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The Pebble is the only business surviving in the dwindling town. A portly little man with a smirk across his weathered face, the bartender says:
I'll be seeing the colour of yer coppers, first. One copper per mug. Paid up front, so ye's understand.
You overhear snatches of conversation from the dozen or so people in the tavern. Almost all the conversation is about how cunning and vicious the fox is. It seems nobody has seen the varmint, despite many traps laid out for it. There's even a poster on the wall offering a reward of a bushel of potatoes and a jar of vinegar eggs is posted for trapping or killing the animal.
"Good morning! I'm Narcisse, this is Tally and we were wondering if you could tell us anything about the Porter family."
"Do you think he will take this?" Valen asks Atticus quietly, showing him a gold piece.
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The man is wearing patchwork robes, heavily worn from age and use. The two children are also wearing simple robes, obviously a bit newer and in somewhat better condition.
You go inside and get dinner started, Jossan. And you help him, Uliana. Put on some extra, looks like me may have a bit o' company. I'm going to talk to this young couple for a bit.
Well, hello ma'am. I'm Almery, the priest to Freya in these parts. The Porters? Not really a family anymore, there's just Luka these days. Why do you ask?
The barkeep sees the glint of gold...
Everybody! Next round's on the elf!
Quietly, just to Valen and the group:
Best be givin' me that, then. Wouldn't want the whole town to know you reneged on your "promise" would ye?
His smirk, which has never left his face, widens.
Valen looks at the man in astonishment, and frowns. "Well, it will gain us some friends, I suppose." he says to Atticus out of earshot of the innkeeper.
Brethel
"Jeb told us part of the story and we went to see Janice's grave. I might be able to add to the tale ... I think."
Narcisse looks to Tally for support, unsure what to say.
Brethel
"I might be." Narcisse sounds uncertain. "I don't know what I was called before the elves saved me."
Talisek seems to be at a complete loss for words when Narcisse looks to him, and is visibly relieved when Almery responds.
Valen looks at the man in astonishment, and frowns. "Well, it will gain us some friends, I suppose." he says to Atticus out of earshot of the innkeeper.
"Funny how money does that, isn't it?"
Atticus moves next to Valgar and orders a drink, the manliest sounding thing on they have, and takes a biiiiig gulp. He immediately makes a face like a fish out of water "Youuuu drinksh thish?""That Foxsh, hesh a whiilly one."
"If you're going to take our gold, the least you can do is give us the good stuff--fellow named Jeb says you got better than what that poor man just had," Valgar says, gesturing to Atticus. More to himself, but still clearly audible, "You'd think people would know better than to water down a dwarf's ale. You humans drink it weak enough to start..."
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How came ye' to be here again, then, Miss Narcisse ?
Jeb, eh? Well, I guess since you know Jeb...Call me Scaby, and don't be lettin' the rabble out there know that I have any of this...
Scaby pulls out a flask...you see a dwarven rune etched on the metal. Scaby pours a shot of dwarven spirits for you.
Still, this be more expensive than the ale. One silver per shot. First one is on the house, as ye mentioned Jeb.
Brethel
"Just "Narcisse." The elves thought it was time I saw where I came from. I'll have to make a choice about which world to live in some time soon, and they said I couldn't choose when I only knew about faerie. It seemed to make sense. But I didn't know about the Janice - my mother. I was told I was saved from the plague. Is that true?"
"Ahh! That's more like it! You're not so bad, Scaby." He downs the shot in one gulp. His face breaks into an uncharacteristic grin. "Ahhhh....the taste of home. Here, this ought to cover me for a while." He passes three silver across the counter.
In between drinking, he'll move among the townsfolk, trying to pick up a few names and possibly a few local tales as well. Eventually, he makes his way over to the man by the fire. "Hello there friend. Why so glum when spirits are flowing?"
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Almery thinks for a moment before responding...
Well, it wasn't the plague, but I do recall that there was a bout of pneumonia going around right about the time that you disappeared. Might have looked to be the plague to outsiders just passing through. But by Freya's grace, we managed to get through that spot of bad luck.
Most of the tavern's patrons either thank you for the free round of drinks, or are still complaining of the wiley chicken-stealing fox.
