. He had many, too many to count. But none that were as pressing as peoples lives and fewer still those that were relevent to the situation at hand. The others set on the task seemed to quickly accept him, so should he have the time he would ask them of Andoran society later.
He stays with the group as they head to the herbalist, deep in thought, quiet for the most part, before finally not being able to hold back a question that had been bubbling over his natural shyness.
"Is that normal for this land? [He asked to no one in particular as they paused when Ghadame pulled another in the party away.] Those men were part beast back there. Lokti is part frog. Not that I have a problem with either, I admire the totem spirits that smile upon them. But I too am what would be considered a savage in most human settlements from what I am aware. Is all of Andoran so...different from Varisia and Cheliax?"
Razz thinks for a moment, then responds to Little Horn's question, deciding it must have been directed at him.
"Well," he begins, "I must confess that I haven't been far from the Hollow myself, and neither have my siblings. My guess is that Cheliax and Varisia have just as many strange folks as we do, but no one feels a real need to hide it out here since we don't have some monarch watching over everybody's back.
"Not that we're a shining beacon of tolerance or anything, especially out here in the Hollow. In spite of what you've seen, sis probably has more respect for Fin and me than any other person in this town - save the occasional young lady either of us can land at the tavern of course. In fact I'm downright surprised that the Sheriff wants us on the job.
"But back to your question, uh... Little Horn. I'm not exactly normal, either." Razz uses mage hand to on a nearby rock, and a chilling, unnatural breeze guides it to his hand. "I wish I learned that trick through study, but alas, these powers have come to me along with a whole lot of bad sleep and the occasional... what might it be called to you... spirit quest? Dream walk? When I sleep have visions of stuff people weren't meant to see, and it's been happening since I was a teen. I wrote it off as being something in the food until bad stuff started happening to me during the day, and in particular to the people around me.
"For example, the first time someone put an axe in my hand and sent me off to chop wood, the guy who was working next to me–his name was Barrelwhite–got crushed by a falling branch. The next guy I was with got dragged off by... something. Anyway, a few more such instances happened and people thought I was some kind of sick murderer. You have to understand that my dad hadn't told anyone about my nightmares–like I said, no too tolerant–and when he did, everyone decided I was some sort of pariah. Better than a murderer I guess.
"Fin here decided that if I didn't have to work then neither did he... and since then no one in the town really likes us except the occasional girl who is more privy to our... charms?
"Anyway, Andoran isn't any weirder than where you're from I'm sure, but the Sheriff will do whatever he needs to to keep the lumber boys in check, and that includes hiring bovine brutes. As for Lokti, he's the first frogman I've seen, too. Hope that answers your question."
The young barbarian nodded with appreciation as he listened to what Razz had to tell.
"You are guided by unwanted spirits? I guess we all have our curses to deal with in our own ways... [He answers thoughtfully, trailing off.] You have a brother by blood to bare yours with you? You're luckier than most. Though by the sound of you two thus far that may or may not be a blessing. [He smiles warmly.] I've been around but for a short time. Just how long has it been since this illness struck?"
"Not more than a few weeks that I know of. Stuff spreads quickly in such an isolated place."
Fisnis just listens to what is being said while the group goes to speak to the herbalist about this "Blackscour taint." Thinking to himself so beings that are best left be bother Duraz.