Very good friend, have a seat at any table you like there are a few near the hearth open. I will have your food and Ale sent over right away. If you would like to get out of your wet clothes first Here's keys to your rooms #3 right up the stairs 2nd door on your right. #4 across the hall from #3, and #5's right next to 3. He sets the keys on the bar, and calls back Luecks order to the kitchen. Would you like a tankard, or a pitcher good sir?
5 silver a night sir, and that includes the bath and supper. Laundry service is 2 silver, and I can run you a tab on the rest if you wish, or you can pay as you go.Jak smiles happy to have customers that are new. So, you fellows in town looking for work, or passing through the area?
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"Most definitely looking for work, so that I can continue to enjoy the comforts of this fine establishment," Nikolae says with a smile, as he hands the proprietor a gold coin. "Put this towards my tab, if you would, and I will definitely take advantage of the offer of a good cleaning for myself and my clothing."
When reaching into his pouch, he makes a brief show of dislodging a few copper and silver, as if having to search to find a golden coin, as he does not wish to convey the impression that he has gold coins to spare...
Certainly good sir, You don't look like the Lumber-jacking type might I inquire as to what type of work you do? If it is not to bold of course. He hands Nikolae a tankard of Dark ale. Sliding a Three Rivers to Lueck.
AAremeth made it finally to Jaks and meandered to the left of the entrance. He wanted to drip dry a bit, there was a bit of chill, but it wasn't going any where anytime soon, and he had a mind to ponder what exactly the chains meant. would they be warded? he should've done a detect magic on the darn thing. ah phooie, if he saw the sherriff again he'd have to warn him. but if they could find some other hardy folk inside, well they might handle this bit of nonsense tonight. that might convince him to stay the night and leave in the morning. though he'd still feel better on the move than not.
He took a look around to see what other Falcon's hallow folk were out tonight, and then a peek through the window.
For the moment the road seems empty. there are a few folks in the market grabbing the makings for an evening meal, but no one is headed this way. When you peek in you see a couple of men in chain shirts at the bar talking with Jak he gives them each a tankard, partaking in his favorite pass time cultivating news no doubt. There is a gnome standing a bit back from the bar gazing off in the distance obviously lost in thought. A raven perched atop his staff looks more interested in whats going on at the bar then what is preoccupying his master. The smell of Georgina's fresh bread assaults your nose making your mouth water.
Well Chainmail and familiars if that didn't shout here to save your town...maybe he'd have to see if he couldn't pay them, though if the town was being saved perhaps he could see about raising some funds from the town, if nothing else he had enough gear made at the shop to keep most adventurers in his employee. but he'd have to see what the sherrif had to say about it and perhaps even the lumber barons would be greatful to have their employees back at the chop. he ducked back out onto the porch to wait for Harn and Trevor, might as well arrive as a group.
As the rain shoots through their bones, Trevor and Harn keep a quick pace. They long for ale and stew, but mostly for warmth and companionship. "After tonight, it's gonna be a few days of rain and cold. If the plague doesn't get us, it will be the common cold! Ah! Here we finally are. Aaremeth! Good to see you! Join us as the omen finally look favorably upon our favorite village's destiny!"
Trevor's smile wanes a little as he scans through the crowd, looking for newcomers, but also for the usual troublemakers. Kreed's crew might be around. I will probably get the usual polite comments. Priestess Shana's words on valor and on where true courage lies echo through his mind. Rafan be with me to support the insults as I become anew.
Perception:
Sense Motive:
"My good Jak! We are STARVING, and we are THIRSTY! Do you have some of that legendary stew tonight? Me and my good friends Harn and Aaremeth would love to share the wamrth of your hearth on this damp night."
Diplomacy:
Lueck will slide two gold over to the proprietor. "I'll gladly take the room and the laundry service later. I feel at home already. I've been known to buy the odd drink for others, so I want to make sure you have a stout tab for me in advance." With a friendly smile to the prioprietor. "We are brand new in town, fresh off the road, though clearly we still carry some of the road with us. Are you at liberty now before the dinner rush to tell us a little of the prospects in town? Or of this lumber consortium that I've been hearing about?"
In a genuinely friendly effort to glean some information from Jak, will either of these skills help?