The glum man turns away from Valgar, ignoring him. He mumbles, just loud enough for you to catch the gist of what he's sayinig:
...wanted to talk to someone, I'd find a man what wasn't sawed-off at the knees...
Atticus begins to have a dream, as he slowly slips into an alcohol-induced slumber...
You see a sprawling city, surrounded by a dark aura of evil. This aura begins to grow, a widening circle of destruction racing across the land. Above the city a black symbol begins to appear...that of a skull balanced atop a femur. Flashes of human sacrifices, done to appease a god of death and dark rebirth of the soul. Chanting of "...Aurikus...Aurikus...Aurikus..." A glimpse of a dark king-priest, and then of great battle. The dark aura of evil retracts back to the city. Then you see the same dark priest, involved in a blasphemous ritual...dying, but returning to unlife. The priest wades into the forces of good, and they fall like wheat before the scythe. From the towers of the city, dark clouds again pour out, covering the land and blotting out the sun.
However, one last champion of good stood against the tide of the darkness. On a strangely familiar battlefield, bearing the light of the rising sun and the ankh, this man strode forth to meet the death-priest. A titanic clash, and a hard-fought battle...and finally the priest of the sun manages to plunge a large scepter through the death-priest's chest. Then, a tomb build around the fallen body of the evil priest.
You sense that this great battle took place long, long ago in a forgotten history.
Brethel
"Oh."
Narcisse thinks, putting the bits together and not looking very happy about it.
Slightly offput by the morose man's mood, Valgar mutters to himself, "By my father's hammer, folks around here...first the elf, and now me." However, the alcohol soon restores his spirits. He returns to a seat near Atticus, keeping an eye on the slumbering human.
Brethel
While Narcisse thinks, Talisek asks Almery:
"Why so few anklebi--er, children in town? Makes things too quiet by half, no lie."
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Well, most of the young folk for the past few years have struck out into the world, seeking after adventure or wealth. Not much of either here in Lessef. I reckon the only ones under 20 years these days is Jossan and Uliana Wald...you saw them earlier. Their father left them with their aunt many years ago, but she came down sick soon after and there was nothing I could do for her. So I took them in. Speaking of the kids, I'm sure they've just about got dinner ready...will you and your young lady friend join us?
In the tavern, a familiar face suddenly shows up. You see Jeb...and he notices your group. He comes over:
I see you found your way here to the Pebble...
Jeb notices your glass...
[i]Ah...I see Scaby found some of the good stuff for ye. He's a greedy little bastard, but he's not totally without a heart...well, as long as there's some profit in it for him, that is. I can rarely manage the silver for dwarven spirits. Still, I try to have some when I can. I'm the only reason Scaby keeps it around, I wager.
Anyhow, I wanted to ask ye something. Are any of ye good at trackin' and huntin'? That chicken-thieving fox is making things pretty hard on some of us. You look like the kind of group where at least one of ye should be able to track it down for us. Ye may not believe it, but I was quite an adventurer back in me youth as well. Anyhow, back to followin' tracks...none of us have much talent for it, save for Zebadiah...but he's seen far too many winters to be tracking things through the woods. So, I guess I'm asking if you lot would be willing to try and catch that varmint for us?[i]
"Why yes," Valen replies, "I think we can track down a fox."
Brethel
"How will the village survive? I think I've got a sort of vested interest here. Yes, if Tally doesn't think we ought to get back to the rest of our party, we'd love to join you for a meal. If it's not a trouble. Or an imposition. We could pay you for the food, if you'd let us."
Narcisse struggles to remember what Valen told her about offering to pay for things and hopes she's got it right.
"Aye, he also served a round on the elf's gold. Seems the folk could use a little cheering, though. I'm not much of a tracker, myself, but I'll do what I can do help. You'll have to wait until Atticus here wakes up--the lad doesn't seem to have much of a head for ale."
Brethel
Although Talisek has generally been staying quiet except for the one question, when Narcisse offers to pay for dinner he all but cuts her off, starting to speak just as she finishes talking.
"Beggin' y'r pardon, Master Almery, but Mis--er, Narcisse hasn't had ta deal with human hospitality much o' late, livin' in the elflands an' all. All our dealin's on the road were with innkeepers. She meant no insult by her offer.
