[IC] Trouble in Red Larch

Far from the large cities of Karrnath, away from the bustling stops of the Lightning Rails and removed from the paths of airships lies a small town named Red Larch. The town sits in a grassy valley lightly crossed by two dirt roads. Both stretch off to the horizon without meeting any other settlements. Red Larch sits alone.

The residents like it that way. The secluded country feel bolsters the independence and pride all Karrnathi feel for their nation. These hardy people have a rough life, but that's how they want to live.

Your group has traveled far to arrive at this town, a central point in this empty area on the map of Karrnath. No economic powerhouses lie within 100 miles of here. You'll be lucky if any of the merchants and services are affiliated with the Dragonmarked houses at all.

It is likely you have mixed feelings about coming to this place, but you've chosen the life of an adventurer and adventure has been promised to you in and around this town. For, as hardy and independent as these folk are, such a secluded area can attract evil men and monsters.

You approach the town on the dusty road, coming in from the West by way of Vedykar. The sun has begun its journey down to the Western horizon and your shadows begin to stretch before you, towards the small town of Red Larch.

Paris stands to Xander's left and two steps behind. His bow is strung but hung from his back. The quiver over his right shoulder is full. A long sword swings from his left hip in its sheath. His eyes scan the horizon from beneath longish blond hair. You try not to stare at the burn scars on his face but focus instead on his large, agile hands.

"We've made good time. Our entry into the town before dark will be appreciated by the locals. I doubt they care for strangers sneaking past their homes after dark. This is not the kind of place that lights its streets."

Ara (the only name she typically gives) is face-down in a book, which is her usual state of affairs. Her raven hair is untethered and blows randomly in the breeze, and she occasionally has to pull it back behind an ear when it flies into her azure eyes. She's dressed in simple enough attire, but it looks like she pulled out of the back of someone else's closet with her eyes closed, if how it fits her is any indication. There's only one thing that looks expensive on her person at all - the clasp that holds her cape on is a House Cannith bull's head made of pewter.

Her current reading material is Summer Summoners: The Short Guide to Summoning Elementals With Efficiency and Safety: Volume IV. It's full of bookmarks and margin scribbles.

On her back is a pack full of what appear to be random bulges. One claw of a grappling hook sticks out of a small pocket, and two pieces of chalk stick out of the top, along with what could eventually be a tent, but not without a lot of help. She reaches in a pocket, seemingly at random, and comes out with a half-eaten oatmeal trail cookie, which at least one of her travelling companions knows she put in there about eight hours ago. Chomp. She stuffs it back into a different pocket and turns a page. "I just hope Flitterbend doesn't discount my entire shop while we're gone. I don't want to know where they send people who fail at being in Karrnath."

The sun is warm but the air is chilly as you continue on the road into Red Larch. It only takes another half hour to get into the town. You pass several farm houses. Small children in simple, but thick and well made clothes play in yards or herd chicken and pigs. They all stop and stare at you as you pass, but soon return to their activities.

Upon arriving at the crossroad in town, you find a large shrine on the Northwestern corner to The Host. Directly across from is is a building that smells of raw meat. The sign hanging above the door says Drouth Fine Poultry, and a sporadic stream of people are going in and out. All of those leaving have paper wrapped packages.

Across the crossing of the roads, you see two other buildings, one a wagonworks and the other a clothier.

Before you can go much farther, a human woman steps out of the poultry shop, pulling the door shut behind her and locking it with a key. She turns around and starts when she sees you.

"Goodness, me!" she cries, putting her hand to her chest and smiling at the group. "I certainly didn't expect to see your kind here!" She steps forward with a chuckle, holding out a hand. "My name's Nahaeliya Drouth. Welcome to Red Larch! What brings you here?"

The woman looks confused and shakes her head, "No, there're no problems here!" She chuckles and continues, "Not that everyone will tell you the same. Some people worry more than others."

Turning, she waves farther into town and say, "Red Larch has the Swinging Sword Inn and Mother Yalatha's boarding house. I wouldn't stay at either one, but then I do have a house here, don't I?" She smiles at the group and turns to go. "I really must be off, I have things to attend to, but I do hope you enjoy your stay!" She tries to hurry off before anyone else can stop her.

Your search of the town finds that the businesses are mainly along the main North-South road that the road you're on intersects. There's another poulterer, a wagoneer, a bathhouse, a dirty tavern, a tack store, clothing, a bakery, a smithy, a butcher, a weapon shop, a wagonworks, a barber/tavern, stoneworks, a tannery, storage warehouses, a market and general store. All in all, this small town has shops for just about everything a small town could need.