As they finish the meal, Mayor uptal says, "Well, I wish you luck. I look forward to your return, the whole town will be ready to celebrate your success!" and with that one last blessing, he stands and heads over to Trelvar and some coins are exchanged and he leaves. Trelvar pulls Jimes aside and has a hushed conversation then Jimes heads over to Torian with his jovial countenance and says, "Mayor Uptal has provided you are room for the evening and coin for 2 more evenings after you return. I'll take you up to your room if you'd like? I see you have quite a pack there, would you like any help?
Picking up his own pack, the dwarf shakes his head. "Nah laddie, ah dwarf wh' cannaugh haul eys own pack 'as ah need fer more time a' th' forge. Just sho'e th' way 'n' 'and 'e tha key." Giving Jimes a knowingly stern look (though not a hostile or unpleasant one) he follows the man to his room.
Jimes gives a mock frown and says, ”Aw, Jilhanna ratted me out didn’t she? Oh well, have a good evening and get as much sleep as you can.” and hands him the key.
”Well Torian, let me know when you get settled and I’ll take you to Prast and Braggar too.”
Jilhanna retreats to her bedroom, where she unpacks and stares at the array on the floor.
"Uncle Jimes, would you take a look at this and see if I've forgotten anything critical?"
She is especially careful to repack the extra cheese, bread, and honeycakes from dinner.
Giving one last stern look to Jimes as he takes the key, the dwarf leaves most of his belongings in the room before locking it and returning to Galin.
"All set, lad. 'ets be goin', ey's don't be wannen tah keep ye from sayin' yer farewells en wotnaugh."
Torian and Galin make their way across the town square to the temple of Erastil. A simple wooden structure though finely made, it is one of the largest buildings in town and once they get inside, Torian first notices a large, but simple alter to Old Deadeye with a symbol of his signature bow on the wall above it. On the sides of the temple, small shrines exist to a number of other deities popular in Nirmathas and near by but Torian notices a small pedestal with a finely made and embellished hammer sitting on it with a thick sturdy looking tome next to it that he immediately recognizes as representing Torag. Prast, a young man and lanky in simple robes, is kind to Torian but avoids looking at Galin and turns his nose up whenever he has to interact with him. He offers to pray over Torian for the coming week but offers no other assistance.
Braggar's shop is just behind the temple, he appears to be done with his craft as Torian and Galin walk in but he is still busy cleaning up and organizing his creations. The work he does seems to be that of a master of his craft, but there is not much available at the moment. When Torian speaks of doing some work, Braggar responds, "Ah, well, I would want to see some of your work before I let you in my shop near my tools. Just ask Galin there how long it was before he was allowed near my forge." He seems a stern dwarf, but not unkind, only blunt.
Meanwhile, Jilhanna sits in her room, quietly checking her materials again and again to make sure she doesn't miss anything important. Jimes comes to visit after getting Torian settled in knocking on her door and poking his head in. "Oh boy, settle down lass, you haven't missed anything." As he enters the room, he says with a gentle laugh, "In fact, you might be more prepared than I was when I went!" His face turns contemplative and serious for a minute and he says, "Hmm, actually, I'm most worried about your trip TO the crypt, what with the orcs and bandits as active as they've been."
Torian notes the lack of harmony between the two clerics, but chooses not to ask either man about it. I'm an outsider, after all. No sense in stick'en me nose in other folks business. Saying a quick prayer to Torag at the shrine, he gratefully accepts whatever blessing Prast is willing to give.
At the shop, Torian gives the other dwarf an equally stern look back. "Who said an'thin' abou' 'borrowen' yer tools? E'm jest needen tha anvil, ah piece o' scrap metal, an' yer forge tah be hot tommorrah morn'n. Effin yer wan' tah join mah worship o' th' Father o' Creation, yer free tah do so."
Upon completing introductions, ”well, busy day tomorrow, I think I’ll call it a night. . i’ll miss Having a bed. Galin sighs and falls asleep having made his way to the bed.
Braggar takes another look at Torian, his eyebrows up and says, "Oh, a proper worshiper of Torag! We have a few in town who pay homage to Torag but none that are, diligent, if you get my meaning. I would welcome some company in the morning, I'll be ready for you."
