Welcome to Cormyr Land of the Purple Cragons
Welcome to the picturesque village of Eveningstar, nestled at the foot of the Stonelands where the River Starwater winds down a gorge and snakes into the King's Forest.
Here, the Knights of Myth Drannor began their famous adventures. Here, the Ladies of the Brazen Blade, The Company of the Singing Sword, The Steel Shield Band, and many others came, clutching royal charters from King Azoun with the ink scarcely dry on the parchment. Some fell, some went on to greatness - but they all came here first: here, to the Haunted Halls.
Despite numerous infiltrations, the Halls have not yet yielded all their secrets or treasures. Many dangers lurk as deadly as ever in dark chambers herein, awaiting new companies of eager-eyed adventurers.
Is it your turn to dare The Haunted Halls? Many come, but few survive to again see Eveningstar's beauty.
Eveningstar: Eveningstar is an agricultural community producing primary products such as milk, eggs, poultry, mutton, carrots, beans, and parsnips, as well as value-added goods such as cheese, parchment, wool, and wine; all of which are sold at a weekly farmers' market. Eveningstar was also a popular stopover for frequent overland caravans, who patronized the local farmers and businesses. The most important business in town was the Lonesome Tankard Tavern and Inn, famous in Cormyr as one of the best places to eat, drink, and stay the night. the town exports commodities such as parchment, wine, and wool to Daerlun in Sembia.
You all arrive along Starwater Road. A freshly minted charter from one Lord Herrod Firedrop. A man whose daughter you saved from goblins. It was his relationship with King Azoun the 4th that you got a royal charter and the tasks of exploring the Haunted Halls.
If tasks you to head to Lord Tessaril Winters house when you are settled in. Tell me brave adventurers what is it you do now?
Teryon was distracted by memories of Lynessia - she was beautiful by any standards. The fact she had broken her nose one too many times just accentuated her dynamic character, which made her even more attractive to the young man who had no patience for the foppish girls which usually waltzed around noble's houses.
He made an effort to concentrate on the task at hand, turning to his companions as they walked along - "So... What do we actually know about these 'Haunted Halls'?
Posh shakes his head, "you mean beyond the obvious associated with their name, right? They have a fearsome reputation, but insofar as are they really "haunted?" Well. Ask me in a couple months, and I will give you a more educated opinion."
"Fair enough" - Teryon smiled - "Maybe we can try to find others who have made an incursion to that place before? There has got to be others, right?"
Vorzu has been to the big folk towns before. They are more easily fooled than those of his own kind. This will be a great opportunity for wealth and power I'm sure. Hopefully Vorzu and his band of merry misfits recently renamed Diamonds in the Rough will see it the same way. he thinks to himself.
"Teryon...you are getting that look again when you start staring off into space and then come to your senses only to tell us stories of Lynessia, who was beautiful by any standards" Vorzu cheerfully reminds his companions of the many stories we have heard on the road to Eveningstar.
Vorzu reaches into his robes and pulls out a new piece of parchment that obviously is in his hands as the best reader of the group, and mumbles to himself, mmmpr...mpry...mpra..I lord Herrod Firedrop do hereby legally authorize the mercenary group known as the Diamonds in the Rough to be vested in royal authority to investigate the Haunted Halls...mmpr..mpry...mpra...once settled in, come and seek me out at Winters House." Vorzu rolls up the parchment and puts it back into safe keeping within his robes.
"I think our instructions are pretty clear. let's find an inn that we can house ourselves and then find our employer. And I think we can only do that if our treasurer has party funds to cover any inn keeper up front charges?" he seems to look around the party realizing that we haven't really elected a party loot manager. "Oh?! that brings up a point i mentioned on the road here. I reiterate my nomination of Posh to be the mercenary band treasurer." he says with a flare and overly grand bow towards Posh's direction.
"Now that that is settled", Vorzu seeks out the nearest fair maiden child. "Pardon me miss, but might I inquire as to where you might recommend overnight accommodations for someone like me and my merry band of misfits? perhaps someplace that could use some new entertainment or perhaps overflowing with generous merchants in need of assistance?" I've never really been good at interpreting the bigger races but the smaller forms of them seem to be worse at lying and more at truth telling than the taller onese.
