And so it begins...
The pale flames at the fireplace dance as
fading white ghosts, their light and heat barely
needed or noticeable in this temperate summer
evening. The atmosphere is dry and empty, as
there are very few patrons at the inn; however,
their chatter is enough to give the place the
feel of a crowded hall. These days, it seems
everybody is talking about some thing or another
in Meadowvale…
Seallan the town minstrel is setting up his lute in a corner
of the inn, affably swapping good-natured jokes, tales and gossip.
Leah, the owner of the inn, walks around dispensing drinks, laughing
at the jokes, sitting on the laps of the most audacious
customers and adding her voice to a couple of song
choruses here and there.
Seallan, after completing a few well known ballads, promises to regail all
with the tale of the Dream of Aedhaine after he has had another drink or two...
Jack slides into the room, watching the crowd for any signs of too-fast movement or hands going to weapons. He pauses a moment, nods his head to the music and idles over to a table, putting his back to a corner where he can see both the minstrel and the door.
A young and rather buxom lass saunters over and smiles; "Welcome stranger. Are you stopping long enough for a drink? House special tonight is stone heart ale and we have a fine venison stew to go with it. It accompanies the music of our resident entertainer perfectly you know. I'm Lianne by the way; so what brings you here?"
A woman, robed and hooded in gray and a backpack, enters the Old Stone Inn. After she enters, she removes her hood to reveal a sharp human face with piercing green eyes and braided jet black hair; she eyes the patrons for the proprietor Leah.
She sits down at a table near the bar where she can see the entrance and the rest of the bar. She sets her feet on the chair across from her and waves over an available waitress when she can.
A young and rather buxom lass saunters over and smiles; "Welcome stranger. Are you stopping long enough for a drink? House special tonight is stone heart ale and we have a fine venison stew to go with it. It accompanies the music of our resident entertainer perfectly you know. I'm Lianne by the way; so what brings you here?"
"Well, my beautiful lass, I'm looking for a bit of adventure and a lot of loot, if you catch my meaning. I hear you all have a mountain full of both not too awful far from here; I mean to have my go." He pauses, pulls out a gold piece and lays it on the table. "I need a room and as much ale as this will get me."
Thavian has been sitting at the bar in this inn for 4 days looking for something. He's not sure what that something is, but he with the entrance of the last two patrons, he's seems sure it is soon to be fulfilled.
Amelia
"Welcome to The Stone. I'm Baressa; what will you be having?"
Jack
She takes the gold coin and hands you 10 silver in return.
"Thats more than enough for a room and ale good sir. And I believe your in luck. Our resident tale spinner,
seallan is set to regail us with one of his yarns... i think you may find it interesting..."
Thavian
over the last two days but he seems oddly out of place. It is obvious from his attire that he is an innitiate priest of
some sort, but the narrow faced youth looks decidedly nervous and keeps glancing in your direction as if trying to
pluck up courage to speak to you.
The resident bard,Seallan, steps onto the small wooden stage of the inn and makes himself comfortable on a stool. He plucks a few notes on his lute and begins a melodious background melody as he begins to spin a tale..
"It all began with a dream.
Not long ago, there was a great matriarch in the
Dragon Stone Clan, leader of three different tribes
and sister to all the great Morudhain chiefs of the
Dragon Stone Cairns. Her name was Aedhaine and
she was regarded as a mother by hundreds of our kin,
even though she had many children of her own. For
Aedhaine had the gift of vision – the spirits of her
people talked to her through her dreams, giving her
advice and warnings that she then imparted to her
children. As fortune would have it, it would be one of
these dreams that would mean Aedhaine’s downfall
– and that of all those that followed her."
Seallan pauses to take a drink, then continues...
"Aedhaine had nine natural children from her retinue
of five husbands. Her second son was called Aogarn,
which means born of unknown father in
the tongue of dragons. About the child’s father there
indeed are no tales; he resembled none of Aedhaine’s
husbands, plus there was an unnatural quality about
him, such that people said his father was no mortal
man but one of the spirits that haunted Aedhaine’s
dreams.