The next morning, Torian makes his way down to the common room and has his pick of sausages or bacon with bread and eggs. He makes his way over to Braggar and the two of them do their obedience to Torag together, though Braggar is not very talkative. When they are completed, Braggar grins and says, "Good luck, and Torag be with you ." Braggar's smile slips a little and he looks on the cusp to say something. He haltingly comments, "When you get to the tomb, watch your feet." and then bustles off to get ready for the day's business.
Torian sets aside some sausages and bread for after worship, then proceeds to the forge. During the worship he works in time with Braggar, alternating strikes with the smith to maximize the effect on the metal while it is burning hot, helping the dwarf put it back in the forge at the right moments, ensuring that the worked metal can be used to make any number of things later on after he has left on his mission.
"Aye, may 'e watch o'er ye 'nd yer work while Ey'm away." Watch me feet, eh? Well, good advice enough anywhere. Putting away his hammer after having ensuring that his waraxe is cleaned from the polishing oil, he smiles at the dwarf. "If'n ye be need'n anou'r set'o hands fer anythin' when I get back, let me know. I have a room fer two days more upon return."
Nodding to the smith, he returns to the inn to eat his breakfast and get ready for the afternoon set off.
Isabella yawns and forces herself out of bed as the sun peeks over the horizon. Ahhhh, one last good night's sleep in an actual bed. Just what I needed.
She eats breakfast quickly, grabs her pack, and starts hunting around for her older brother. Unsurprisingly, he's out back practicing his archery on a well-worn target.
"Hey Garret, you went on this whole 'Reclaim the Everflame' quest a few years back. Anything I should know before heading off into the dark and dangerous woods?"
Garrett stays focused on his draw and release and then turns to her with a big smile and says, "Yeah, don't be in the front! Garrett has a good laugh at his statement and then continues, "But seriously, the woods have been concerning me recently so keep an eye out. I'm glad you've got that dwarf and Galin going with you because their vision will help. Just be ready for anything. Also, have someone ready to take the lantern for the Everflame during the ceremony. Utpal forgot to tell us that when he prepared us and we sat around dithering about who would get it for a minute or 2 while everyone watched." Then he tousles her hair and teases her some before getting his duties for the day.
Isabella laughs. "Gotcha, hide behind the heavily-armored dwarf. I can do that. If I crouch." A bit more seriously she continues, "And thanks for the warning. I'll be careful out there."
She heads off to the Seven Silvers, figuring she'll find Jilhanna and Torian there at least. Glad Garret let me know about the lantern; Uptal didn't mention that to us either. We'll get that sorted out so we don't look like idiots in front of everyone.
Galin gets his supplies ready and meditates as the day begins. Galin eats a light breakfast and reads in the morning. About an hour early Galin heads to the gathering point and arrives with a flag from the town that appears to have flame stitched into it on a pole, not too long, but long enough for a gnome.
Jilhanna awakes in time for breakfast and checks through her pack one more time.
breakfast, second breakfast, elevenses. Let's not miss a meal before we even start, she muses.
Wolves, hrm. Better be sure I'm not on someone else's meal plan either. She checks the sharpness of her daggers, running her thumb over the edge in a light motion. That should do, but this sword need a bit of cleaning up.
She pulls out a whetstone and refines the edge of her blade, just to be sure.
That should take care of stupid bandits. And maybe even a tendon or two of an orc.
She double checks the straps and quickly runs through drawing and re-sheathing all of her knives, making sure nothing will slow her response in an emergency.
Ok, good to go.
She shrugs her pack over her shoulders, grabs her staff in her left hand and walks out to the town center.
Spotting the flag, she moves over next to Galin.
"Morning, Galin. Where'd you get that nifty flag?"
Isabella walks up, seeing two of her companions already at the town center. She'd been expecting Torian to get there before Galin, but this was actually better for what she had planned.
Without any preamble, she says, "I asked Garret if he had any advice for us soon-to-be adventurers. He said that we should pick out someone to actually hold the lantern; apparently it's a part of the ceremony that Mayor Uptal always forgets to mention. Personally I think maybe Torian should do it. He's come a long way for an old obligation, and it seems fitting for him to have the honor. What do you guys think?"