Posh shakes his head, "it would be foolish to expect me to be good at such things."
The town is very small, but seem humble and hearty. Many other outlanders, probably caravaners or mercenaries. A few are definitely adventurers. THey do not hide there awkwardness, some do, and a few others seem to have no issue with blending in, but something makes them stick out.
"Wellllll...people do call me a fool sometimes and I can't says I blame them given I don't dress like the main stream. But I'm sure you will do fine Posh, don't be so hard on yourself."
"Um..well..uh..." the young woman says unsure of the strange party of seemingly well-to-do adventurers.
"The Lonesome Tankard is adventurer friendly,The Golden Unicorn usually houses more well-to-do folks, The Welcome Hand is a great middle-priced place, If you plan on staying more than a few nights there are the Teh Tehtyr Court and the Carpenter has rooms for rent. If you are here for just entertainment then I recommend The Low Lantern, it is also a Threate! Oh and the dances. I love to dance, Though a lowly apprentice like me doesn't get to dance too often. Oh don't forget to come to the Stables, I'm an apprentice animal trainer, Ask for Meg should you need grooming at the Stables near the Lonesome Tankard!!" She says as she scuttles off towards the very Stable she was talking about.
Posh looks to Vorzu, "didja get the answers you needed?"
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"I have a good feeling about this 'Welcome Hand' - Teryon commented to the others - "Seems friendly enough?"
"Well, Posh. i guess I did. The Welcome Hand seems to be a good place to start and if that doesn't work out, then i think the Lonesome Tankard is my second choice given the friendliness to adventurers and our first information contact is close by."
Vorzu will look about for clear signs to the Welcome Hand. and if none be found, will go and inquire for the nearest adventurer looking type for directions.
The Welcome Hand sign is seen, but aside from weathering, it stands in front of a building complex ruined by fire.
"Well, that idea tarnished rather quickly. The Lonesome Tankard then?"
"I wonder what happened here?" - the curious Teryon approached to peek inside.
"An excellent question! There may be some unspoilt food or drink in the basement, if we can reach it!"
It seems recent, a few streams of smoke still are seen
Teryon looks around.
The streets bustle with activity. However, most seem to be doing their day to day.
The young man approaches closer, trying to understand if there were victims, and/or if there are wounded nearby.
"Well...well...let's have a closer look." Vorzu will let Teryon lead to get closer but when he stops to peer around, Vorzu will start poking through the remains looking for clues or anything shiny that is too valuable to leave lying around.
Primarily for valuables... but beyond that, I'm looking for papers of information or hard substances that might not have been burned up.
Well, the structure has collapsed, obviously, the fire weakened it in places causing it to crumble and break under its weight. Now that it is still hot means it is a few days old. Some larger smoke-damaged tables, some mugs, and cutlery is seen but mostly nothing valuable can be seen without a thorough investigation.
"hmmm there isn't much here without a thorough investigation...well if no one in the town really much cares, let's see what we can find." Vorzu will begin to thoroughly investigate.
"To that other place then?"
"Agreed" - Teryin nodded at Posh - "None of our business anyway"
Vorzu keeps his head down and continues thoroughly investigating.
"Come then, shall we to The Lonesome Tankard."
Primarily for valuables... but beyond that, I'm looking for papers of information or hard substances that might not have been burned up.
Vorzu picks through the ashes, kicking over debris and reaching in every once in a while. "Hey looky here!" Under what seems to be a fallen over cupboard, Vorzu grabs the handle of a trident and pulls it from the rubble. "This seems to be useful. Posh, as the group's treasurer can you add this to our list of assets?" and will hand it to one of his fellow party members.
Vorzu goes back to digging for a few more mins. There's gotta be something in here that is useful. I am feeling lucky today! No sooner than that, Vorzu exclaims "Success!!" and pulls out a sword. "I think this will be put to good use in the Diamonds in the Rough mercenary company. Onward my friends!" Vorzu proudly carries his new sword. His sole possession except his bag of tricks. Today is going to be a good day.