Upon getting closer to the building, Daniel recognizes the building as a temple to Asmodeus. "Let's keep walking." He walks around 11 and heads to 10.
Zero tries to enter the Forest Bounty from the rear through the kitchen.
"Excuse me. I couldn't ignore the fine smell of freshly baked bread. Where are you getting your yeist from?"
Zero is trying to establish a connection by talking among professionals.
Valessa nods. "Might be wise." Without further comment, she follows Daniel.
Val and Dan head to the Black Candle
This squat building sits at the middle of Dawn Lane. Ivy covers much
of its walls and partially blocks several diamond-shaped stainedglass
windows. Near the front entrance, a large iron arm thrusts up
from the ground, its palm facing the sky. A black candle nestles in
the palm, a bright flame dancing on its wick.
Valessa looks at the strange black candle, her head askance at the odd sight.
"What do you think this might be?" As she says this, she looks around at the various windows to see if anything might be notable.
Daniel shakes his head, "I have no idea but I guess we should go inside and find out."
The fire that burns from the large
black candle near the door is a
continual flame. Pushing open
the front door causes a string
of bells hanging in front of it to
jingle loudly,
end dangles a sprig of mistletoe
wrapped in yellow ribbon.
Bingo. As they walk into the strange shop Valessa smiles.
"Hello? Is anyone here? Sorry to make such a ruckus." As she calls this she locks eyes with Daniel, then shoots a quick glance down to the bells on the door without moving her head.
Daniels eyes follow Valessa's gaze and he nods at her as he waits for the proprietor to appear.
A half-elven woman replies
"Hello and what Can I do for you today?"
Valessa give the half-elf a smile. "Honestly, I am not to sure. We saw the... inventive decorations," she points out toward the candle with one hand obviously...
... but her other hand is pointing toward the bells and their mistletoe decor.
"and we came inside to see what, exactly, this shop was. And what you might be able to provide to us."
A half-elven woman replies
"I specialize in herbal remedies for common ailments and injuries."
Daniel begins to speak to Viaren, "I am looking for some of the more rare herbs. Perhaps you have them."
After discussing business for a bit he ends with nodding to the mistletoe, "That sprig of Viscum album there has particular interest for my friends"
she talks herbs a bit with Daniel, and with the blunt note of the mistletoe
Seeing the shop keeper not get his hint (is she blonde? based on that picture that's a yes.) Daniel gets blunt, "That mistletoe means you are one of the friends I was told about in this town. What information or help do you have for us?"
Valessa gives Daniel an exacerbated look but smiles at them both.
"We are here to help, but we need help ourselves if we are to accomplish what we are here for."
Daniel smiles at her, "That is ok. It's been a trying day for everyone I know."
Valessa nods. "It has, hasn't it? Still, one can always hope that the day will improve. Or better, take steps to improve it."
A half-elven woman replies
"I'm Viaren and I run the black Candle, We have a lot of herbs and remedies here, and the Baron as for a large order of Herbs lately."
Daniel seems surprised for a moment and then asks, "What herbs has he been ordering and do you know what he is using them for?"
Viaren replies
"Most of the herbs the baron bought are used in necromancy.
Lately, his agents have purchased a lot of herbs and concoctions used to preserve dead bodies.
He might be trying to raise and army of the dead."
Daniel sighs, "Great! Just what we need. An army of undead. Hopefully he's expecting to take some losses and just doesn't want the corpses rotting while he's stuck in here. Do you know a secret way into the castle or anything else that might help us out?"
Valessa mulls this over. "Or a way to sabotage them so they don't work?"
Viaren replies
"Sorry I don't know anything of getting into the Keep.
And if he is making an army of the dead it'll be in the Keep itself."
"Is there some kind of herb we could sprinkle on the bodies, if we find them, to render them unusable to necromancy?"
Viaren replies
"Well the army of the dead is just a guess on my part, as who knows he could of figured out another use for them"
Valessa thanks the proprietor and turns to Daniel. "Perhaps it is a good time to return to the Inn for some lunch? Maybe the others will have a similar idea and we can compare notes?"
Daniel nods "That sounds good for now. With everything going on around here we never know when we will eat again."
You both head back to the The Inn, Dead Man's Well.
and see the watchers are still in their spot.
Everyone gets back to Deadman's Well.