Chapter 2: Nulb and the Ruins

You head out the following morning and find that Nulb isn't actually so far away. The village of Nulb is filthy, ramshackle, and still fairly active despite the destruction of the Temple. The buildings are of turf, mud brick, crudely hewn logs, and old timbers from boats. One or two have stone foundations and proper boards, but even these are in need of repair.

You stand at a rickety bridge leading over a small creek. There are many ramshackle buildings, but the nearest to the bridge appears that it's an inn of some kind. There's a sign outside of the door, but the image on it is so faded as to be unreadable. It is nearing night time and you can hear a rowdy crowd within as well as the clink of glasses and shouts of orders for more booze.

Esmenlara pauses at the bridge and takes a deep breath. She is hesitant to cross into Nulb, but through willpower she places one foot in front of the other.

"Dark and lawless," Ixion said to the others as he walked over the rickety bridge, "and it can stay that way as long as we find what we're after."

"Say, be on your guard, all. Word will spread fast we're in town. The escaped cultists - what were their names? might have hired some thugs to ambush us.

I was raised in hell holes like that, expect to be ambushed even if they're not hired by the cultists...

"Good point. Best get on with it."

Itkovian heads into the inn, noting the name on the sign as he enters.

The name of the place is worn off and unreadable at this point, but that doesn't stop you from entering. As the door opens, you can't help but notice how much different this place is than the inn back in Hommlet. Where the Inn of the Welcome Wench was warm and inviting, there is something more cold and sinister about this place. The place is nearly full and there's a fire in the hearth, but the people within don't seem inviting.

Two heavily-tattooed men stand by the door, looking like they can't wait to break up any fights that may start (and bust a few heads in the process). The patrons hold their drinks close, as if they fear that someone is going to take them away or slip something into them. Behind the bar stands a man with an eyepatch and a perpetual frown on his face.

Esmenlara nods to the two bouncers as she passes between them, and navigates a path to the bar. As she walks, she tries to spot an empty table, or anyplace with room for the entire party.

It's not too difficult to find an open table, but when you get there, it's very dirty. It's very clearly not been cleaned since it's last use (or probably for many before that). You seat yourselves and wait, but it quickly becomes evident that the servers are avoiding your table.

Having a good idea of how it works in a dump like that, Solus makes eye contact with the barman before putting a gold piece on the table in a way only he and the barman sees it...

The barman smiles and flags down a server to make their way over to you. It doesn't take long before a middle-aged man with a pronounced limp makes his way over, "What do you folks need?" he asks, exhibiting non of the pleasantries that people normally do.

"Almond milk, please," says Esmenlara. "And, we are looking for someone, perhaps they may have passed through here?"

The man stares at Esme blankly, Ain't got no almond milk and ain't never heard of nobody passing through."

"Does everyone stay in your town until they die?" Ixion asked with a touch of sarcasm.

"The ones that ask stupid questions do," the man replies with the barest hint of a smile.

"And the ones who give stupid answers?"

Come on !! You guys trully don't know how this kind of place works... Solus throws a gold coin to the server, Open me a tab and start by bringing us ale and water for the Lady. He then throws a silver piece, This one is for you, and if the Lady is satisfied by your answers, I'll give you another one.

Itkovian is tight-lipped in this seedy place, and on high alert.