"Nearly a score winters ago, Aedhaine had a very
vivid nightmare about the great dragons of old, the
ancient wyrms her people revered thousands of years
ago before they turned towards gods. These dragons
were not mere deities to be worshipped and prayed to
but something far more solid and terrifying, for they
lived in the same world and breathed the same air as
the primitive Morudhain of past millennia. One day
the dragons disappeared and men were left alone to
create gods as a pale replacement of the great wyrms’
presence; at least, that was the message of Aedhaine’s
dream. The matriarch, as the whole Dragon Stone
clan before her, had grown worshipping the Old
Dragon, the Morudhain’s wyrm-god; therefore, she
was greatly impressed by the image of great dragons
treading the earth, with mortals paying homage to
them in those millennia of primal darkness. After her
dream, Aedhaine began to make frequent pilgrimages
to the Dragon Stone, her clan’s sacred sanctuary,
where the words of the Old Dragon had been written
millennia ago. For some reason, she always took
her son Aogarn, who counted nine winters at that
time, on these pilgrimages. There, mother and
son spent hours or even days on end studying the
writings on the monolith and discovering a whole
new meaning to it – the Dragon Stone poem was
a message, calling the Morudhain to worship
the dragons again. When she thought she
had understood the dream and the hidden
message, Aedhaine copied down the
poem in a smaller stone tablet, took it
with her and established it as the new
credo of her tribe. This was in fact
the start of a new religion, split from
the main worship of the Dragon Stone
Clan; after a few months, nearly half
the Dragon Stone Clan had joined
Aedhaine’s faith.
"Once Aedhaine’s followers numbered in the
thousands, she revealed the message of the stone
– the spirit of the Old Dragon still lived inside
Mount Moru and his followers had to live closer to
him; they had to return to the dark vault of his love.
After the great revelation, Aedhaine left everything
behind, including her five husbands and all of her
children – except for Aogarn, who had no father to
be left with – and established herself as leader of a
new clan, which she called the Moru Tribe. After it
was formed, Aedhaine led the entire tribe on a great
pilgrimage to Mount Moru, the ‘Mountain of Terror’
in our tongue, to repopulate it as their ancestors
had attempted centuries before. More than 2,000
Morudhain followed Aedhaine inside the Mount,
disregarding the ancient superstitions regarding it as
a cursed place. The Moru Tribe successfully settled
on the upper mountain levels and prospered there for
a few decades, building underground farms and even
a working silver mine near the mount entrance. Two
winters past, however, the dream assaulted Aedhaine
again and she was compelled to seek the Old Dragon
in the depths of the mountain, to which her entire tribe
followed her once more. Here ends what knowledge
mortal men may have about Aedhaine and her Moru
Tribe…"
With that, Seallan steps off the stage and heads back to the bar.
"Gods I need a drink after that!"
Jack follows the minstrel to the bar and slides two silver to the barman. "I'll stand this man a drink."
He turns to the minstrel, "What more do you know about this place? I hear there's treasure and danger in there; I aim to have both!"
Tukonen prances into the bar, he dusts off his shoulders with his lace gloves. A snear greets a peasant who eyes him. He drops a few silver coins into a waitress's hands and gives her his coat. "Take me to my seat he exclaims". Tukonen is stunned, when he is not seated, he is unsure wht to do next in such a boorish establishment. He waddles to the bar and hefts his girth onto a stool. he eyes the bartender and asks for the finest wine under 10 GP.
Thavian approaches a young man he's seen at the bar the last few days. "That's quite the story. I wouldn't mind seeing how much of it is true. Name's Thavian. What's your?"
Amelia looks over the barmaid and says: "Baressa, could i get some turkey or chicken in a broth or sauce along with water to refill my waterskin? Additionally, I am looking for the proprietor Leah; I have some questions about this place and the land beyond."
As the bard Saellan begins move toward the stage to weave his tale, Amelia takes out her parchment and inkpen, copying the story for posterity and study later. She is writing quickly and without much problem. When Saellan is complete, she checks the document from her memory and pens Saellan's name as the originator.
Jack follows the minstrel to the bar and slides two silver to the barman. "I'll stand this man a drink."
He turns to the minstrel, "What more do you know about this place? I hear there's treasure and danger in there; I aim to have both!"
Jack
Tukonen prances into the bar, he dusts off his shoulders with his lace gloves. A snear greets a peasant who eyes him. He drops a few silver coins into a waitress's hands and gives her his coat. "Take me to my seat he exclaims". Tukonen is stunned, when he is not seated, he is unsure wht to do next in such a boorish establishment. He waddles to the bar and hefts his girth onto a stool. he eyes the bartender and asks for the finest wine under 10 GP.
Tuloken
Thavian approaches a young man he's seen at the bar the last few days. "That's quite the story. I wouldn't mind seeing how much of it is true. Name's Thavian. What's your?"
