As you look around the town, the signs of the sickness are obvious. There have only been a few deaths to the plague, but the death toll is only likely to rise.
Just about the only topic of conversation in the town is the plague, with the residents left with prayer as their only option. Prayer they don't get sick, and prayer that their loved ones recover.
Magpie wakes feeling cold, stiff and with an ominous tickle in his throat. Whilst cooking his usual rough porridge he tries to work out if he's heard of or encountered the disease before
Telling Vorax to Stay at his makeshift camp[ooc] Animal Handling (1d20+8=23)(for once the bad tempered creature does what he's asked), Magpie heads into town in search of aid.
He'll spend time in all the main area of town looking for information on a cure, or someone who might know a cure. He'll try not to come into physical contact with anyone and keep an eye out for others who may be infected but not know it. If there are obivious crowds which are 'out of place' he'll go join 'em.
Stymied after 3 hours of effort Magpie will recuperate at The Sitting Duck drinking mead, sitting outside brooding over his misfortune and wondering where to go for assistance next.
If he see's anyone he's aquainted with he'll hail them in a croaky voice:
'Hold. If you're not sick don't come too close. I am. Any news of a cure ? This is beyond my skill as a healer and I have work to do.'
Kai Renyu steps into Jak'a'napes, having been told about the establishment by a woodsman he met on the ferry across the River Foam.
In accented common, the foreign warrior announces his intentions, saying, "I seek a bed to sleep on. Who is the owner here?"
I sit in the corner of the Sitting Duck, shivering slightly. My eyes warily dart around the room while I cup a mug of steaming cider in my hands, trying to absorb some warmth from it. ”Where am I?” I think to myself as I look at the other patrons. Where did I come from?” I close my eyes for a moment as the nightmares of the past, of strange creatures, foul and unnatural kidnapping me from an all but forgotten home. ”Home. Where was home?” I ask myself, sipping from the steaming mug. I have brief glimpses of memory, of running through an orchard but more than that I remember nothing except for snatches of nightmarish memories of a dark room and the alien creatures changing me, changing me into something closer to them. My true memory starts only a few weeks back, when I found myself wandering in a dark forest. I found my way into this town and now here I sit and I feel as though I’m coming down with something. I pull out my stained pad of paper and a stub of a pencil, idly sketching something as my mind wanders through my remnants of memory.
Estra will be attempting to help as many people as he can with his healing including himself. He has taken up his practice in a small barn behind the Jak a’napes. (heal check for himself 1d20+6=15 and others in town 1d20+6=23 http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=1257985 if you need more heal checks for others in town let me know) I know that I am coming down with the disease and is feeling tired but with my strength in Sarenrae I will push on and heal this town of it affliction as best that I can. I pull on my dark cloak and go into the tavern and try to get as close to the hearth as I can to get warm and try to get some warm food into me to keep up my strength to help the town.
A very tall man with wavy brown hair down to his shoulders walks into town leading a stubborn mule loaded down with furs and pelts. The man wears a black bear skin cloak pulled close to him as he notices the unusual number of coughing people in town. Thinking to himself, 'I had best make this trip quick before I catch what these townsfolk are in for'.
He heads over to the Goose'n'Gander, the local general store with the only gnome in town who will probably try to steal his furs with a smile and a sharp whit. Greywulf knows he's not the brightest guy around and watches ole Brickasnurd Hildrinsocks quick tongue less he find himself outside with just a few coppers.
"Hey Brick, I've got some more skins for ya. And say, what is with all these people hacking and coughing?" as he feels a slight tickle in the back of his throat forming.
Magpie: Although your attempts to locate a cure in town have not turned up any new information, being a local, you do know when people are sick, they really only have two options in town, they pay a visit to either the local Cleric of Iomedae (Lady Cirthana), or the local Herbalist (Laurel).
Kai: A rotund, red faced man answers you from behind the bar "Where you from Stranger? We got plenty of beds if you got the coin." Smiling, he looks you up and down, and continues"If I am any judge of a man, I suppose you'll also be after some grub and some grog as well?"
Arianna: As you sit in the Sitting Duck sipping your cider, you see a small, wiry, wild looking man, come int, consciously avoiding everyone, and not looking to well. He takes his mead, and retreats to a table outside.
Estra: As you head inside after helping the locals as much as you can, the owner is busy chatting to an exotic looking (and as you get closer, you realise he has an accent to match) young man.
