Without questions of your own you move through the crowded streets, with Agatha's mask getting the most gruesomely fascinated attention from all that behold it. While there are a few moving about the streets so armed and with packs, there are not many and that too also garners you some attention.
Within an hour and in the early twilight you arrive in the Commons.
People move drunkenly though the streets and cheers and celebrations sound from within its many Inns and Taverns.
Anyone care for a drink? The not person kind.
"Sure, why not." Erique shrugs, pulling up his hood and walking into the tavern.
Agatha dances with the people in the streets, laughing a spinning between them. Taking an old woman in her arms, she spins her around like a little girl before giggling and dashing off after the others.
Raphael sits down heavily at the bar and gestures for a drink.
The old lady shrieks looking at Agatha's gruesome mask and struggles to get away.
Why don't you let the old lady go?, asks one of the larger uglier patrons. The tone is that of a friendly suggestion rather than a threat though. His friends look pretty big and ugly too.
Raphael whittles back at Agatha. Agatha, leave the townsfolk alone!
Erique sighs.
Because making problems for ourselves is always the best thing to do...
Azeban looks on at Agatha's shenanigans with a mixture of disappointment and confusion, still unable to understand frivolity or the desire of being in a town, around other people. He follows closely behind Raphael, and inside the bar, G'mork curls up at his feet. He turns to Erique. "Any idea what these 'supernatural predators' may be? Imagine you've seen a thing or two in your time."
"Not sure, we don't have a whole lot to go on right now. Best guess? Probably Ghouls. They're pretty common all over the world, and craftier than many give them credit for."
One of the 'locals' gravitates to your table.
Even masked I know who regularly stops by here... and your clothes mark you as someone who would not normally be here. Is it just cheap wine and cheaper company you want or something else?
Agatha dances into the bar, rises onto her toes, claps her hands above her head twice and collapses into a chair at the table. Pulling up her mask with a sigh, she says, Festivals just aren't what they used to be."
Looking to the local, she asks, "Sir, what is it we celebrate tonight? That we have lived another day, a month, a year? Has someone important decided to plow a field before the gods, so to speak? Or perhaps a particularly nasty villain has passed on to a better world, could that be it?
Agatha is obviously in a fine mood, her standard rictus grin an actual smile.
Why it is the birthday of Good Grand Prince Stavian? Its always held on the birthday of our ruler
"Excellent! Forgive me sir, for I am a traveler and ignorant of local festivals. Please allow me to celebrate this most auspicious day with you as we honor the results of royal dalliance!"
One of the 'locals' gravitates to your table.
Even masked I know who regularly stops by here... and your clothes mark you as someone who would not normally be here. Is it just cheap wine and cheaper company you want or something else?
The local eyes you suspiciously. Well? You after anything special?
"Nothing really, we just heard there was good hunting around these parts."
Ha! Hunting rats is one can hunt around here or maybe flesh is what you hunt, yes?
Aye, flesh. Though what sort I cannot say.
Ahhh ha! Well then, you've come to the right place - Old or young, we can get 'em for ya. We even got a few cribs in back so it don't ruin your drinkin' rhythm any - whats yer preference?
Erique curls up his nose in revulsion at the last bit, but tries to hide it.
If this one represents the general population maybe we should just let them all get eaten...
Raph snickers under his breath, but makes no response.
"No, we're looking for something a little more dangerous. Word around here is people have started going missing around these parts. Any idea what might be doing it?"
He makes a sign against evil.
Who are you?, he whispers.
Raph looks impatiently at the man with a gleam in his eye.
Were here to help, and if you want people to stop dying than you need to give us some answers, now.
Raph's hood slides back just far enough to see a glimpse of what may or may not have been a fang, and a dangerous glimmer in his deep red eyes.
"Who are we? Probably the only thing standing between you and whatever foul creature is preying on your town."
Aye... mabbe and mabbe you ain't but we've no choice - people keep goin' a missin' every day an' the authorities pay no mind t' it.
Azeban is the last to approach, feeling more than a little uncomfortable in the cramped indoors. He had been hoping to depart quickly, and with minimal interaction, but that idea seemed to be going out the window. He smiles gently at the local. "Forgive the overzealousness of my friends." he begins. "They are merely eager to help. We know too well of how the authorities can ignore the responsibility they have to their own people." His voice drops to almost a whisper. "That is why we take matters into our own hands. Now please, your help could save lives. Is there anything you can tell us about what has happened here?"
We've been seein' people die an' go missin'. At first it twas' what you'd expect - the old on th' streets, street walkers in' places n' at hours they' shouldn't be, y' know, he licks his lips nervously.
But tis too many an' then we starts findin' th' bodies - in the sewers - some o' th' Toffsmen stumbled upon 'em. Know theys beed pretty gnawed up - on account o' th' rats an' all but theys' been thinkin' that everyone o' th' bodies had somewhat strange - theys', the toffmen that is, they say the bodies had their heads ripped or cut orf... an' twernt any blood about - likely theys beed killed elsewheres.