Gyre and Fenlys - The Beginning

Fenlys
Gyre nods at you and sits at the offered chair.

"I tend to take the most direct route, given the chance, thus south to the Dreadwood road is the correct route to Saltmarsh for me. The road is two to three days travel I believe and then a straight shot south. Besides, I enjoy the peace of a forest path over the bustle of a busy street any day."

Seeing you wave to him, the Meister nods his head and comes to your table. He carries a pair of large mugs of ale with him and climbs up into a seat. "Oy, then, ya! What can the Meister do for you gents now, then, ya? More ale is it? Finest there be, ya! More food? Song, ya? Meister aims t' make the clientele the 'appiest in town, ya!"

Gyre
"Woods be fraught wit' danger, ya! Best keep to the main trails, ya, less along the animal ones lest you stumble on some unwanted, ya? " the halfling replies, waving for drinks to be brought to you both.

Pausing a bit he adds "Most woods in these areas are patrolled by the Dreadwalkers, ya? They keep the worst o' the beasts away, but there always be somethin' somewhere that wants a taste of man... or elf... ya?"

After your drinks arrive, he asks "So why the trip, then, ya? Lookin' t' make your fortunes ya?"

Your halfling host looks at Fenlys, then back to Gyre before nodding in acknowledgement. "most travelers do, friend, ya? Though take care climbin' the hills, ya? Some get pretty steep to th' west, ya? Then steep down th' udder side, ya? if ya get the rains, might be easier t' just slide down on your butts, ya?" he bursts out into laughter.

"Still though, best keep to th' larger trails, ya? Not many go that route, so ain't shore how easy it be t' use 'em, ya? I heard th' Walkers try 'n mark some trails, but the beasties learnt 'about 'em too, ya? So no matter yer path, stay ware always, ya?" he finishes with another draw on his tankard.

Fenlys leans back in his chair, "The earlier the better, I would rather travel further and be through the Dreadwood faster than tarry and risk attracting unwanted attention." He stands and turns to the halfling, "Meister, can we arrange for an early meal to be ready before the sun rises and for some dried meats, fruits and bread to be available to take with us on the road?"

Fenlys and Gyre
"Aye, sirs, early brakefest is m' speciality, ya! We's be up well afore the sun makes 'is appearance o'r the woods, so we'll be ready wit' yore foos, ya!" the halfling replies loudly and boisterously, obviously taken by the same spirits he has been providing the crowds all evening.

Bidding you good night, he leaves yo both to your rooms. They are identical for the most part, though across the hall from one another. Simple furnishings include a bed with soft pillows and a thick blanket, a wardrobe, sitting chair and writing desk as well as a small wash basin and lantern should you require light. At the end of the hall is a privy, though only one person can occupy the closet at a time.

Outside, the air is cool and calm, with a smattering of clouds hiding much of the light from Luna and Celene, and soon you find yourselves drifting off to sleep.

Fenlys and Gyre
"Aye, sirs, early brakefest is m' speciality, ya! We's be up well afore the sun makes 'is appearance o'r the woods, so we'll be ready wit' yore foos, ya!" the halfling replies loudly and boisterously, obviously taken by the same spirits he has been providing the crowds all evening.

Bidding you good night, he leaves yo both to your rooms. They are identical for the most part, though across the hall from one another. Simple furnishings include a bed with soft pillows and a thick blanket, a wardrobe, sitting chair and writing desk as well as a small wash basin and lantern should you require light. At the end of the hall is a privy, though only one person can occupy the closet at a time.

Outside, the air is cool and calm, with a smattering of clouds hiding much of the light from Luna and Celene, and soon you find yourselves drifting off to sleep.

Earthday, 6 Planting CY591
The following morning, true to his word, Elavon The Meister has the staff up early and ready to serve you a meal before you go. A hot meal of eggs and pastries, mixed with some fruit as well as juices, coffee or ale depending on your desire, you soon are stuffed and ready to depart. Olivia greets you each with a small bag of trail rations made up of dried fruits and nuts that have been lightly salted. Each of you is also privy to a fresh flask of Elavon's latest ale, a lighter fare with a bit of an orange hint to the flavor.

Bidding your farewells, you both find yourselves on the road again, the day cloudy and the breezes very light in the early hours of the day. To the west tower the forbidding depths of the Dreadwood, but it is that direction you find yourselves walking. The thick canopy of leaves above soon blocks out the majority of light, leaving you traveling in the dim, filtered daylight, but you make good time nonetheless.