Greywulf: Brick strikes up a friendly conversation (as he does everytime you enter his store). "Great to see you Greywulf. How are things in the Forest?" He begins to inspect your furs, and he furrows his brown, and sighs. "I can only give you 12 gold for the lot. Sorry, but with this plague going around, not to sure when, or even if, I'll be able to move them. I've still got a couple left over from the last lot you sold me."
"I'm not exactly sure what the go is with everyone being sick, but the Town Constabulary has banned us from using the spring on the edge of town. Apparently, it by drinking the water that people got sick."
Kai appraises the man for a second, then speaks.
"I come from a land far from this one. It is a place called Minkai. My legs have carried me far this day, and I could use some water to drink and food to eat. A bed would also be good."
Kai reaches into his coin pouch and pulls out a gold coin marked with Minkainese symbols.
"This land accepts gold, no?"
"Gold is Gold." the Bartender replies as he takes the coin from your hand. "Minkai hey, we don't get many from there around here." He says in what must qualify as the understatement of the year. My son will show you to your room. Or would you rather eat first?"
Magpie sits for a while brooding over what he should do when he remembers Laurel. With an explosive sneeze he jumps to his feet and leaves the vicinity of the Sitting Duck in his usuall rush.
As he travels to the Herbalist he'll stop to check on the health and attitude of any domestic animal he see muttering "None check the Beasts".
When he gets to the Herbalist's, which I'm assuming will be crowded, he'll wait patiently, stifling sneezes, trying to listen in to any conversation being had, especially between Laurel and he 'patients'.
If anyone in the queue isn't sick or, at least, doesn't have the sickness he'll tell them "You're not sick. Don't stand with those that are !"
Greywulf thanks the gnome and tucks his gold pieces into his coin purse, and making sure it is securely fastened. He heads over to the town stable and puts his stubborn mule up for a few days. After that he heads over to the Jak'n'napes to get a bit of food. Greywulf's stomach is starting to feel a bit quesey though so he might just sip on some ale and munch on some bread, two things he has not had in a while.
I walk over to the dark haired man in the corner with the strange sword who looks like he can take care of himself talking with the innkeeper.
“I am known as Estra Laik a cleric of Sarenrae looking for people to help spread the word and strength of the true goddess. I have heard of your kind before a warrior who seeks perfection in the blade. I am here in Falcon’s Hollow to look for my way in the world and bring glory and honor to myself, Sarenrae, and even if they deny me my clan. Shall we sit down break bread and drink and discuss if our goals are aligned.”
I walk back over to a table in the back attempting to hide the disease that I know is starting to affect me.
DM: How long are we expecting to stay in town?
Kai looks over at the dwarf with an appraising eye. "A cleric, you say? Hmm... My knowledge of the gods is lacking, so forgive me if I do not know what this... Sarenrae is about. I have spent my years in constant study of the sublime way of the sword. However, you are welcome at my table."
Kai looks back to the innkeeper, saying with a curt bow, "A plate of food and some drink for my friend and I, if you please." He then walks over to the dwarf went to, removes his sword in its sheath from his belt and leans it against the table before taking a seat. "I am called Kai Renyu, student of the Way of Perfection. My discipline requires the combination of the Diamond Mind and the Iron Heart, which are melded together to create the Perfect Body. The Way of Perfection requires the student to be like the diamond and like the iron: unmoving in the face of adversity, rigid and unwilling to let the winds of change affect the mind and the spirit."
Kai you say, Sarenrae is known as The Dawnflower, the Healing Flame, the Everlight, Sarenrae brings warmth and radiance to all souls who allow her in. Those with compassionate hearts and kind intentions turn to Sarenrae as both the source and protector of all things good.
But alas the world is not filled with good and sometimes the world needs the sword as well as the Healing Flame. Just as the devil needs the demon we to shall need each other. Sarenrae has drawn us together at this time in this place. We will need to follow our hearts as well as our sword. You say you need perfection in blade and to be unyielding like diamond and iron. But friend I am here to balance you because iron can be hard and strong, unless it is tempered it is brittle and will be broken quickly upon the first obstacle. Let me show you the way of the light and be your healing temper to your diamond and steel. I am the light and you the shadow let us find our valor together. What say you?
Just a side note you all might want to check this out it is great
http://llbbl.com/data/RPG-motivational/
"You speak with learned wisdom. I shall contemplate your offer, but for now, let us eat."
Kai runs his hand through his hair as a look of solemn thought passes across his visage.
Suddenly, a thought grips him, and he breaks the silence without warning. "I noticed many people afflicted by sickness while walking through town. Do you know of this, wise Estra?"