"Hold the lantern? You mean like 'assign someone to make sure we do our assignment'?"
"Sort of? I think it's just part of the ceremony. 'Who among you dares claim this sacred lantern' or something like that. Garret said that his group all looked like idiots trying to figure out which one of them should actually step forward and grab the thing. So, I figured we could avoid the 'looking like idiots' part by designating someone in advance."
As they get closer to the time of the ceremony, Torian heads toward the meeting place with his pack upon his shoulders (after having inspected its contents yet again to ensure that nothing had... wandered off... in the course of the night). Seeing his companions from the night before, the dwarf waves at them as he approaches, just in time to hear Isabella say, "'looking like idiots' part by designating someone in advance."
Raising an eyebrow, the dwarf looks her in the eye. "Who be looken li'e idiots now?"
"Not us, because you're going to save us from such a dire fate, Torian. "
Oops. Isabells had been hoping to ask Jilhanna and Galin what they thought of her idea before Torian got there. That way if they did object they could say so without worrying about offending the dwarf. But it didn’t sound like Jilhanna minded, and if Galin did he hadn’t said anything, so it was probably okay.
”Garret warned me that we should have someone ready to officially accept the lantern. Uptal keeps forgetting to tell people that’s part of the ceremony, and then they have to make a snap decision in front of everyone. I was thinking maybe you could do it? If you want to, obviously.”
The dwarf raises his eyebrows at the request, but proceeds to think about it for a moment. "Aye could take'r fer th' group, bet Ey'm thinken i' bein' tradition fer tha' honor ta be th' party leader'ns. Which'en aye thou' was eweou." He points to Isabella at that.
Galin, proud of his flag says, “been working on it forever, seems like anyway. I thought it might raise our spirits to have a flag along on our adventure.”
Galin looks at each of them and says, ”I think either of you would make fine lantern bearers. could be Torian would have a harder time defending himself when dealing with a lantern though, perhaps something to consider... on the other hand it’s a lantern, if it looks stable maybe we can just set it down when needed...”
As noon strikes, the temple’s bell sounds with the town square suspiciously empty, and then, a person wanders in all in black, as for a funeral. As the gathered adventurers watch, another figure emerges from around the tavern, then another and another. Then whole families begin to arrive and the square quickly fills up but none of them speak. All of you but Torian have been in this crowd in years past but the experience is not the same for you know that they are all here to see you sent out and, for some, the attention is uncomfortable. As you all stand there wait, you begin to hear the soft clopping of hooves on the street and a path opens up in the crowd and Mayor Uptal rides into the square on a small cart. He comes to a halt in the middle of the square, silent the whole time. He climbs out of the cart, not looking at anyone, focused only on his task. He steps down from the cart and walks around to the back and slowly uncovers a simple silver colored enclosed lantern. He lifts it up and says, ”Once again the winter winds blow through the Fangwood, marking the end of another harvest. There are wolves in the woods, howling at our walls, and serpents in our shadows, waiting to strike. Just as it was one hundred and seventy-four years ago, when Kassen himself left these walls to protect us, so it is today. Where are the heroes? Where are the brave folk that will venture out to Kassen’s tomb and retrieve the flame to keep this community safe for another winter?” Above, a lone raven caws and he waits for those chosen to step forward.
Torian solemnly observes the ceremony with the level of interest only an outsider could have. They all seem grimmer and more serious'n I'd a thought possible. Hope no other visitors arrive today... they'd be thinking some cult resides here.
Stepping forward at the end of the speech, Torian pulls his axe from his belt and his shield from his back. Striking the back of the axe against the shield three times, he calls out loudly, "Clan Marcath be honoren our debt t' Kassen this day! I, Torian Marcath, son o' Tabarin, son o' Barin, do so pledge t' ma'e th' journey fer ye!" Burying the axe head (safely) into the earth at his feet, Torian takes a knee as he finishes, waiting for the rest of his companions to make their declarations.
Isabella stands solemnly with the others. She'd never paid much attention to the ceremony before, usually gossiping with Asina in the back of the crowd. They'd spent a lot of time rolling their eyes and giggling about the over-exaggerated seriousness of it all.
