As the sun rises, you find yourselves in Vinse, a small logging town in the northern region of Camaden, a week's travel from Aravel, home of the elves. The spring weather feels cool and you can sense rain only days away. But rain is common during this season, more so in the north than anywhere in Camaden's expanse. Flooding is a problem, ruining many fields and generally making labor unproductive.
There are a few buildings that stand out to you in this small community. A sawmill, an inn called "The Gilded Axe" and a common hall. The rest are small cottages and shacks. A few people mill about the area, an air of fear surrounding the small town. The townsfolk look over their shoulders once or twice as you make your way up the dusty path.
Tosom shifts his armor into a more comfortable position letting the scales clink together as they shifted. The odd looks he recieved he took as the oddity of weapons he carried on him, the scimitar and rapier on his hip, the warhammer that dangled from his bag with not but a buckle to hold it, and the shield that adorned his arm.
Tosom was stil weary from the previous days walk and moved to "The Gilded Axe" hoping to get some breakfast.
Looking straight into the Sun, Tanna let the light warm her as she slowly walked about the small town. She quickly took in everything, though there was not much to take in. The inn was the most prominent of any building there, so it was obviously the best choice for her.
Ignoring the frightened looks coming her way, she walks into the tavern and looks about the place.
"Not much to look at." she thinks with disdain. Moving over to an empty table, she sits down with a flourish and looks about for the server.
"They better have reasonable service here. I dispise no service. How these holes in the middle of nowhere make it through life is beyond me."
An average-looking maiden wanders about the tables asking each person what they would want.
Vishanti stretches, her legs feeling the last few hours of her trek to the village of Vinse. Though she was in the general area from time to time, it had been at least a year since she had last been in the village itself.
Already she could feel the spirits of her blood, those descended from Valentin Ironwolf, calling to her, the way the spirits of the heavens spoke to her. Taking a deep breath she walks into the town, well aware of the stares that were drawn by the tattoo’s that adorned much of her body’s surface, intricate patterns, whorls and sigils, indicating the flow of cosmic power above. Her sparkling eyes take in the area as a random breeze catches her cloak and hair.
Yes, there was work of some sort to be done here
She walks towards the place she feels drwing her,an inn called The Gilded Axe. It would be odd sleeping with a roof over her head for the first time in quite a while.
It was a very long trip from Ganz to Vinse and Derika was exhausted. Tired of rations and water, she heads to the only Inn she sees, The Gilded Axe. She ignores the stares and the whispers as she makes her way inside and looks for a place to sit.
Trying to make her way through the crowded Inn isn't easy and she tries to be mindful not to step on the other patrons, lest it start a fight. Looking around she notices a few others in the Inn that look a little different and out of place with the rest of the villagers. It takes a few minutes but she finally finds a place to sit where she can see the peoples comings and goings and watch the rest of the room, the interesting looking strangers in particular.
Calling over the one person she sees waiting on the table and asks for a large plate of whatever they're serving today along with a tankard of ale. She then sits back to relax, watch, and wait.
The maiden quietly takes Derika's order, along with Tosom's and Tanna. She glances furtively at Vishanti before heading back toward the kitchen. She serves the three people quickly, her face betraying a little concern at these strange people showing up. She places Derika's breakfast in front of her. "You're a soldier from Ganz, aren't you?"
She smirks a bit, but allows herself to relax as she smells the food and her stomach rumbles slightly. Looking up at the barmaid she says, "Yes...I guess there's no point in trying to hide it. If you have questions, I'll try to answer them...but, could I maybe eat first? It was a really long trip."
"Mmm, go ahead," the maiden says, slightly relieved by the sight of the haf-orc's uniform. She busies herself cleaning tables.
While keeping an eye out on the other patrons, Derika tears into her breakfast while taking large gulps of the ale. It only takes her about ten minutes to clean her plate and polish off the ale. Letting out a loud belch she leans back in the chair while pushing her plate away.
Vishanti takes a seat at an unoccupied table sitting back to study the inn's patrons. The doesn't miss the glance the serving girl gives her, but doesn't react either, used to the impact of her presence.
As Vishanti takes a seat, the maiden walks over to her. "Can I get you anything?"
"Some fruit and meat if you have it, and water would be fine." Vishanti says, smiling at the maiden.
She had to remember that people liked it when you smiled at them.
The barmaid nods and heads to the back. She returns with a plate of thinly sliced meat, strawberries, oranges and a tankard of water. She smiles politely at Vishanti before resuming her duties.
"I'll have fine wine with an assortment of your best cheeses." she says with an air of haughtiness.
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Tosom takes a seat at a small table next to a wall doffing his bag, weapons, and shield. As the barmaid comes around he asks for his meal "Fruit please, apples if possible, and small bit of meat, and a dark ale if you can."
The barmaid brings Tanna a plate of mild cheeses, good but nowhere near the quality the oracle is used to. She bows her head apologetically before tending to Tosom. "Tis not apple season, good sir..."
"I only said if possible, I will take what I can." Tosom responds kindly.
The barmaid smiles at Tosom. "Of course, you'll have to forgive us. We don't get many visitors as of late. Also, the caravans have been passing us by."
She returns a moment later with a plate of strawberries and oranges, along with some meat and a frothy dark ale.
Tanna looks harshly at the woman. "Did I not say wine? I want something to drink! Now go get it!" she says while waving her hands in an agitated shooing motion.
The barmaid rolls her eyes while her back is turned to Tanna. "Just a moment, ma'am."
She brings a simple goblet of dark red wine to the elf. "It's unusually busy today, begging your forgiveness."
"You are forgiven. How much?" she says while gesturing to the food.
