Once the chamber has been opened Alurad turns his attention to the discovery of dead body. When Duraz ends with his prayer Alurad speaks up; “Oh my boy, I would appreciate it a great deal if you could leave this room lit up for me while I take a look around.” Alurad begins looking at the body, trying to see if there is any obvious cause of death.
As he is looking over the man, Alurad begins to think to himself; Gurthun you old peddler of wears what have you got yourself fought up in... Alurad begins looking through the pockets if this body is indeed the peddler.
Thilla moves closer to inspect the body. "Well let my friend sniff the corpse. Maybe he will get an idea whats wrong."
The wolf, on her order goes closer and slowly sniffs the body."[/B]
A statue of a large, powerful-looking warhorse stands
near the top of the hill. An inscription on the statue,
written in Brandobian, reads, "I will come for that
which only a hero can offer.
"Something hero's could offer? Hmmm..a heroes reward? A tale? Or perhaps a feast?" He pauses "Or a journey or a welcome? Perhaps my thoughts are too jumbled"
Realizing that the body is not one of the Gurthun that he knows, Alurad steps out of the mausoleum. “Lucius, you might be onto something. The apparition of the horse only appeared once we started to look over the statue. What if that is the horse of Gurthun I that is haunting this graveyard with the hope of a new journey... ‘I will come for that which only a hero can offer...’”
Mumbling to himself as he paces; “hero can offer... journey... adventure... what is it that only a hero can offer...” Once he comes to a possible conclusion he turns back towards the group with a smile. “What is it that a hero can offer? What is it that a hero gives when they are freeing the oppressed? What is it that a hero gives when they open up a damn that has blocked the water flow that at one time flowed through their town to water their crops?”
“The same thing that the horse comes for is the same thing that a hero can offer those people... it’s hope!”
When nothing clearly happens following his declaration, Alurad lowers his hand and scratches his face. “hummm, I could have sworn that would have been it... Lucius you’re right as rain my dear boy.” Alurad makes his way over to Lucius and clasp him on the back with an aged hand. “We should seek out Gurthun’s descendent back in town, he is a peddler of garments. He must have a storefront where we can find him.”
“Unless there is anything else to be done, we should head to town and acquire on the whereabouts of Peddler Gurthun.” Alurad begins to make his way to reclaim his pony.
Thilla thinks for a moment and shrugs.
"In our village heroes are the base for epic stories, they give us a chance to dream and fill our hearts with courage and bravery!"
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Duraz listens to Alurad's monologue on the statue's enigma and makes an effort not to laugh. After nothing happens, the cleric comments gloomly One thing I know is that heroes don't offer wisdom. The few who exist come, eat the peasants' food and leave without teaching the common folk how to fend for themselves, leaving them vulnerable to the next crisis.
It seems this conversation made the cleric reopen some old wounds, although he is still curious about the riddle. Alurad's motion to leave the graveyard is met with an escape for Duraz for now. Let us think of this another time, he says.
Thilla smiles and adds."And inspiration!"
Seeing the horse out of control, I cast daze to attempt to stall it for a few seconds.
Moving forward tries to calm the horse.
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Thilla is able to dash forward and grab the reins of the horse. The horse slows down and the wagon eventually grinds to a halt. The crowd starts moving about around the street again.
Duraz meanwhile heads over to the boy who appears startled. "Ah...thank you sir" he replies in accented Merchant's Tongue.
The older grey haired human man dusts himself off and moves over to the party. He is clean shaven, dressed in traveling clothes and is balding on top.
"Thank you sirs and madame for saving my grandson." he moves his arm to his back and holds it with his right hand. "I think Merna" he says looking at the horse "is too skittish sometimes.." he then quickly shakes his head and looks down. "Oh my...I'm forgetting my manners..You'll look like outsiders...I'm Fern Wendelholm." he points to the boy "This is my grandson Aden. You've done a good deed today and I'll be sure to let the townsfolk know that you're good people. Some of them can be a bit cantankerous to outsiders!"