Thavian
He fidgets nervously.
"I was wondering, sir, Thavian... the priests over at the Last Shrine are looking for volunteers for a dangerous assignment. I notice your intrest in the tales of Moun Moru. Would you consider speaking with my superior. He may well have a proposal that just might peak your curiosity...?"
Amelia looks over the barmaid and says: "Baressa, could i get some turkey or chicken in a broth or sauce along with water to refill my waterskin? Additionally, I am looking for the proprietor Leah; I have some questions about this place and the land beyond."
Amelia
Profile is created
I am assuming I have Improved Unarmed Strike, to be proficient with Irori's favored weapon (unarmed strike).
I will also be using Spell Compendium since it is authorized.
Amelia will rise from her seat and move to the bar where the red haired woman, Leah, was noted to be.
She will wait for a pause in the conversation with the fat man and ask: "Pardon me, I am Amelia of Irori and I seek information about the lands beyond here, Mount Moru. I assume the bard would know about such things, but I seek all possible knowledge of the area before I take my pilgrimage. Also, is there anyone already venturing to that area that I can join with, there is safety in numbers. I would be willing to assist you here or elsewhere for said information, via healing or giving information about almost any subject you can think of. There is always a price for what you seek; or so I have been told."
"New, yes, I doubt I will stay long" Eyeing the bottle and sniffing the aroma, "This will do for now, it is a decent vintage, I am impressed you know your wine her, do you care for a glass" Tukonen pours himself a glass with elegant grace, and offers the lady one as well, "I do not suppose you have any fine tobbaco to go with this?" The fat man's jowls jiggle with his query.
"Tell me bard: do you know of anyone who might have a map of the mountain? Any hints of what lies ahead?" Jack drains his glass and turns to the room, pitching his voice louder. "Is there anyone here with enough guts to join me in taking on the Mountain of Money out there? Anyone with a yen for danger, who laughs boldly in the face of blood curdling terror?" Jack interrupts his otherwise fine speech by belching loudly, then grins and motions for another glass.
Amelia chuckles slightly at the mans boisterous exhibit, thinking to herself that will only attract the lowest types of people for the money and the insane ones for the "adventure".
Amelia will listen intently to the bard Saellan, trying to overhear anything of use prior to confronting him when he is free.
Listen check on the bard:
Profile is created
I am assuming I have Improved Unarmed Strike, to be proficient with Irori's favored weapon (unarmed strike).
I will also be using Spell Compendium since it is authorized.
Tukonen
Leah brings forth a well used suede pouch from beneath the bar. Opening it, an aromatic fragrance wafts forth filling your nostrils.
"I think you may find this quite pleasent...on the house of course. It comes from the dwarfs of Stonehold".
Amelia
"And yes my dear, that's a fair question. I do believe that the young priest at the end of the bar there, talking to that other gentleman may be of interest to you"
Leah inclines her head in the direction of Thavian.
Jack
Seallan turn to you, his almost permanent smile gone. With a raised voice, so that the whole inn can hear he says, "All I can tell you is this; Mount Moru is a craggy peak of whitish grey rock in the middle of the bleak country known round here as the Morudhain lands. The word ‘Morudhain’ means ‘from the fearsome place’ in the local language.
Doubtlessly the fearsome place folklore and legend refer to is Mount Moru itself. It's also given the names ‘Ashen Peak’ and ‘Dragon Tooth’ by natives and visitors. It is universally agreed by most of my peers that Mount Moru is a place of terror and danger, though the nature of
such danger is not clear to most people – it tends to be more a matter of instinct, of people avoiding the mountain without apparent reason, like knowing something is amiss but not exactly what.
It is not only because of Mount Moru’s threatening looks; it is something else – something that inhabits the base of the spine of every creature that has lived under the mountain’s shadow long enough. I would have to agree of course that the general appearance of Mount
Moru would be reason enough to mistrust the place; deep gorges, craggy slopes, narrow ravines where a loose step could doom the best explorer to a slow and painful death at the bottom of a lost chasm in the
middle of the badlands.
Oh, and the howling of the wind of course; that maddening shriek through the thin, tall peaks, which always gives the impression
that the place is haunted.
I should stop here and explain that when I say ‘haunted’, I do not mean the place is inhabited by ghosts, though it doubtlessly must be; rather, Mount Moru’s howling winds and its whitish shroud give the impression the peak itself is a kind of wraith or mummy; desiccated, dead, yet full of hate and dark power. It is not Mount Moru that is
haunted, it is the whole region – and Mount Moru is the ghost haunting it.
