Chapter 1 - Trouble In Red Larch

Thorgrim was not sure what the big guy had just explained to him, definitely was not the significance of the arrow, but he did seem quite convinced of all that he had just shared. Still all Thorgrim could think to say in response was, "oh.. kay," as he looked at the other three wondering if one of them might explain what that actually all meant.

Vanri hums.

"There has been a number of unusual events around lately. The first was when Mr. Welsh," Vanri gestures to the satyr so it is obvious who she was talking about, "disappeared momentarily as we were approaching a bandit camp. After he reappeared he says that he was contacted by his patron."

Vanari sighs, "The most recent was just a few hours ago, when we found and enchanted arrow and note. The magic seems to have discharged when Mr. Wlesh retried the note, to no obvious effect. I was hoping that a prolonged study of the object the next time we stopped for a long enough time might tell me some more."

"Do you have the magical spell to identify objects? Was that your plan?" He stops for a moment nervously to assess if he still feels...tingly? "Maybe you should check me too. Now I’m all nervous."

At Vanri's comment he says to her, "Do you want this then..." he presents here with the arrow, "or... I can continue holding on to it until you do want it."

Vanri nervously presses her forefingers together.

"Not, yet My. Welsh, I'll need some time to prepare the correct spells. What I hope is that under less of a treat, and a chance to consult some of my notes, I might be more successful in identifying the magic than I was the first time."

"Mr. Aukan the Fearless, it would be fine to keep the arrow for now. I'll just borrow it from you a bit later."

As my companions have said, a lot of strange things have already been happening. Why Welsh here originally came from a different place entirely, but was summoned to help. Nadya was beginning to wonder if it was necessary to try and get the dwarf to join the ploy. He seemed to be more cautious of random strangers talking about destiny than the others, and that was very rude of him.

"Interesting, well as I said my purpose here is to reclaim my family's heritage and that has brought me here," Thorgrim points up at the rock. "Are you planning on doing anything here or were you just passing by?"

When no one else speaks up, Vanari raises her hand again.

"Mr. Thorgrim, we were in this area looking for 'something foul' living in a cave in this area. Several of the locals claim that it is causing plagues and the like. We were hoping to put a stop to it."

Thorgrim eye'd the group suspiciously but thought to himself a few extra bodies might make getting this next piece to the puzzle a bit easier than he had getting that last piece. Perhaps... maybe... the Lady was extending a hand, I mean it was not like he had been one of Her more impressive nor inspiring followers. Heck he had not even wanted to be Her cleric, She had just been the only one he had really qualified for. So it had either been Her or a life in the family kitchen, and that prospect had been a haunting nightmare for him ever since his youth. He had always had dreams of glory and notoriety amongst his people and that was not gonna happen from within a kitchen. So he was frankly willing to die for that opportunity, which he had already nearly accomplished twice, and if it meant serving a more maternal deity than so be it. Still it had not been an easy path to walk thus far, and surprisingly the Lady had not deny him each morning although he kind of expected Her to one of these mornings. All the speculation he had thus far about what he was doing and why She had not denied came back in flood... and before he could rethink what he was going to say he found he had already said: "Well, my path most likely leads to this cave you speak of. So if you would like to accompany me I can take you there."

Vanri smiles and nods.

"I cannot speak for the other's Mr. Thorgrim, but I for one would find your direction most useful."

"More warnings. Mr. Thorgrim, this is what we came to investigate. You may turn back if you wish."

"Nay I have faced far worse than some disease and besides we Dwarves are known to be quite resilient to such things. Who knows maybe this guys disfigurements might have him looking like... that thing she," he indicates Nadya "saw in her visions."

'If these disfigurations look like snakes, then definitely not something we want to catch.' She looks cautiously at the cave.

"Err, does anyone need a light source? I don't, but I understand that many do."

'I will. Unfortunately my gifts don;t extend to seeing in the dark.'

Vanari gestures and lights her hand on fire, then uses that fire to light a torch from her pack.

"It's not much, but its better than nothing."