Diplomacy
Sense Motive
Harn, matching Trevor's quick pace, looks forward to the warmth and comfort of Jak's n' Napes. Arriving at the inn, the lumberjack simply nods a greeting to the elven alchemist as the three enter the cozy inn. Scanning the room, Harn does his best to remember to behave himself as unlike the other taverns we had been in, this place was not a hang out for Consortium cronies.
Heading for the bar, where good ol' Jak was tending to some customers, Harn adds "Yeah Jak, my bones are freezing in this weather. I wouldn't mind a Korgan's ta start off with and some o' that stew that Trevor mentioned."
Without missing a beat Jak begins pouring tankards for the newcomers.Evening Lads, Georgina three, no four more bowls of stew, don't think I didn't see you there master gnome. Jak smiles laughing at Lueck's comment at wearing the road These fellows here are fresh in town looking for work. In a quieter voice he says oh good sir you seem like a nice young man. You should stay clear of the consortium. They aren't the most upstanding group of men if you catch my meaning.he looks around returning to his more verbose volume. You have caught our fair hamlet in dire times good sirs. A bit of a sickness has befallen our town. If you are interested Harn here could introduce you to a camp boss if lumber-jacking is what you would like to do. Trevor does good works for priestess Shana over at the temple of Iomedae. She tends to the helping hand type work the community needs so much. AAremeth owns our very own "Alchemical Solutions" shop, I do believe the sheriff has a bounty on wolves at the moment as well, seems they have been some incidents with the goat herders of late.Wilina the bar maid comes over with a tray filled with bowls.
What shall it be gentlemen will you be eating here at the bar, or would you prefer I take your food over to the long table by the hearth? She gives Nikolae a wink taking note of his exotic looks. She then sets the steaming bowls down where ever she is directed, hunks of fresh bread mound a platter with a crock of creamy butter on the side. Once again with an eye on Nikolae she says, Just wave or call, if there is anything I can get for you.
”I do believe we’ll take the long table by the hearth, where we can at least start to warm up on the outside.” Lueck introduces himself, Nikolae and Rufus to Harn, Aaremeth and Trevor. Names only at this point. If Nikolae and Rufus care to share more about themselves during the conversation, that’s their prerogative and Lueck won’t share anything confided in him. ”Could we interest you gentlemen in joining us for this afternoon supper? I for one would love to share news from the road in friendly exchange for news of this town and its environs. Please, come join us!”
When the group begins to move away, Lueck will discretely say to Jak ”Thank you for the kind words of advice. This evening I’m obligated to have dinner with a gentleman associated with that group, but I will take great care not to become entangled with them and keep a respectable distance thereafter.” Another silver is left behind on the counter.
Who sir are you supping with this eve sir? If I may inquire?Jak replies in a like tone.
"Mr. Snorgen. We met at the ferry crossing and he seemed aimiable enough, though something about him put me to doubt enough that I wanted to ask around a little before hand."
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Nikolae smiles back at the lass delivering their bread and stew, "By the hearth indeed, we could all use the warmth." He lingers long enough to hear a bit more of Lueck's conversation with the proprietor before heading in that direction and sitting down with their food, waiting a barely seemly few seconds before taking off his sodden boots and placing them near the hearth, to begin the process of drying, while he tucks his legs up beneath him on the bench, as if sitting to meditate, before snatching up a piece of bread and dipping it into his stew with gusto.
In response to Lueck's offer, Trevor answers heartily: "Thank you so much for this kind offer. We definitely are interested in sharing this table with you gentlemen. Welcome to Falcon's Hollow, home of the maddest of brave Andoran, the men and women who face the mysteries and dangers of the Vale to bring its riches to the sanest cities of our great country."
"Unfortunately, as is normal in any village, all is not well, as a great plague runs through the Hollow, claiming its people in a random way that would make Mad Calistria proud. As the real seat of power, the Lumber Consortium, cannot be bothered, we are on a quest to find a cure to this plague in the deep reaches of the Vale."
"But before the rain, the cold and the danger, we will gladly ask you and the kind patrons of the Jak' to suffer us tonight as we fill our souls with beer, stew and stories of remote and exotic lands."
Trevor raises his glass, inviting everyone at the table to toast with him.
AAremeth couldn't help but return trevor's smile . Glad to see you, I've stumbled across something disturbing indeed. But don't worry Harn it will hold until we have drinks in our hands.