So,my friend; I admire your brevado, but be warned. Moru is not something to be taken lightly."
Seallan glances round the room and then sits and reclaims his drink.
Amelia says "Thank you" to Leah and does a quick curtsie while saying "If you'll excuse me."
Amelia will move to the man pointed out by Leah while wary of the other man standing next to him. She also takes note of the bard's warning mentally and will write out the important points at a later time.
Amelia will approach the young priest
With that, Amelia continues standing, waiting for his response.
Jack grins at the warning and nods his head, seemingly agreeing with the bard. "Oh I take nothing lightly, talespinner, I just know my own worth. And no rocky ghost is going to stop ME. If the locks on the vault of the mayor of Stillhaven didn't stop me, no hunk of shale is going to do any better!"
He nods a dismissal to the bard and takes a seat at the bar. "Another cup, my dear purveyors of mirth and drink!" He sits down and begins juggling small rocks from his pocket.
Jack grins at the warning and nods his head, seemingly agreeing with the bard. "Oh I take nothing lightly, talespinner, I just know my own worth. And no rocky ghost is going to stop ME. If the locks on the vault of the mayor of Stillhaven didn't stop me, no hunk of shale is going to do any better!"
He nods a dismissal to the bard and takes a seat at the bar. "Another cup, my dear purveyors of mirth and drink!" He sits down and begins juggling small rocks from his pocket.
A smile breaks across the bards lips. "Oh so that was your doing in Stillhaven? Very nice!"
"I'll deny it all, but that man kept a woman's underthings in there. Underthings that were three sizes too big for his wife. Looked like they might fit a woman HIS size, though. I'm just sayin'."
"Well Rann, as they say, 'Take me to your leader'"
"I'll deny it all, but that man kept a woman's underthings in there. Underthings that were three sizes too big for his wife. Looked like they might fit a woman HIS size, though. I'm just sayin'."
Jack
"Well Rann, as they say, 'Take me to your leader'"
"It would be a pleasure. But...are you alone? What I mean is, do you have any associates of a like mind"
The young priest scans the room hopefully, trying to catch an eye.
Do not forget young Amelia approaching the young priest in the corner, could be Thavian or the NPC
Tukonen enjoys the fine tobacco, never having a dwarven blend before he enjoys it quite emensly. His ears tuen their attention to tthe man talking to the bard, at his "Who is with me request" Tukonen chuckles and figures why not with a merry chuckle he exclaims "I'll go!" He starts to think, mayne the wine is talking for him.
Thavian looks around while considering the priest's words. "I believe I see a few candidates in the inn right now. Perhaps the young lady headed this way may be interested."
"See that, talespinner! This fine robust man has guts and an eye for adventure!" Jack grabs up his pint and stalks over the finely dressed man. "And who else will join us in conquering that bastard mountain out there?!"
Amelia says "Thank you" to Leah and does a quick curtsie while saying "If you'll excuse me."
Amelia will move to the man pointed out by Leah while wary of the other man standing next to him. She also takes note of the bard's warning mentally and will write out the important points at a later time.
Amelia will approach Thavian:
In a low tone: "My name is Amelia of Irori and I was told by Leah that you are actively pursuing an engagement to venture into the area of Mount Moru. If it is true, know that I do not seek fame nor glory, though funds for Irori are always needed. I seek only to investigate the area myself for the purposes of discovery and understanding the history and its true impact on the region. Whether there be supernatural forces or the like, I am prepared to deal with them. I can offer healing as well as ways to discover truths or knowledge about things that are hidden or unknown. If all is acceptable, the one thing I request is that items of historal value or artifacts uncovered are not to be destroyed, unless absolutely necessary. I seek to preserve everything I can."
With that, Amelia continues standing, waiting for his response.
A faint smile crosses the young priests face. He looks faintly embarrased, as if he is not used to being the centre of attention.
"Oh my; I didn't ecpect such a responce as this. This is good, this is very good."
He finishes his drink and says; "Well when you are all ready I suggest that you make your way to our temple. Its about an hours travel on foot, on a ridge north of town. Our priests there provide healing,
spellcasting and ceremonial services to any traveller,
at the standard price. They also sell equipment, mostly religious items such as holy water and symbols but also basic travelling gear such as backpacks and rope. But most importantly they also offer advice to anyone travelling towards the Moru Country . When you arrive, High Priest Deovain will tell you more."