Today though it was her turn, and somehow the ceremony didn't seem so ridiculous.
After Torian makes his statement, she steps forward herself. "I, Isabella Vargidan, also pledge to complete this quest." She hesitates for a second, then kneels next to Torian. Over the top, perhaps, but it does feel appropriate. Certainly more appropriate than leaving him kneeling there alone.
Jilhanna looks around.
This is what we've got for a band of heroes?
She shrugs and saunters forward.
Huh, when they're kneeling, I can look them both in the eye.
Standing up straight, with her head high, she says, "I guess I could be useful on this expedition. I'll do what I can to get all of us back with nothing broken."
She sidesteps to be next to Isabella
"And the lantern, too."
Did I miss this part of is it new.... Galin shrugs, kneels and says, ”I, uhh, Galin Thid, uhh, will go to Kassen’s tomb and do the quest.” Galin hoists his flag proudly, but with a smirk as well.
Uptal is very briefly taken aback by almost all of them kneeling but recovers quickly and says, "Who has the honor of carrying the lantern to provide hope for the town of Kassen?" and hands the lamp to whoever is indicated and continues, "Take these meager supplies we are able to provide." Uptal uncovers the rest of the cart and you see before you...
- 5 days’ worth of rations, a full water-skin and a winter blanket per person
- two medium sized tents
- a 50 ft length of hempen rope and a grappling hook
- a box containing tinder and three tindertwigs
- a labeled potion of cure light wounds
- three torches
- a well worn Trail Map which leads to the crypt
You quickly divide up the supplies as necessary and Mayor Uptal finishes with this final statement to the assembled crowd, "I present to you the brave heroes who will follow in Kassen’s footsteps to retrieve the Everflame! Some of them may not return, but I say to you that their sacrifice shall not be forgotten. Go, brave heroes, and do not return until you have the eternal fire." With that, the mayor points to the south, the direction of Kassen’s tomb. The townsfolk begin waving goodbye with cold, solemn looks on most of their faces.
Rising, Torian wordlessly takes the lantern from Mayor Uptal with equal solemnity, holding it aloft for the town to see as if it were crown made from the most precious of metals. Bowing, he hands the lantern to Isabella as she rises.
Looking over the cart of supplies, Torian grins in a solemn way. Most of these I have in some way er other. Canno' be too prepared though.
Torian solemnly removes his axe from the ground and returns it to his belt for the time being. They ain't be fergetting that one poor lad that broke 'is neck. Grim business, that. Remember hearen tale of that'un... hopefully I won't be adden to that memorial.
Looking around, he shakes his head at the apathy of some of the older townsfolk. The younger ones have the right of it, as does the mayor. I grant that this be an annual thing fer them, but ye can't be fergetting yer heritage... that be when communities change fer the worse. Keeping these observations to himself, he helps the others pack and take supplies offered from the town, taking the light wounds potion and the box with the tinder and tindertwigs.
Trail rations? That's it? And it's not even summer were we could find berries and ripe fruits along the way. Thank goodness I packed some extras
Jilhanna takes the tinderbox and tindertwigs; her share of the trail rations,an extra waterskin and extra blanket; and one of the torches but leaves the tents, the potion, and the spare rope and grappling hook for the others.
Isabella, do you want to take the map or should I?
Isabella frowns as she looks at the supplies, then at her companions. Well darn, I'm the largest person here by far; I can hardly insist on other people carrying the tents. But they look so heavy... Glancing at Torian, she realizes she can just barely see a tent peeking out of his pack. Oh good, he already has one.
She takes her share of the rations, waterskin, blanket and a torch to add to her pack. Then, (reluctantly), she picks up one of the tents. "Oof. Torian, you brought your own, right? I think this one should be big enough for the rest of us to share. Galin, you mind getting the rope and grappling hook? As for the map, it doesn't really matter to me. Does anyone include map-reading among their talents?"
"I'll get the grappling hook, rope and I'll work the map too. I've no particular experience with maps, but couldn't be too hard right? I usually have a good head for that kind of thing."
Galin grabs these items along with a supply of rations, water and a blanket and packs them into his pack.
Galin looks back and waves at the townsfolk and whispers to his fellow adventurers, "we are ready to go right?"