I have seen the sickness ad have attempted to help the people in this town. I feel that there is something causing the sickness that is unnatural for the whole town to be affected. I feel that it may have started with me I am feeling chilled. I think the affliction is not caused by contact but by something outside. I think we need to look for the real reason that this is happening.
I look for any reaction to my telling him of my affliction and if he looks like he would be interested in finding the source.
We lose our GM?
We lose our GM?
Magpie: The animals you pass by seem to be unaffected, it appears the sickness only affects humanoids.
When you arrive at the herbalist, the herbalist, there is a pretty long line. As you scan the line, you can tell that not everyone (in fact most of them) in the line is actually sick. From the smatterings of conversation you pick up, you hear those who are sick (or especially have family who are) complaining that the remedy Laurel is offering isn't really doing much for their loved ones, they seem to be getting worse.
Estra and Kai: Just as Estra finishes speaking, the Barman (Jak) arrives with two plates of his legendary cinnamon-crusted flap jacks. As he places the two plates on your table, he says "Don't worry, the sickness is not your fault. Half the town have it. I think it has something to do with Brookman's well, as just this morning, they banned anyone from drawing any more water from it."
Greywulf: After seeing to your mule, when you enter Jak'n'napes, you see the Jak serving his delicious flapjacks to a couple f exotic characters, who you haven't seen around town before.
Arianna: Magpie's sneeze startles you out of you contemplation, and you look up in time to see him jump up, and rush off. As he leaves you hear him muttering something about Laurel, and checking if the beasts are also sick.
Now you have been startled back to reality, you notice a young girl (about 5 or so) tugging at your sleeve, and realise she has been there for a few minutes. As your gaze settles on her, she asks. "Um... excuse me miss, but whatcha drawen?"
I look at the child somewhat uneasily and say "Just a dream. A memory." as I close the notebook and stifle a sneeze. "Tell me, is there anyone who knows how to cure the illness that's been going around?"
Magpie will spen his time in the queue trying to persuade those who are not infected to stay away from those that are. He'll also keep his ears open for any sign of an alternate (effective) cure which doesn't involve going running to a priest.
When (or if) he gets to talk to Laurel:
"I'm Magpie. I'm sick. How do I cure myself ? They say your Cures are not working."
Arianna: The little girl looks back up at you and says "I like dreams." Her mother then rushes over just as you are asking your second question. "Come one Beth, don't bother the lady." Then turning to you she says "If you are sick, the best person to see is probably Laurel, just down the street."
As you leave the Sitting Duck, you quickly spot what, from the long line of people out the front, must be Laurels, and you see the man who startled you out of your contemplation join the line just in front of you.
Magpie: Even though you are effective in persuading those who are sick to avoid those who aren't everyone in the queue reckons they are sick, so they don't really listen to you. Just a few minutes after you join the line, a thin, exhausted looking women joins the line right behind you.
As Greywulf enters into the Jak'n'napes he notice Jak serving something interesting that he calls "flapjacks". As Greywulf walks by him he says, I will take an order of those Jak, and something to quench this thirst... and cough. Greywulf acknowledges the two strangers in passing and heads over to the bar.
Magpie now ignores those who he tried to advise muttering "Nature helps those that help themselves"
If the woman who's joined the queue looks infected He'll ask "So you've got it too ? The Cure's here don't seem to work. Get more sleep - you'll feel better."
"Thank you." I say and put my pad in my back pack and walk onto the street, headed to the que.
In response to the strange man's question I say "I get plenty of sleep. I find its not as refresing as you make it out to be. Are you a healer?
"I have some skill. Not enough for this sickness though. I spend most of my time in the woods."
After another sudden, explosive sneeze.
"What do you do ?"
"I am a wanderer, in search of my past and future. Specifically I channel arcane magic and bend it to will. And you? You don't seem like most of the people in this town." I say, fidgeting with the straps of my backpack.
"I live in the woods. I take the wood the trees no longer grieve for and turn it into images of the angry spirit of the forest."
(He produces several little carved figurines of 'forest spirits', all wide eyed and angry)
"People sometimes buy these from me in the Market and I use the gold to buy the things I cannot make.
I have some magic of my own, but mine comes from the spirits or the woods I try to protect. I believe the manipulation or arcane powers is dangerous - every spark of magic used is another tiny part of your soul being used up ! Better to get your power from the world around. Still at least you invest some of yourself in what you do. You are not a scribbler in books !