"Two silver."
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After collecting Tanna's money, the barmaid heads back to Derika's table and sits down. "We thought they forgot about us out here. Where are your companions? Don't tell me you came alone."
She looks up and locks eyes with the young woman, "Sorry it took me so long to get here, but they didn't forget about you. They heard what was going on here and asked me to come down here...." She stops and looks around for a moment before lowering her voice and continuing. "They asked that I investigate the disappearances that have been going on here. I am here alone, but I was told to gather some information and relay back what I find to my commanding officer. He said I would find a contact in Aravel....though he never mentioned a name. I promise you....I will do my very best to uncover the truth of what is happening here and put a stop to it."
"We've already had a handful of adventurers head to Valentin's Folly, never to return. I would not go alone," the barmaid says. "You could poke around town and see what people know. There are some who have an interest in the keep."
She nods thoughtfully, "Thank you for advice, I'll take it into consideration. Is there someone in charge of this town that I could talk to? I'm also going to require a room while I conduct my investigation...if there's one available of course."
"There are plenty of rooms, for better or worse," the barmaid says. "As for someone in charge...we don't really have much of that here. We have a group of people who manage our affairs."
"Do you think they would be willing to talk to me?"
"Probably. They want this situation resolved as much as anyone," the barmaid says, before looking down.
Picking up on the young woman's subtle body language she nods, "I see.....I'm sorry." Comforting people wasn't something she was used to doing and seeing all the hurting people made her realize just how important her job here was.
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Vishanti feels the disquiet in the common room. An arrogant elf woman was acting like the worse of those from the cities, and now that the girl was talking with the soldier in the corner, she seemed even more agitated.
She looks at the barmaid for a moment, not sure of how to proceed. It was obvious that something about this situation with the disappearances was bothering the young woman, but Derika was unsure if it was because she knew one of the ones that disappeared or if it was something else. If I want to find answers, I have to ask questions.
Clearing her throat she asked, "Is there anything you can think of that you could tell me that might be useful? If you don't know anything else that's okay too.....just tell me where I can find this group of people you spoke of."
She tries not to sound abrasive, but it's hard being delicate in these types of situations....especially when you've never dealt with them before. The experience will be good for me....riiigghhhht. What in the hells did they possibly think I could do here?
The barmaid shakes her head. "There is a sage, Tehno Isotalo, who is looking for people to investigate the keep. You can find him near the common hall, it's hard to miss his home. The council will likely be in the common hall, should you wish to speak to them."
She nods her head, "Okay....I'll go speak with him first then. Who should I see about getting a room?"
The barmaid points at a graying man behind the counter. "Ephrahim will help you with that. Our rooms are small but comfortable. I do hope you stay for a while. Perhaps with a soldier about, it might cut down on these bandit attacks."
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She nods, "I'll stay as long as it takes." She looks over at the Elven woman before excusing herself and getting up.
Before heading over to the man behind the counter she stops by the elven woman's table and looks at her, "Hey Princess, try to take it easy on these folks okay? They've had a hard enough time lately." Without waiting for a reply she turns and heads over to the counter to get Ephrahim's attention.
"Excuse me....Sir? I was told I could pay for a room here?"
"Your opinion is disregarded as the matter is already settled."
Tanna's curiosity gets the better of her and she stands and follows the woman to the bar. She looks inquisitively at Derika and asks:
"You don't look like a native here. What brings you this far out?"
Ephrahim looks up from the book he is reading. "Ah, yes...It's five copper a night."
She smiles at the Inn keep and hands him a gold, "Here, this is for my meal and down payment on the tab I'll be running since I'm unsure of how long I'll be staying. Just let me know which room I should go to."
She ignores the elven woman's rudeness for the moment as she is settling matters for herself. She holds up her hand to the woman to signal that she needs a minute before answering.
Ephrahim passes Derika a key. "Room six."
Elsewhere in the tavern, you hear an older man mutter. "Blasted Ironwolf, bringing this curse upon our heads and now we have strangers in our town to boot..."
She thinks while waiting for the Innkeeper to respond and hands him another gold. "That should cover a room and meals for a while, I really have no idea how long my investigation is going to take. If that's alright of course."
She takes the key and thanks him before turning her attention to the rude elven woman.
Smirking a bit she looks at her and takes in her manner of dress, "Well, you'll pardon me for saying so....but, you don't exactly look like you fit in either princess."
"Strangers that might be helpful old man." Tosom says after finishing his meal, he still holds his ale as he sits at the mans table. "Now who is this Ironwolf and what curse did he bring?"
The old man regards Tosom with an equal dose of ire and curiosity. "If he hadn't waged a war against the orcs and goblins all those years ago to put up that eyesore, we wouldn't be dealing with them now. He was handy with a blade but a fool with his money...if you don't listen to rumors. Some believe he left gads of gold underneath that keep. It's what attracts these fool adventurers to explore his grave."
The man takes a sip of ale. "Valentin Ironwolf was an adventurer, wanted a place to settle down after his days of wandering around were done. Settled out here."
"I haven't called you a derisive term, so stop calling me that."
Hearing the man mutter his comment and reply, Tanna moves over to him.
"Not everyone wants just gold. I am after things of historical sigificance. What else do you know about this keep?"
She sighs, "I'm a soldier from Ganz and I was sent out here to investigate the strange happenings that have been going on here. Once I have some information I'm supposed to go to Aravel to report to someone my superior officer has stationed there. What is your purpose out here, other than the obvious rudeness you displayed earlier?"
"I'll stop calling you that when you stop acting like a spoiled princess....princess." She chuckles slightly as she follows her over to the table with the older man.