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You all arrive at the fortified town of Valmead having heard rumors of the famed Rappan Athuk.
Valmead is surrounded by giant stone curtains with the only breaks being wooden watch tower's and a single wooden gate. The gates of the fort are closed and manned by a few guardsman who scrutinize the adventurers closely, but since most visitors to Valmead are dangerous-looking they let you past. Valmead seems to be a mercantile town as stores and sell-swords liter throughout it's entirety.
Sum regards the town with slitted feline eyes, as Ronan looms behind her wearing a sour expression,
"Do we have any business here? Or should we make straight for Rappan Athuk and come back to lick our wounds?"
Sum sighs and stretches, sliding on a set of gauzy sleeves as she does so and transforming her drab traveller's garb into a sumptuous purple ball-gown. The rest of the group are probably used to her changing her outfit a few dozen times a day by now. Turning back to the gate she whistles loudly and calls,
"Hey fellas, anything interesting going on here recently? Especially anything that might interest hardened mercenary types, such as ourselves," she makes a sarcastic curtsey while grinning, "and could you tell a girl the quickest way to reach Rappan Athuk? I hear its simply the place to be... well murdered, but what is life without a little danger?"
Shon'dar nods. "Although we already intend to explore Rappun Athuk, there may be people here that will pay us to do so."
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"I agree it would be worth asking around. At the very least, we may hear about more recent events in the area. I must admit, what I've read to date about the place is somewhat stale." He stretches, elongating his back to work out some of the strain from travel. "A decent bed and meal before we plunge into the depths would be welcome as well."
"I would like to visit the temple district. Hopefully there is one to my lady Pharasma. If not any good aligned diety will suffice. Temples can be a good source of rumors and information."
The Half-Elf looks toward the gates hoping they open with Sum's call.
"It sounds like we have a few ideas about gathering more information. Why don't we meet there tonight for dinner to compare what we've discovered, if anything?" He points to an inn; if there is one that looks like lots of locals may be coming and going, that's the one he'll pick. The locals usually patronize the places with the most reasonable prices and best food. :) "Let's say about an hour after sunset? First one there gets a table large enough for all of us?"
For his part, Kwin will look for a library or sage that he might be able to gleen some information from.
The guards show no shame as they ignore Summer and head back to their posts.
Everybody is free to split up and look around for the time being.
Once the party has been split a well kept half-elf strolls towards Summer and bows. The insignia of a massive lion is plastered along his surcoat and equipment."I apologize on behalf of the guards, they are just wary of any newcomers."
The local sellswords direct you towards a lone temple located on the far end of town.
Upon entering you see makeshift beds litter throughout the floor with a few injured humans currently resting. A sole woman is walking around caring for the injured.
Tedious searching leads you to a small magic shop said to be run by a venerable wizard.
Entering the establishment shows massive collection of tomes and books neatly organized on the shelves. A heavily scared elf ignores the bells as he continues reading the book in front of him.
"Being standoffish isn't a bad thing necessarily, quite practical, but I'm glad some folks are a bit friendlier. I don't suppose you'd have any news about this cheerfully named Dungeon of Graves? I'd appreciate any news and more so over some drinks at the local Inn - I need a drink - I'll pay if you can share a few tidbits of information about the dungeon or the town that might be useful for a newcomer? Oh, I'm Sum by the way - I like your tabard - and the big gloomy one behind me is Roban," Summer says, her tone friendly, but with no hint of flirtation.
In the background Roban watches the half elf from the corner of his eye, ever suspicious of humans, and well pretty much everything else.
Estala catches the woman's eye, and bows. "Good Day. May the blessings of my Lady Pharasma grace you. My name is Estela Medial. My companions and I are traveling to Rappan Athuk, and I was hoping you could share information about the place." She looks at the injured. "I'd be willing to assist with healing services or last rites in exchange for the information or even just rumors you may know."
Kwin wanders into the shop, wide-eyed. He takes in a deep breath, savoring the smell of the of paper and papyrus, ink and leather. "Good day, sir. Pardon the disruption, but is this your establishment? I was hoping to find accounts of Rappan Athuk, perhaps even some partial mapping...?"
"Ahhhh an adventuring party I see... well it seems I can be of some use. Mind following me to the local inn?" He gestures towards the local watering hole.
The woman nods in disagreement as she hears the mention of Rappan Athuk." "Come, I'll tell you all that I know."
This temple is quite barren of any religious material except for a few embroideries of Sarenrae.
"Never heard of Rappan Athuk"The wizard says as he continues with his book.
Shon'dar murmurs a prayer to the depictions of Sarenrae. "Shall we help the hurt first?"
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Estela nods in agreement with Shon'dar, "Yes let's help with the healing first. Thank you for talking with us."
"Mmmmmmhmm, we need to get rooms to, I spend more than enough time sleeping in the dirt. I need about a gallon of gin, and a four poster bed, in that order. I suppose we should get rooms for everyone right Bal-dy?" Sum says, following along with Roban bringing up the rear.
A bit taken back by the elf's answer, Kwin says "Ah. Well. Then. I guess I shall leave you to your studies. Perhaps we can visit and confer at some point when you are... less engrossed." He glances around at some of the titles of books before stepping back to the door, letting out a sigh, and then heading off to meet the others at the inn.
"Yes of course" She grabs a handful of Gauze's and medical supplies and splits them between the both of you. "I'm krishana." Up close Krishana's face is riddled with signs of fatigue but she still manages to muster a smile.