"Truth ta tell, we're here with three others, an' they're down at the Pebble--Master Valen's an elf, see, an' from what Jeb said, Ol' Man Porter mebbe wouldn't take kindly ta seein' his like. It'd be a rude thing ta do, acceptin' y'r hospitality when our friends're not here."
Narcisse blushes. "Tally's right - I'm not very good at humans yet. I hope I didn't upset you."
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Oh, no offense taken. I've known an elf or two in my time as well. Your friends down at the tavern, you say? Well, they might run into old Luka despite your best efforts. He usually spends practically every evening there...and most of the day as well. But yes, please get your friends. It's been a while since I've had that much company.
Oh, and don't worry too much about Lessef. We've had harder times than this come on occasion. Some of the young folk will come back once they've got their fill of adventuring, I'm sure. Freya will provide for us.
Oh, thank ye, mister elf sir. We'd much appreciate it if you would hunt down that fox for us. Without the chickens, we'll have to be dipping more and more into the grain and other good that we can usually manage to sell. And can't many of us afford for it to go on for too much longer. Only person around here with more than two silver to rub together anymore is Scaby. Hell, even he's offering a reward for it...can't sell no drinks to people ain't got money.
"Aye, he also served a round on the elf's gold. Seems the folk could use a little cheering, though. I'm not much of a tracker, myself, but I'll do what I can do help. You'll have to wait until Atticus here wakes up--the lad doesn't seem to have much of a head for ale."
(Sorry about the wait, work's been...intense)
Atticus wakes up flailing his arms to and fro "The Sceptre!!" he exclaims as he realizes he's awake...Atticus perks up at the mention of the fox. "Tracking?! Wellllll yes I CAN track as a matter of fact! I used to track all sorts of things in my hometown, its amazing what you learn when you stop thinking and start watching." He stands up and addresses the crowd "Tell me where this fox has been, and on the morrow I and my erstwhile compatriots will see the fellow captured!
...Right Valgar, Valen?"
"Shall we go and get them, Tally? It's very kind of you to offer."
"Erm... yes." Valen says in a puzzled manner. He smiles.
"Aye, let's. Master Almery, thank y' fer y'r kind offer, and we'll not be long." Talisek bows slightly to Almery, and he and Narcisse head back down the hill to the Pebble.
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Scaby comes up to Atticus...
Well, that fox steals at least one chicken every night. A few people have seen fox tracks on the outskirts of town here and there. I know that Jeb has seen a few tracks. Might want to ask him.
Jeb offers to take the group to where he has seen some tracks in the morning. Narcisse and Tally enter the tavern...
Talisek looks over the scene, scratches his chin, and ambles over to the group. He murmurs an aside to Valgar:
"Atticus had summat to drink again, looks ta me. No blood this time, Freya b' thankit. How's th' lad doin'?"
"'Twas more water than ale...he came to right quick, flailing around and shouting nonsense, but a few seconds and he was back in his right mind. Well, mostly. We're going fox-hunting in the morn'. How went your visit?"
"We've been invited to supper and paying is a bad thing to do. Tally explained it to me. I think I'd like some ale though. Have we got time?"
"I'm thinkit not, Narcisse. Best not ta keep Master Almery and the children waiting.... We can allus get some after the fox hunt t'morrow." In a much lower voice, Tally continues, "...'sides, y'should never turn down home cookin'."
"'Twas more water than ale...he came to right quick, flailing around and shouting nonsense, but a few seconds and he was back in his right mind. Well, mostly. We're going fox-hunting in the morn'. How went your visit?"
"The stoutest of waters, at that... I'm anxious for sleep, and to hunt that blasted fox."
*Atticus is on standby until the morning*
"Maybe food would make you feel better. Come and meet Almery. He's nice."
Narcisse looks anxiously over Atticus and Valgar for Valen's slight figure, always a little unsure without her one contact with the world she's most familiar with.
"Almery will be waiting."
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Atticus finds that the rooms are actually fairly decent, if obviously long-abandoned and a bit dusty.
Almery sees the group climbing up the hill, and shouts down to you:
Ah, you're back, and with your friends! Welcome to you all! C'mon in, dinner's a-waitin'! Hope you won't mind eating in the chapel, we don't really have a table big enough for all of us.