The elf followed the pair into the inn and listened as the small group of fellows bantered back and forth noting that Wilina was doing something new with her hair, perhaps it was a new ribbon or something, ah the sweet girl did always have a fancy for foreign looks and a mesterious chap in from the road
Aaremeth waited for his order to be assumed, Jak could be counted on to know what he prefered indeed. Aaremeth was pleased to hear what the new comers had to say, already eager to work.
I'll take a bottle of you eldest wine tonight Jak, it looks like. We three will be on the road tomorrow. AAremeth made peace with leaving on the morrow, for there was plenty in town to investigate tonight.
AAremeth walked over to the long table, I for one would be inclined to trade news, we very well may have a bit of work for you as well, if you are interested. he added to trevor's. He then chastised slightly. and while the plague was a mystery yesterday, tonight it is revealed, it is the towns water sources not a random occurence. Speaking of which.
The alchemist rose once more and to advise Jak if you boil your water before use, it should render it harmless. not that many drink water here.
Jak leans over Well Mister Snorgen is a good enough man. He is really little more then a clerk though. I would warn you tell him nothing you don't wish the barons to know however, he is likely to report any news to them.
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His mouth filled with bread, Nikolae wordlessly scoots aside to make room for the new arrivals. 'An elf,' he wonders silently. 'And bearing no marks of chains. I am in a whole new world,' he reminds himself, 'Best not to stare and be thought a bumpkin.'
Hearing mention of the town's water supply, Nikolae peers suspiciously at his stew for a moment, but then shrugs, as he's already consumed half of it anyway. An old proverb comes to mind, 'If your host serves you poison, you might as well lick the dish...'
"The river is contaminated with some taint?" he asks the elf in a low voice, curious as to the source of the plague, but unwilling to risk starting rumors (or alerting the ears of those who might profit from the misfortunes of others).
Jak leans over Well Mister Snorgen is a good enough man. He is really little more then a clerk though. I would warn you tell him nothing you don't wish the barons to know however, he is likely to report any news to them.
"Thank you for your frank advice. I'll sup with Mr. Snorgen as I have already committed to it, but I will guard my tongue. Until then, however, I am going to join the group by the fire. Thank you again." Lueck moves to the table and sits with his stew and ale.
Lueck listens intently to what Trevor and Aaremeth have to say.
"If what you gentlemen are proposing is to help the folks of this town in such an unselfish manner, then I believe it is something I must aid you in. For I am Cayden's man, and aiding the adventurous folks carving out a living like this appeals to his sensibilities."
"As for the lumber consortium, I must tell you this. This evening I will be having dinner with a clerk from that organization. I had made the commitment before I was aware of their reputation, and I will take care not to entangle myself with them. When he arrives, I'll join him and dine with him, and perhaps some smooth liquor might loosen his tongue enough to provide information that might help us. If I am pulled away for this, even though I have known him only a short time, I trust Nikolae to speak for me in the arrangements. I can be ready to move quickly with little notice."
Harn had downed his dark ale before even leaving the bar. Therefore, he ordered another and took it with him to the long table. His large frame settling itself at a seat Harn offers up a cheers at Lueck's mention of the Drunken Hero, taking a drink from hos mug before setting it back down, then saying, "Yeah, I'd be careful o' any work the Consortium offers. Let me tell ya from experience, if its honest it don't pay well and if it pays well, it ain't honest." Harn adds in response to Lueck's announcement.
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Nikolae looks serious for a minute and leans forward, so that neighboring tables will not overhear his words, "I come from a land of much treachery, so perhaps my concerns are unfounded, but I recommend not speaking loudly or openly of where we are going, or of what materials are required to stem this contagion. Someone stands to benefit from it's presence, and that someone could have agents right here in town, standing ready to foil any attempt to end the sickness. Advertising what materials we seek could result in our arriving to find them already taken, or burned to ash, so that we cannot succeed in spoiling some foul plan."
"Eh, in this place there are only two things ta fear, the Consortium and, if tha stories are ta be believed, the Vale itself. Both o' which are gonna find a way o' causing us trouble one way o' the other. But yer right there my city-bred friend, why talk about werk when we are her ta enjoy ourselves?" says Harn as he tips the last of his ale into his mouth, swallows, then calls, "Hey Wilina, how about a Three Rivers over here!"
