Chapter 2: Hope

You march your forlorn bandit prisoners north, toward Hope. After an hour, the forest gives way to farmland. Several of the farms lie fallow and some of the homesteads are abandoned. A few are even burned to the ground. However others stand defiant with vibrant homes and sprawling crops.Eventually you round a hill and the town itself comes into view. An old keep overlooks this village that looks like it was once home to 500 people or more. Banners are conspicuously missing from its battlements.

After the keep, a great hand carved of black stone is Hope's second-most-visible landmark, rising up at the center of the village with its thumb and five fingers splayed out. The area around the hand is a great dig, where someone has appeared to have tried and failed to excavate whatever is underneath.

An open-air stone temple, a two-story inn built atop steaming hot springs, and an outfitters’ shop stand among two dozen other buildings that make up the heart of the village, while farmhouses dot the neighboring hillsides, surrounded by broad fields of crops.The sun is high in the sky and lunch hour fast approaches. A bell rings somewhere in the town as you approach. A pair emerges from behind the inn, hastily donning jackets and doing up sword belts, which you quickly realize are old Arkasian military issue. Eight bowmen emerge from other buildings and start taking up positions along a low, crumbling wall, although none draw arrows yet. The two dressed in Arkasian uniforms stride up the road toward you.

"Good day, strangers. Looks like you ran into some of our wayward citizens along the road. Many thanks for brining them in alive, I doubt they deserved. I'm Ruth Willowmane, the sheriff 'round these parts. This is my brother, Matthew, and them back there with their bows are just being cautious, don't be offended. Mind telling us who you are and stating your business?"

The Sheriff's tone is friendly but assertive. Matthew is silent and studies each of you carefully.

"Well, that's quite the story! My thanks to you all." the sheriff calls out. She waves her hand behind her and the bowmen disperse back into their respective buildings.

"Yeah I recognize these louts. Not the smartest residents, but good people all of them. They're lucky you didn't put holes in their hides. Matthew, take 'em up to station and take their stories in their words. Maybe get them a stiff drink."

If the party consents to Matthew taking their prisoners, the former bandits all give sheepish thanks to the party.

Ruth also responds to Kaa's comments: "We are indeed feeling a bit outnumbered. Any chance you brought that big ol' axe all this way to help even the numbers out?"

To Euphoria, the sheriff nods

"I understand. We are a little cash-strapped at the moment, truth be told. That part Artur told you about the reward was nonsense, probably just wanted to make sure you didn't kill the four of them. Don't get me wrong, I am grateful - saved me the trouble and danger. I can offer a purse of 60 gold for you to share between yourselves. Or, if you prefer, the town has plenty of property. There's a nIce farmhouse just on the hill up there, been vacant a while. I'll sign the deed over right now. Feel free to look it over before you decide."

"And hey, if you feel inclined to help us solve this bandit problem for good, we'll show our gratitude by sharing some of our old magic treasures from the Imperial days. Weapons, armor, a spell book."

To Hilmar, the Sheriff says "Yep, might be able to get some good coin for those, look like good quality. Wonder where Ralavaz is finding good steel like that? Not like he's got a forge holed up in that Lonely Tower of his. You should drop by Grayhorn Outfitters. He pays a fair price for used quality goods."

Sheriff Willowmane responds to Kaa's interest in rest:

"The Summerspring Inn is a good place to rest. See that irregular-shaped two-story building at the center of town, see the one with the steam coming out of the pipes on the side there? Run by Amanda Jess. It looks a little ramshackle but there's nothing more relaxing than a dip in the natural hot springs bellow."

The party arrives at Greyhorn Outfitters. A pair of huge black horns protrudes out from above the heavy wooden door of this large shop. A horseshoe, a bundle of rope, and a pickaxe are carved into the sign that hangs overhead. One side of the building features a stable with twelve stalls, presently holding four well-worked draft horses and a beautiful white stallion.

Grayhorn Outfitters is a cluttered mess holding all forms of tack and equipment, including both adventuring and exploration gear. In the back you can see arms and armor of all sizes. Inside you meet Gavun and Arianne Greyhorn, the sturdy but elderly couple that runs the shop.

"Hey, some new folks in town, welcome! That's some good steel there. I'll be sure to give you a fair price."

---

Some of the party move on to the Summerspring Inn in search of a hot bath. They arrive at the large, two-story building which seems to sit slightly askew, supported at its corners by heavy beams that keep it from collapsing completely. Whenever the wind blows, the whole building makes a deep creaking sound, like someone trying to get comfortable in a tilting chair.

Inside you meet Amanda Jess, owner and proprietor. She doesn't look quite as old as the Greyhorns, but maybe she has just aged better, it's hard to say. She gets anyone who asks a hefty lunch started: baked hare with garlic and crowberry tart with a Glass of apple cider. While she's cooking, Amanda asks some pointed questions:

"Word has it that you brought back Artur and them without a scratch! How'd you manage a trick like that? I say I haven't seen such a fearsome company come through here in quite some time, at least not one on our side. What brings you to Hope?"