In a low tone to the priest and Thavian:
What are your names, by the way? I am Amelia, as I have stated.
If we were to need a place to sleep for the night would that be available at the temple or would it have to be here? What I truly need in the way of supplies is parchment, preferably an as yet unwritten tome or bound pages; lastly one of those magic bags that hold anything you need in safety.
I feel I must inform you that it is my intention to, having recovered items of significance, be it penned or otherwise, to copy all of it twice for each church. The originals would be sealed away for safekeeping."
Amelia will refill her waterskin, gather and check all her belongings and be ready for if they wish to go as a group. If not, she will meet them at the temple. She will try to make contact with High Priest Deovain as soon as possible, for information about everything having to do with the venture.
To Amelia.
"While two is certainly better than one, I feel we may need a couple more companions if we are to venture into the Moru country. That rather loud fellow seems to be interested in exploring, maybe we should talk to him. The name is Thavian by the way, and it is an honor to meet you."
Rann nods to Amelia and replies
Amelia
To Thavian:
To the priest:
Amelia will look around the bar for any suitable looking people, she will then mount the bar itself and proclaim loud enough to garner attention:
"Excuse me...we seek some people for a trip into the Moru country, those of hardy stature and world wise are most suited but if you have skills that help you survive and you can apply that to others it would be suitable. Please see the priest there (pointing at Rann) as he is the collaborator of this venture. No treasure hunters please."
When she is complete, she will dismount the bar and wait for any results. She will also clean the area where she was standing on the bar.
Jack slaps the plump man on the shoulder and nods toward the serious woman. He saunters over, bowing a bit and spilling some beer on the floor.
"Madam, I can assure you, I don't seek treasure. I FIND it. But you look like a woman who needs a man around who can keep his head about him in a pinch. I happen to be that man. I'll graciously join you and I think my good friend here (gestures to the bloated man) might be of a mind as well. To the future!" He raises his mug and drains it in a salute to the adventures to come.
Tukonen raises his glass to Jack at the gestures made to him. "I can be of use, I am a learned man and knowledge is my weapon, when that fails I hit it with this" He lightly taps his glaive. "I would be honored to brave the mountain, treasure is not what I am after, I seek lore" Tukonen takes a long pull on the dwarven tobacco and sips his wine, "Of course that is if you will allow me into your merry band"
Sense Motive check on the loud man and the fat man:
Amelia will return the bow with a quick curtsie
To Jack:
If you have a knack for finding things hidden it would be quite the boon. Also to remove wards and the like that usually hide them, I can do so but i would rather save my efforts for when they are needed.
Keeping ones head is always a good thing, for without it everything would be much more difficult.
What is it that you do exactly? I can tell you what I think you would do but it is better to know it from the source.
To Tukonen:
I am Amelia of Irori, what is your name and from whence do you hail?
Do understand that I intend to preserve as much as possible. I foresee possible conflict later when it comes time to determine who will possess the actual items or tomes, we will resolve that when it happens. I will make copies of all written knowledge, time permitting, while there or afterwards if we are able.
"Whispering conspiratorially to Tukonen"-Basically I live to uncover knowledge and share it with the world, no matter the cost.
What is it that you do exactly? You do not appear to be one who would risk themselves.
"I cannot speak for everyone hear, but I would not have issue with this arrangement."
Amelia looks at the priest: "Will this be enough people for your mission?"
Absently she says "Coming together so well, is this providence?"
OOC: Amelia would be speaking in a low tone with well thought out and fluid speach patterns, as it is natural for her
OOC-Amelia took 20 to conceal her dagger, spot DC 23
Amelia will return the bow with a quick curtsie
To Jack:
** spoiler omitted **
"Myself, madam? I am No-One of consequence," Jack bows theatrically, "My name is Jack Ketch and I am but a humble piemaker who seeks to better his lot in life through adventure and bravery. Oh, and I occasionally dabble in locks and odd puzzles, no more than that. But I have been useful in my time, in diverse matters."
(Bluff: 1d20+5=7) Oops. Oh well, Jack's drunk, but competent.
Sense motive check on Jack Ketch's reply:
To Jack:
You wish to have your secrets, no harm would appear to come from that.
As for me, I've been cloistered all these years and finally getting a chance outside. (sarcastically toned)
I am curious about the ways of roguish types, it seems to suit me better. Too bad you don't look or act the part or I would inquire about learning the basics, which would of course require a transaction. I understand that is the goal of those types.