Aaremeth lowers his voice a bit so that the long table can hear clearly but any one else would have to strain. Actually our. New friend Nikolae speaks true, the sickness and the water are both someone's doing, its the wells actually, someone is poisoning them I found a chain and a censor in the one near the market. I would have rem oved it but ole bronze nose was near by with his boys, I hardly felt comfortable getting in the well with that lot nearby. I know I wanted to leave tonight earlier but I think we may have work in town tonight.
AAremeth settled and ate his soup, it would be a fort night before he'd be able to enjoy a meal like this again.
Impressed not so much by Nikolae's knowledge of the world but at his own naiveté, Trevor ushes: "That is good advice Nikolae. But who would do such a thing! We need to let the Sheriff in on it and have him accompany us to the well to remove the censor you found.
I agree with Aaremeth: we should do it tonight, and maybe even leave for the Vale in the middle of the night, so as to put some distance between us and an ambushing party or to avoid being spotted by spies.
Trevor has a hard time staying in place. His mind racing, he adds: Do you think coppernose is protecting the wells? I can't see the Consortium profiting from half their crew on their back. Did you find any clue at the wells? Was the chain from the general store? Where do you find the kind of sensor you described? Who could have made them?
Filled with purpose, Trevors wolfes his stew. Looking at Lueck, he adds, with a full mouth: And Cayden men, always filled with a good heart, are always welcome. Thanks!
Another round coming up Harn. Wilina calls from across the room where she is taking the order of a couple of old timers. She soon is at the table with another round for everyone at the table. She also sets down a bottle in front of AAremeth. Heres your wine, Jak picked it himself says you will like it.
Dorgan:
** spoiler omitted **
As long as it doesn't hold up the other players, I'd love to go through it. Since the other PCs are working on plans for the night, I think we could do it without disrupting the game flow.
When Snorgen does arrive, I'll pardon myself at the table and raise up the bottle of brandy to him to show I hadn't forgotten.
Snorgen waves to Lueck as he comes into the Inn. He joins you at a table a distance from other tables. Well it seems the rain is letting up. Perhaps we will get a bit of a reprieve. Mister Snorgen waves Wilina over. Dear if you would be so kind to bring us a couple of dinner platters over when they are ready I would be much appreciative.
The air around Trevor seem to constrict as he sees Snorgen snake his head into the Jak. He's not the worst, but he serves the Consortium's system by his ways, his recruiting and his reports. I wonder what innuendos he will trace before Lueck. May Cayden keep the fogs off his mind.
Still whispering, he turns to the others. So, companions, it appears Lueck has some business with Mister Snorgen. What do you say we plan our little outing a little more. I'm sure he would like to join us as we wander the streets of the Hollow and go spelunking in its wells.
First, let's start with what we need to find. Any idea where lives that witch, what's her name again?
AAremeth took the bottle with a polite smile on his face. “Thank You, Wilina.” He said handing the girl a silver. It was easy to forget to tip when you were a local, but Aaremeth made a habit of keeping Jak’s happy with him, particularly after the solution fiasco at the sitting duck. They joked for a week that it was going to have to be called the roasted duck. It wasn’t that he was no longer welcome, just merely that he was the punch line to many a joke if he did.
“Ulizmila, according to Laurel, her place isn’t far from the ruins that Harn spoke of. I have a few things I might trade her that we let us leave with our sight in tact. I suppose we should first speak to the man who would know where the old tree is? If he is indeed in town.”
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"How many wells are in town, and are they wide enough for a full-grown man to crawl down within them?" Nikolae asks towards Trevor, Harn and Aaremeth, voice still low, so as not to carry. "It is possible that I know a conjuring that can help us dredge up the sources of the taint within the wells, if there is sufficient room to move..."
There are four wells in low part of town the one in the market that AAremeth checked, there is one by the warehouse, the Temple, and one Not to far from the sitting duck. There is also one in the high market. All the wells have a radius of in between 6' and 7' foot roughly 15 to 20 ft down to the water level in the wells. all of the locals know this info and can easily pass it on.
Snorgen waves to Lueck as he comes into the Inn. He joins you at a table a distance from other tables. Well it seems the rain is letting up. Perhaps we will get a bit of a reprieve. Mister Snorgen waves Wilina over. Dear if you would be so kind to bring us a couple of dinner platters over when they are ready I would be much appreciative.