Silence ensues as Krishana returns to the injured. "You know there is nothing to gain from going down there." Krishana says abruptly
"Pardon me I haven't even introduced myself... I'm sheriff Ostland. To make it up I'll buy the first round of drinks." Walking inside the establishment shows a run of the mill inn with plenty of liquor for sale.
Ostland orders the drinks and opens up a map held steady with empty mugs."Does anybody have a quill?
"Ha, apology accepted Sheriff Ostland, pleasure I'm sure. Kind of you to help us out, I hope we can return the favor? And I am afraid I'm fresh out of quills, maybe the Inn Keeper can lend us one?" Sum replies cheerfully, sauntering over to the bar crossing her arms upon it and resting her chin upon them.
Looking for staff is she sees one she waves her tail for attention, pointing its black tip and the bottles of liquor and her mouth in turn. If a staff member approaches she purrs,
"Good day there, we're looking to rent some rooms, drink some drinks, and if you've a quill the Sheriff here can borrow it would be much appreciated."
"Perhaps not. There are undead or so I've heard. That makes it of interest to my lady Pharasma. The group has decided to go for many different reasons. Im going beacase my lady guided me here."
Estela kneels next to one of the injured. She murmurs soothingly.
"There might be creatures down there that would see the light of Sarenrae if given the chance." Shon'dar says as she binds wounds and offers healing.
"How are there so many hurt people in here?"
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Kwin rejoins those in the inn, still feeling disappointed with his lack of results. When the sheriff asks for a quill, Kwin reaches down into his pack and pulls forth a hard leather container. He opens it and passes a writing quill to him, followed by a small ink pot.
Sum glances back at Kwin from the bar, "No luck then? At least you are here in time for the Sheriff here to shed a little illumination. Visual aids and everything..."
At the inn, a traveller walks in wearing sturdy but fine clothes, a circlet, and bears a crest of a slain demon, the theme of which continues across the clothes in silver on black. She is followed by an obviously well trained dog.
She looks around, then heads for the sheriff's table.
"It seems your friends came to join us, no matter the more the merrier." Ostland says with smile on his face.
"Well let's begin." Ostland picks up the quill and begins drawing on the map.
"This... this is what you're after." Ostland points at the drawn mausoleum. "Follow the road until you pass the woodland, then head east."
"If you head there I must warn you of the bandits. They seem to lie around this area robbing and murdering anyone crossing their paths."
"I don't know... they just keep coming and coming."
Casting magical healing might make some of the patients conscious enough to speak.
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"Right you are Sheriff, and how long would you estimate the trip takes on foot? Horses seem like a bad idea given the bandits you mention, we'd not be able to leave them outside," Sum says thoughtfully, "oh and could we buy the map off you? I'd rather have it to hand."
Sum glances back at Kwin from the bar, "No luck then? At least you are here in time for the Sheriff here to shed a little illumination. Visual aids and everything..."
"No, it was a dead end. I probably could have gotten more information with a speak with dead spell." He shakes his head with frustration, and tries to focus on the current conversation.
Sum gives a commiserating, manure happens nod and turns back to the Sheriff.
"A workday if you're lucky." Ostland rolls up the map and hands it to Summer."cost is of no issue."
Ostland's serious demeanor eases up as he turns to face Baldhus."Bandits litter the roads stopping caravans in their tracks, I'm sure quite a few lords would be grateful if you made them crossable once again.
A patients eyes widen as he wakes up from his comatose-like state.
"Wha... where am I?'He says with shallow breath.
"Yes, thank you indeed for the directions... but you also did say something about work, am i wrong Sheriff?"
"I think that was you Bal-dy. Not sure why you are so keen for other work anyway, we are here for The Dungeon right, I have no desire to run errands, and if anything is important enough for our attention we won't need to ferret it out," the cat-like tiefling says,
"Now is this a bar or a desert? I need brandy!"
"You're in Valmead, friend. Can you tell us what happened to you? Where did you come from?"
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"Well, we are here to deal with the threat Rappan Athuk poses. But I'm not opposed to ending any bandits should we cross paths with them. And a bounty may help us better equip for the trials we are sure to face."
"Well sure bandits, goes without saying, they're like fleas, you've just got to scratch them - or at least have your genie do it, right Roban?"
The eidolon grunts and rolls his eyes, massive arms folded.
"He loves me really."
"Be calm. We're trying to help you." Estela continues to care for the wounded.
"I... I was with a caravan, we were headed north then..." His eyes widen in a state of disbelief."There were hundreds of those things." It's obvious that fear has taken over his body.
A woman donned in full plate bearing the same insignia's as Ostland whistles from across the inn.
Ostland rises from his chair and leaves a few silver pieces on the table."I'm sorry it seems I must be off." Ostland begins heading out before turning back one last time."Please don't travel at nighttime, nothing good will come of it."
Summer waves and asks her companions, "So we get some rooms, and then set out in the morning expecting bandits?"
"What things? How did you survive?"
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"That sounds like an excellent course of action. I am going to get some rest so I can be ready. Tomorrow, my friends, our march into the tomes of history begins!" If the conversation dies off, Kwin will go to arrange for a room. If others want to discuss more planning in detail, he'll hang around for it.
"Careful, you're tempting fate, and history isn't exactly filled with those who lived happily ever after."
"I don't know, Most of us were sleeping before we heard the yelling. Then these things swarm, I tried running but before I knew it I woke up here."
If the majority of the party wants to head out we can. Everybody can still talk in spoilers as if it happened.