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Duraz is unsure what to think to be called "good people", but he understands that the bald man meant it as a complement. We are outsiders indeed, the cleric says a little ironically. Expect many more to come with the festivities coming, he adds wondering how the townsfolk means to be cantankerous with everyone who comes.
My name is Duraz. I take it you are leaving town from your clothes? He pauses for a moment and adds I'm sorry, I don't mean to intrude, it's just that it's hard to find polite locals usually.
Looking over the boy to make sure he is visibly well. “Fern, nice to meet you. The name is Alurad Sorizan, we are all heading to town for the festival and skills competitions. I am looking for a man, Gurthuns the name I believe. I am looking for a man who sells clothing, more like mends clothing. I heard he handles clothing and fabrics. Do you know where to find him in town?”
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Fern turns to the Duraz "Yes should be a bit of a crowd in town." He looks to the wagon "Oh we're just taking a few casts of salted pork to some relatives about 3 hours out of town. Nothing major" He then turns to Alurad "Oh yeah I've heard of him. He's near the market and a cobbler in the center of town. Not that far"
Smiling and giving the gentleman a courteous nod of the head. “Thank you Fern, you have saved us a bit of time wondering around town looking for the merchant.” motioning towards the horse with an open hand; “Hopefully she doesn’t give you anymore trouble as you make your way to your family, and delivering their crates.”
Alurad gives the cart a cursory glance over the cart before saying fairwell. “Well, we must be on our way if we want to catch Gurthun before he closes. And you too if you hope to make good time today. Quite the journey you have. Be safe.” With a slight hand wave, Alurad leads Shadow towards the town.
"Be careful on your way good sir!"
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The party notices that Fern is wearing a wizard symbol around his neck.
Alurad thinks the cart is fine.
- - -
The party heads toward the center of town near the marketplace. You soon locate a shop on the street mentioned by Fern. There's a sign hanging on the shop. "Gurthun's Garments". The door to the shop is closed.
Looking up at the sign hanging above the shop, Alurad comments; “ah, well. Here we are. It seems our traveler friend didn’t lead us astray.” Opening the door and walking in, Alurad is happy to see the welcoming man behind the counter.
As Alurad looks around at the wares he speaks up; “This is a great shop you have here... Gurthun?”
Alurad will move up to the counter and introduce himself. “Alurad Sorizan” offering a hand, “just arrived for the festivities. Has foot traffic increased for you here?”
With a smile and a wave of his hand, Alurad responds. “Oh my. We know eachother? Heavens no... But, I know of you.” gesturing to his companions; “You see, my friends and I were traveling here for the festivities when I saw something just north of town within the cemetery. You see there is a beautiful statue of a warhorse. Exceptional craftsmanship if I must say so myself. It was near a mausoleum that happened to have a name on it. Gurthun I. Chance is a funny thing... It shares your name. Do you know of this mausoleum and statue that I speak of?”
“You see, I was curious of the name of that horse. You don’t happen to know its name do you, or of the Gurthun I that is on the mausoleum?”
Looking around and taking care that her companion stays close, Thilla smiles at the shopowner and let´s Alurad speak.
Checking for a few tiny knicknacks, she is interested in what there is on sale!
“any help you might be able to offer would be greatly appreciated."
Duraz watches the scene silently a little nervous, ready to chip in if necessary. He personally disliked the aggressive manner of Alurad's speaking, but has seen aggressiveness work sometimes.
"your father's grave? I am sorry we are bringing you potentially I'll tidings. We could not discern exactly what happened, but the mausoleum was potentially disturbed. Do you know of any reason someone would want access to his tomb?"
The door to Gurthun's shop opens. In walks a halfling man. He is slim, with curly brown hair, wearing a dark green tunic and brown trousers. He also wears a cloak and a backpack, both dusty. A short sword hangs from his hip.
"Oh, hello everyone. A busy place today." He glances from face to face. "Which of you is the proprietor? I'm in need of a new tunic."
Thilla smiles and looks around. "Do you have a rope for me?"