Almery takes you into the chapel, and then the two kids that Narcisse and Tally had seen earlier come in carrying plates of food. The children set the plates down on one of the pews. Included is bread, pheasant, various vegetables, breaded stuffing, gravy, and a large turkey.
Jossan, will you offer up thanks to Freya for all she has provided us?
The young boy stands up and seems a little nervous speaking in front of the people he doesn't know:
Great Freya, we thank you for all that you have given us. Thank you for all the food, and for Uncle Amery and for my sister. And please maybe they can tell me exciting stories of places they've been other than Lessef.
Almery tells you all to serve yourself, and ask what brings you to Lessef.
Narcisse boggles slightly at the turkey. "What is it?" she whispers to Tally.
Tally is also a bit unsure about the turkey. "A verra large goose, I'm thinkit."
As he enters the chapel, Valgar sets his axe by the door. Though going unarmed in a dwarven place of worship would nearly be sacrilege, he is fairly certain human customs differ on this detail.
Valgar takes generous helpings of everything, though he makes sure to leave enough for the others. Tearing into a large drumstick, he sighs contentedly. "First fine ale, and now an even finer meal. Thanks to Freya indeed!"
Heedful of Jossan's request, Valgar tells him of the dwarven city of Anvil Plunge. " M' name's Valgar; I'm from Anvil Plunge, a great dwarven city that lies east of here. You wouldn't know it, though--where you humans build up, we dwarves dig down; the halls of Anvil Plunge reach deep into the earth, each level more majestic than the last. Our mines produce all sorts of metals and gems, which our craftsmen work into the most beautiful weapons and armor you've ever lain eyes on. My axe there is dwarf-made, though it is but a simple apprentice's work. I am still young, and have not yet made a name for myself. This is why I have come to the surface, where I met my fine companions you see here."
"Master Almery, thank y' again fer y'r hospitality. D'ye and the children allus eat this well?"
Once Valgar has finished telling of Anvil Plunge, Tally will continue. "Young master, I'm Talisek. Y'll not have heard o' where I'm from, it's a village much th' same as Lessef. More ank--kids underfoot, though. I s'pose I've been some exciting places, though truth ta tell I mostly recollect mud an' marchin'. An' screamin' an' bleedin' a time or five, o' course." He absent-mindedly rubs the scars on one arm, staring off at nothing much at all.
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Jossan listens to Valgar's tale, enraptured. Uliana gets up, goes over to Tally, and pulls a scrap of paper from her pocket. She gives it to Tally, it is a sketch of a man.
Mister Tally? Have you ever met my father? This is what he looks like.
Almery explains that they don't always eat this well, but that he is thankful for the company, and that he asked Freya for the blessing of a meal, and the feast before you appeared through his faith. Unfortunately, it's not something he can regularly do...he senses that Freya has brought the your group here for some reason.
Jossan ask Valgar:
If you live underground, can hear the voices of the dead too? We live up here above the cemetery, and sometimes I hear them.
Almery tells Jossan that he's just imagining things, although Jossan actually looks slightly excited instead of scared.
As conversation turns to the village's troubles, Almery asks if you have heard about the fox. He seems a bit dubious....it seems to him that too many chickens have gone missing...more than a fox could reasonably take. He also tells you that there's been no finding of any blood or feathers...just the fact that the chickens are missing. Still, he ask if you will try to catch it. He even offers to give you a gift for the promise of trying to catch the fox, a vial that will restore your vigor.
Almery just asks that you try to capture the animal and remove it peacefully. He understands that this may not be possible, but he's got a soft spot for foxes.
Master Dwarf, that is a fine axe you have. I've always admired dwarven craftsmanship. Might I ask if you would look over some of the weapons I've been given by the farmers here? My eyes have begun to go a bit dim, and I'd love to hear what a true master like yourself could be able to tell me about them.
After looking at the sketch, Tally shakes his head. "I'm sorry, young mistress, but I don't know 'im. Iffin y' could give me another drawing, though, I'll look fer 'im in m' travels."
Narcisse soon stops feeling shy in the company of the children and tells them about her life in faerie before eating some of the feast. When Uliana shows Tally the sketch she looks over his shoulder.
"We'll look for your father. Valen and the elves are the only family I really know, but if I'd been brought up here, I'd be just like you. What kind of man is he Uliana - I mean what does he do?"