A bit of time passes before Snorgen arrives, but in interest of keeping the game moving I wanted to go ahead and post.
Lueck puts the bottle of brandy down on the table and passes four silver to Wilina. "And a couple of glasses for our drink. Take that and share it with Jak since we'll be taking your table but less of your stock."Then to Snorgen..."I'm glad you were able to make it. Being responsible for the inventory of that caravan would be pretty daunting to me. But the work day is over now. Drink well!"
Lueck will quickly drink the first glass, basically letting Snorgen know that he doesn't have to be conservative with the beverage if wishes.OOC: I like Trevor's suggestion of moving on with the well investigation parallel to this conversation with Snorgen. If that seems more than you'd care to track at this point, I understand and we can go with the skill rolls option. I truly do not want to hold up the overall adventure for everyone. Lueck would intent to recount what he learns to Nikolae, and he would see no reason not to share as well with their new friends since they've shown their measure to him with their response to the situation in town.
oh well thank you lad, it has been a bugger of a day. First standing out there waiting for the caravan to show, and then having to go back and inventory the lists. Gavel Kreed is in a foul mood indeed, what with all the sick folk in town and production being down because of the rain and the sickness. Snorgen shakes his head, drinking his brandy, but not to quickly. This is some nice stuff. Just what i needed to end the day. I think the thought of a nice drink and conversation got me through that last hour or two. He looks over to the table Lueck was sitting at. I must say that trouble seems to be brewing in the hollow. I hope the food comes soon I am famished.
Lueck raises a glass to Snorgen.To your health, then!Lueck slows down his drinking quite a bit after this, and never lets Snorgen's glass get empty. So the sickness is out at the logging camps too? That's a shame. Ignoring his glance to the other table, Lueck goes on. What kind of trouble do you see coming? Do you mean more than just the illness and the weather? With the hardships I'm seeing here, I'm debating whether I may want to stay in town a bit or head out again. It would help to know what I may be up against.
Taking another drink from his cup he too noticeably is slowing down on the drink, his cheeks beginning to flush. Oh I mainly meant the sickness, but now that you mention it. he leans in conspiratorially When I saw young Trevor over there I couldn't help thinking of the temple of Iomedae. I fear Kreed is going to take more drastic action against the priestess. She has began having a bit more sway then Kreed cares for, and young Trevor has made Master Denko outraged. I have never seen him the way he has been acting lately he usually so.. Snorgen hesitates Well lets just say master Denko has always been a bit of a suck up to Gavel Kreed, and well lately he has been a bit vocal in his opinions shall we say. Snorgen sips at the brandy obviously beginning to feel its affects. I believe I am a bit drunk my friend. Please forgive me if I talk out of turn. I hope our conversation can stay between us after all if any of this got back to my bosses I would be in big trouble.
AAremeth spoke then in a hushed but confident voice as if the mouthpiece of the heavens. There are four wells in low part of town the one in the market that I, AAremeth checked, there is one by the warehouse, the Temple, and one Not to far from the sitting duck. There is also one in the high market. All the wells have a radius of in between 6' and 7' foot roughly 15 to 20 ft down to the water level in the wells. AAremeth peered at his glass of wine for a moment as if wondering why he was struck to speak so. The one near the market had a chain in it just above the water level, the chain was about six in length and the censor had a symbol on it, It was a Fly with a skull on its back. Above the chain was a ward or symbol of some such.
He paused for a moment pondering. I can only think of two cases where, the plight of the common Hallow folk would benefit any one. If someone was looking to start the town over with a new populace. People more pliable. Or perhaps someone who dwelled in the woods and liked them in tact. I realize that the town is clearing the woods at A pace that seems as if it will never reach the end, but in time, this will be a plain and not a forest, as the town succeeds it will grow, and the forest will be no more. Perhaps it is some of the Vale folk. Trying to get rid of those who would see the woods barren.
He took a sip of his wine. And offered the bottle around the table. That said, I intend on seeing who ever the culprit may be thoroughly punished for this. AAremeth thought of the sad scene on his porch today of the poor Popiyun pack. Four pups as perky as ever, while three sat like scolded little cubs.