Isabella whispers back. "I think so. Shall we start walking?"
Assuming no one objects, she hefts her backpack over her shoulders and begins heading south.
Torian grabs his rations shares, the spare blanket, the waterskin, the remaining two torches... and after some thought, the additional tent.
"Naught li'e I cen walk much slower, afta'll." He chuckles as he somehow makes room in his pack for all of the additional goods. The potion he puts inside his belt pouch for ease of retrieval, though he hopes as he does that it will at most be used for minor wounds sustained from the hike. Giving a final bow to the townsfolk, he follows Galin given he has the map.
Jilhanna follows Torian and Isabella.
Look at that girl go! She's going to leave us all behind.
A few minutes later, winking at Torian and Galin, she shouts
"Yo, Isabella. You going on this expedition all by yourself? Or are you going to stay with the rest of us? "
Grinning, Isabella shoots back "Come on, I know Jimes taught you to be faster than that!" She does however slow down enough to make sure her smaller companions can keep up.
"E'd be ah marathon, naught ah spreant, lassy. Den't want'ya t' end up li'e tha' poor lad when yee wern mo'e'n ah tot. Broke 'im neck climin' too quick."
While he has a good natured smile on his face as he says this, the dwarf's tone is somewhat serious... and you can tell that he is slightly concerned about someone dying under his watch, no matter how unlikely that is.
The road out of town carries you past a few small farms once past the walls. The air is crisp and cool, the leaves almost done dropping, so a carpet of them lays around you.
Galin can tell that the trail map takes you on the south road that curves to the west after a bit and then you are supposed to head back southeast toward Grey Lake before turning south to the crypt. It might be possible to head south straight from town and shave some time off of the trip but there would probably be more difficult terrain and navigation involved. It looks like, if you follow the trail map, you should be able to make it to the point where you leave the road by evening and possibly push a little farther if you want and then possibly make it to the crypt by evening the next day.
"Well folks," while sharing a view of the map and gesturing, "It looks like we can just take these roads and get there just fine. It's not the most direct route, but it's the beaten path. I think that would be okay with me, I don't know if i could navigate by landmarks if we go offtrail, but if you guys want to try, I'll have a go at it."
"Probably better to stick to the road; it's not like we're in a rush." Isabella gets a more serious look on her face. "Plus Garret said the woods have been concerning him lately. I'd rather stay out of them as long as possible."
Torian shakes his head. "Wha' be th' point o'avin' ah map if'en we don't follah et?" As they walk, Torian has his shield on his arm and his waraxe in hand. Though he is no woodsman, he does try his best to keep an eye out for signs of hostile wildlife or other things of note.
With that decision made, the group heads off down the road. There have been no recent rains, so the packed earthen road is comfortable enough. They encounter only one lone traveler. A slight half-elven man dressed all in browns with a small pack on his back and a walking stick passes them with only a simple greeting, "Afternoon, stay safe on the road!"
As they near where the trail leaves the road, the sun begins to wane but an hour or two of travel is still possible. Galin watches the map and as they approach a clearing, he indicates that this is where they leave the road. There is no trail to follow per se, but the path indicated on the map seems to indicate there are less hazards and foliage to work through on the indicated route.
Knowledge Local DC 15 (anyone if it's pointed out)
The dwarf nods to the half elf, only stopping him long enough to confirm that they are indeed heading the right way before wishing him safe travels in turn.
Entering the clearing, Torian looks up to see about how far the sun had progressed when he saw a raven circling.
"Oi. Ain'tha th' raven ah th' ceremony?"
Shrugging, he looks at the clearing.
"Perhaps it best be time ta start settin' up camp. Naugh sense in pushen erselves."
Isabella smiles at the traveler as they pass. "Thanks, you too!"
When Torian points out the raven, she looks up at it.
"Huh. Wonder if it's Holgast's familiar? He has one; I've seen it flitting around his tower. Birds all look the same to me though, especially at this distance."
As Torian suggests making camp, she looks up at the sky again. "Galin, if we make camp here will we still be able to make it to the crypt by tomorrow evening? We may not be in a hurry, but I'd rather not spend an extra night out here."