Sunday, 9 Planting CY591
The trip south goes extremely easy, compared with what you expected. Gyre keeps you on track for the most part, though as you move through the woods you actually have to swing a bit more west in order to avoid several tall hills and mountains. Regardless, the overall trip you find to be refreshing, exciting and invigorating.

Coming out of the hills, you can see a wide expanse of marshland to the west. A mist hangs over the place even as late in the day as it is right now, and you find yourselves on a winding track heading primarily south and east. Perhaps a mile or so to the south west, barely visible in the mist, you can make out the tops of tower walls around a small town, perhaps one of those established at the ends of trade routes through the marshes. The road you are on does not head to the town, but the land between you and it is fairly flat, and not too soft should you elect to stop there for the night.

Fenlys and Gyre
You begin to make your way across the open fields, finding that the earth is a bit softer the further you move off the road, though not overly difficult. The stench of the marsh, however, is another matter, as the fetid mud and constant barrage of gnats, dragon flies and other insects, even in the cooler air of the coming evening, serve to annoy you during your side trek walk.

Eventually the earth again begins to harden, and you come to the gates of a small town. A wooden board stuck upon a post next to the road leading into town has the words Nine Oaks scrawled onto it. At the gate, you are stopped and questioned by the guards before being allowed inside the walls.

Guards patrol the inner wall, always ion the lookout for swap creatures that might want to test the town defenses, and inside the markets are in the process of closing up. There remains perhaps an hour or so of sunlight, should you want to do anything before securing lodging, though there appears to be only one structure large enough to be considered an inn, and it lies in the central square.

The road runs right through town and out the far side, where a second gate stands. That leg of the road disappears quickly into the mists of the Hool Marshes. The inn, or tavern perhaps, is a two-story structure, heavy stone forming its lower floor and wood its upper. Several small chimneys stream blackish-grey smoke and it is obvious the central location of the structure makes it a gathering place for locals.

The doors leading inside the place swing back and forth, as patrons enter and exit with regularity.

Gyre and Fenlys
As you get closer to the inn, you can see a large board with various scraps of paper- some scrawls and others more official looking. Most appear to be of a general sort of help wanted; help at a store, clearing some farmer’s field, etc. One appears to be an official bounty on lizard men heads, another seeking removal of a ‘dread wyrm’ plaguing the surrounding lands and yet another for a reward for hunting down an albino gator.

All in all, for a small town in the swamps, there is no shortage of work. Inside, you find a large, open room with plenty of tables and chairs. A roaring fire blazes along the left wall, and the far side is dominated by the bar itself. Several maids run about serving patrons, and the noise level is sufficient that you need to raise your voice slightly to be heard.

"Pick a spot, gents, be with you in a jiff." one of the girls says as she whisks past.

Gyre and Fenlys
While you sit, you take stock of the patrons. All seem to be of the rural sort, with a smattering of towns guard and perhaps merchants. The place is lively, though there is entertainment beyond a few drunken fellows who feel the need to belt out a bawdy song or two.

Your food arrives, a mixture of fish and meat. It isn't beef, nor pork or fowl, and at your questioning look the girl sets your drinks down and smiles, saying "Gator. Best in the marsh, boys." before dancing off to other customers. You settle in for a bit, soaking up the warmth of the fire felt all the way across the room, when suddenly the room goes relatively quiet.

eye are on the door, and when you turn to look, you see a large lizard-like humanoid figure standing in the door. Server girls stumble to get out of his way, their eyes wide and looks of fear upon their faces. The creature looks slowly back and forth over the crowd before slowly walking toward the bar, his bronze-colored scales glinting slightly in the flickering lantern and fireplace lights.

At the bar, his low, raspy voice says Bartender. Ale.

Slowly, the crowd begins to relax and the noise level rises, though it still remains subdued in the presence of the newcomer.

Gyre and Fenlys
As you watch the newcomer interact with the barkeep, you see the two speaking but cannot make out what they say. The lizard does not bear the typical markings of a lizard man, and his coloration look more like a dragon than lizardman. While neither of you have ever seen such a creature, you have heard of those with dragon blood in them. Dragonborn they are called, part human and part dragon. TYhis one appears to hail from a bronze line of majestic beasts.

Gyre and Fenlys
As you watch the dragonborn, he sudenly turns and faces everyone. In a booming voice, he says People. Kill. Lizards! With ME!