He look impatiently down the line, frustated with waiting. "Recently I have been helping those who exploit the woods to redress the wrongs they have done. But there is more to do and I don't have time to be sick !"
Suddenly realising what the woman had said he asks: "How did you lose your past ?"
"I am not a scribbler in books, my connection to magic is more...primal than that. I awoke one day, perhaps a year ago, in a forest far from here with mere fragments of my past. Since then magic has coursed through my veins, from where it comes I do not know." I say, tentativley extending one pale, long fingered hand to Magpie "My name is Arianna."
Magpie looks at Arianna's delicate hand and then examins his his own cracked and dirty paw and with the ghost of a smile hides it slowly in the depths of his cloak. "Badger Piss" he informs."I'm Magpie."
"A pleasure to meet you, Magpie." I say as the line inches forward. "Where do you call home? What brings you to this remote outpost of civilization?"
"I don't like people. I sleep in the woods outside town. I'm here to help the loggers help the forest." Adding with a grim smile, " they don't know that yet."
The smile becomes a fit of sneezes and Magpies eye's show themselves to be shot with red. "People. Too many people. And where you have too many people you usually get sickness ! UGH !"
I shiver, feeling strangely chilled, and nod "I too dislike large crowds. I don't exactly fit in." I say with a ghost of smile.
I reply to Jak that may be but there are strange things happening around here. What have you been told of the forest around here.
Kai nods at Jak and takes a bite out of the pancakes. "These... flapjacks, as you call them... they are... quite pleasing to my taste." The foreign warrior seems to be absorbed in eating the flapjacks, and continues eating as Estra and the barkeep talk, listening all the while. After he finishes, he looks up. "Perhaps there is someone in town that knows something about a cure? A healer of some sort, perhaps.?"
Magpie and Arianna: You've made some progress along the line, there is now about 20 people or so between you and the door. It's moving slowly, but it is moving.
Kai and Estra: Jak nods at Kai's complement "Thanks lad," then continues with a smile, "I try my best."
Turning to answer Estra he says "I have heard many stories about the forest. Though I'm not sure exactly how many of them I believe. Many adventurers have braved the vale, but few of them are ever seen from again. You would be best to avoid it as much as you can."
"Most people round here head over to see old Laurel when their ill, and she usually does a pretty good job of helping them out."
"Excuse me, I have another customer, sing out if I can do anyhting else to help."
Greywulf: Jak finishes chatting to the two strangers, and heads back into the Kitchen, returning shortly with a nice plate of cinnamon crusted flapjacks, and a tall glass of cider. "Yeah, there's a few people in town with come down with something. Hope they find a cure for it soon."
Kai turns to Estra. "This woman - Laurel - might be able to help you with your sickness. Perhaps we should visit her?"
Stifling back a cough Greywulf asks Jak if he knows of anyone that might be able to cure this new sickness. He then begins to devour the tasty flapjacks.
Thanks my friend and I will go there after we eat and see if there is anything she can do for me. I have a suggestion, stay here and see if you can find any more information of the strange happenings in the woods around here maybe we can find our own opportunity
I stifle a cough and another shiver as the line inches forward, briefly I consider blasting the other people aside. No better to wait and not draw too much attention to myself.
Arianna: Thank you for stifling that urge, even if it was only to avoid drawing attention to yourself.
Greywulf: Jak replies "Well, like most illnesses, the best place to start is probably Laurel, down the road, I've heard her muttering about being absolutely flat out these past few days."
Kai and Estra: You arrive at Laurel's, to see the line still about a dozen people outside the shop, and two rather raggedly, skinny looking humans (Magpie, and Ariann). Although you soon see they both are sick as well, you get the distinct impression even when well neither of them look particularly "healthy".
Arianna and Magpie: as the line slowly inches forward, you are joined in the line by a rather exotic looking Human (Kai), and his Dwarf companion (Estra). Obviously neither of them are from around here, and you soon see that the Dwarf is also suffering, just like you two are.
No one else has joined the line since you did earlier today. It seems it is well known how busy Laurel is, and most people make sre they are in the line nice and early.
About 10 minutes later, all four of you are joined by a massive man with long, hair and a bear skin cloak (Greywulf).
I eye the newcomers curiously, making sure not to make eye contact or even let them know that I'm watching.
Kai notes the ragged-looking humans in front of him and turns to Estra. "It seems many in this town are seeking this Laurel's help..."
Overhearing Kai's comment.
"Most of them do not have the sickness."
I turn to Magpie and ask "Then why are they in our way?"