"A skull on the back of a fly... Why does that sound familiar?" Trevor's mind is racing, but finds no purchase.
"I say we start with the one AAremeth's already identified. From what I understand the censor doesn't touch the water, no? That makes my skin crawl even more, as it makes this pouring rain a necessary ingredient, no? Anyway, if we could fin a way to empty or neutralize the censor, while leaving it in place, it would buy us time perhaps, before the eventual spy notices something is wrong."
Reflecting on AAremeth's comment, Trevor adds: "While it is true that the pace of expansion might be what triggered those events, it is still no way to negociate with Andorans."
His non verbal language is pretty clear now, he won't be sitting long on that chair... "I have a rope and a hook at the temple. What do you say we meet at the well in a few? ... Minutes I mean."
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"The item is marked? That seems... very peculiar. What utter madness would prompt someone to sign such a handiwork, and so draw down the anger of an entire community upon themselves?" Nikolae, says, visibly perplexed. "Could it be that the villain has falsely placed the symbol of another party upon the items, to stir wrath against them when it is discovered?"
At Trevor's suggestion, he shakes off his musings, "The sooner may well be the better, although I would be leery of onlookers misidentifying our actions and thinking that *we* are the ones tainting the wells. Such a thing would be a sure route to the gallows..."
Quietly, Lueck says with a puzzled look Young Trevor? The timid one over there? I don't see how he could outrage anyone unless he charmed a woman away from them." Then in a more normal tone adds How I wish the food would come! The wonder scents from the kitchen are testing my patience! I know they are doing their best, but I can't wait to sink my teeth into their fair. More quietly again... Kreed and Denko? Are they with the Consortium? What would businessmen like that have to fear from a priestess of Iomedae? Now if it was a tax collector from the house of Abadar, that I could see."The last line is delivered with what Lueck hopes is a disarming smile.
Seeing that the conversation about the plague was indeed to continues, Harn sulked a little, listening to the others. Then, trying to maintain a low voice, the deep voiced lumberjack says, "Well, we already know that whoever caused this plague ain't from around here. There are plenty o' things in the Vale that can do harm and a local wouldn't need ta resort ta finding something from far away ta do some damage. If'n we are gonna be working tonight, then checking tha other wells might be a good idea. Also, finding a way of getting a good look at one o' those censures should be on our list for tha night. I don't like thinking about going back out there, but better to get a move on before we completely dry off since a few o' us might have ta be climbing." With that, Harn tossed back the last of his ale, then will wait. If the others wish to continue, then he'll order another ale along with a bit more food.
As he crosses the door frame, Trevor is relieved to see his old friend Harn pick up the pace, as well as Nikolae. Using the symbol to point the finger at someone else. Plans within plans... Nikolae sure comes from a dangerous place. I better learn quick on the ways of the world if I don't want to end up being the pawn of some evil mastermind. AAremeth did mention he spoke to the sheriff. 'Cause I'll choose the rain over the gallows anytime.
The wet and cold rain embraces him as he disapears into the greyness of the night.
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Being unfamiliar with the town, Nikolae will follow behind the locals, letting them lead to the first of these wells. It seems premature to call upon the darkness quite yet, so he trusts to his less enduring conjurings to see him through any difficulties.
Such large wells they have here, sufficient room for a dolphin, if only the chain is anchored near enough to the water that the creature can wrench it free, so that we can haul it up. That should be far safer than attempting to scale down into the well on rain-slicked stones, while townsfolk wander past...
Lueck will join the group by the time they leave, having finished his dinner with Snorgen (though we are still playing out the content of it). He will discreetly relay the content of the meal conversation to the others, pausing in his telling if passerbys are too close or his speech would jeopardize a time when stealth is called for.
By the time we leave town, he should have amply time to share all of the important details, which means anyone who wants to can read along with the conversation posts without Dorgar and I haven't to resort to spoilers; if that works for everyone.
Ok anyone with know Religion give me a roll please.
By the time you all have left the inn night has fallen, the gray day has turned into a dark night the glow from the windows the only light on the mucky roads. The rain has turned to a true drizzle and a ominous fog is rolling in off the river. Off in the distance you can hear the crying of a babe. Dogs fighting over some scrap briefly overpower the cry, then you hear the yelp of defeat, and the crying is renewed as the most prominent sound on this eerie night.
Religion: