IC Stuff

Can I head downstairs and talk to the secretary?

"The mayor and the other man said I was supposed to get a copy of the map and adventurers files from you on my way out."

The elderly secretary blinks up at you. It takes her an eternity to respond.

"He...did? Why didn't he just give those things to you himself, instead of forcing me to root around for it?"

After a lot more grumbling, she produces a map and some sheaves of paper.

"I hope you find these folks hale and hearty. But..." [here she whispers conspiratorially] "...I fear Valencrest spooks haunt these woods now, and that those fiends sucked those missing persons dry and then fed their drained bodies to some wild hogs."

Haha! I got the map anyways! I think the Pig and the Whistle is my next stop, hoping to drum up any rumors. I know I'll need basic supplies for the trip, but maybe the rumors will help me identify special equipment that might be helpful, and maybe every suggest a place to investigate after the initial site.

The Pig and Whistle is a short distance from the town hall. As you walk, you notice several villagers regarding you with unmistakable suspicion...sometimes even anger. With ten people gone missing in such a short time, it's no wonder they're not as personable as normal.

You enter the tavern. Like the town hall, it's far from extravagant. Several tables and chairs, most of them chipped and stained, are scattered about the interior. A bar runs along most of the back wall, with bottles on shelves behind it, and probably barrels of ale on the floor. A staircase is on the right side of the room, likely leading up to rooms for travelers. The bar is tended by a hatchet-faced man.

The air is a bit stale, but you catch a whiff of something that smells like soup or stew.

Since it's still morning, the bar isn't crowded. But there are still a few patrons:

A woman in ragged clothing and armor sits alone at the bar, her back to you. Thick dreadlocks stream down her back; most are red or maroon, but some are also streaked with white, black, even a bit of tan.

At a table in the corner, three people sit. Two are middle-aged men in common clothing; likely villagers. The other is a male gnome dressed in a bright green cloak. All three are gesturing wildly and speaking loudly, the gnome most of all; however, their smiles and laughter indicate their conversation is in jest.

I think I'll order a soup and an ale and try to strike up conversation with the bartender, since they have probably heard a lot of the gossip. However, I'll make my questions loud enough that the lady or the men can hear and chime in if they want. I think I'll get more info if people offer it rather than if I ask directly. Also, what kind of soup is it?

You sit at the bar and order vegetable stew and an ale for 6 copper. The barkeep pours a mug for you, then retreats to the kitchen, in short order bringing back a medium-sized bowl filled with hot stew.

The ale tastes...ale-like. Nothing special.

The stew has plenty of veggies, but little seasoning. It's hearty enough, however...and if you like potatoes, there are an abundance in the bowl.

The barkeep also details his menu for the moment (lunch), and hints there might be special drinks available, should you have the coin to spare.

A room costs 1 silver per day. No meals included.

Food

For 1 copper:

- Rice and peas
- Millet bread and whey cheese

For 2 copper:

- Barbecued gopher legs on a stick (sauce options: mild, medium, or "scorching")
- Porridge
- Vegetable stew

Drinks

- Ale (mug) - 4 cp
- Wine (glass) - 6 cp

It doesn't take much prodding to get the barkeep to talk:

"Sure, everyone knows about the missin' folks. Would haveta live under a rock not to. I...lost my barmaid, actually. Halfling named Teeka. Good gal, lit up every room she was in. She was the second to go missin', so...."

The man, who seemed so stern when you entered, now wipes a tear from his eye.

"Sorry. Ain't like me to get all weepy. If ya are tryin' to find those folks, good luck to ya. I'd love to see Teeka back here, chattering up a storm, bustling about, flirting with everyone...it's probably a faint hope, but...."

He steps away to collect his thoughts. The dreadlocked woman also sitting at the bar glanced at you while you were talking, but then continued staring into the middle distance while she sipped an ale. Only after the barkeep steps away does she speak to you, her words lacking any emotion:

"Do you plan on searching for the missing?"

The boisterous conversation between the gnome and the two men continues, so they don't hear you...or if they can, somehow, they don't pay you any mind.

"Ya, that's my intention. Do you have any desire to join?"

The woman gives you a searching look. Now that she's turned towards you fully, you can see her entire face: dark war paint around her eyes, sharp angles, a cold or haunted expression.

"That depends, stranger. I'm used to traveling alone, and I have my own code. I have no desire to ally with evil-doers, or those who drift whichever way the wind blows. There are dark forces at work in those woods; I seek to destroy them, not mollify or join them."

"My name is Alice Everton, and should your values align with mine, I'd be honored to join you. Now: tell me about yourself and your goals."

"I've been tasked with exploring the woods to find the missing people and bring them back. My goal is to put a stop to whatever is causing the disappearances, but I'm not sure about destroyubg things. You're welcome to join me, and when we get to the 'destroy the evil'part, I'll let you go do your thing by yourself."

Alice arches an eyebrow, and takes a moment to respond.

"Very well. We will travel together...for now. To be clear: I'm not a hireling, so no need to pay me up front. I do, however, expect a fair share of any loot. Greed doesn't motivate me, but I still must earn enough to survive."

She motions to the gnome and the two men.

"I thought the little one said he was a cleric, but his frivolity...concerned me. But with you along, it should balance out the excesses of his personality. We can ask him to join if you wish. I've also heard a wizard named Veronica lives here, so we might consult her also."

"Sounds good! Maybe the wizard would be good to include in our party- we could use a good spellcaster. And I heard she used to be a adventurer and might have knowledge that can help us. How about I go collect her and you can go gather supplies. I have 5 gold you can use if that covers things."

Also, would it be too much to ask Sven to act as our tour guide? I don't know if that counts as him in the party or just around as an NPC.

Alice waves away the coins.

"I'd rather go with you, to meet this Veronica. As I said, I don't travel with just anyone, and this woman has been described as eccentric; I want to be sure she's tolerable. I've also heard she's semi-retired from adventuring, whatever that means. It may take both of us to convince her to join."

"As for gathering supplies...I'd resign yourself to doing without certain things. The shop here is truly pathetic...though it's not exactly the owner's fault, as you'll learn if you talk to him."

"So, Lydia...what's our destination?"

[b]"How about you just go grab the essentials and we can meet back here in an hour. I'll bring the wizard if she wants to join us and you can give her a full inspection then. The two/three of us can go to Sven afterwards."

Assuming Alice agrees, I set off to find Veronica.

Alice appears ready to argue, but then makes a noise that's a cross between a sigh and a growl. She reaches for the 5 gold you offered, and will take it unless you object.

"Fine. But I need to know what you mean by 'essentials.' Assuming this closet-sized shop even has what you're looking for...."

You make your way to the outskirts of town, eventually finding a small one-story cottage. The yard is overrun with weeds, the porch is slanted, and much of the roof is covered with moss.

A black cat sits on the porch, its yellow eyes tracking you as you come closer. When you reach the front door, it saunters slowly over and lets out a strange "Meow." The door creaks open, revealing an impossibly messy interior. Books, dishes, cutlery, plants (most of them dead), and countless knick-knacks are strewn about.

A pale woman whose favorite colors are clearly black and red lounges on a scuffed couch, a book in her hand.

"Oh, piss off, Wayland! You've never even seen a manticore, much less an empyrean!"

She flings the book across the room, where it knocks over a small table that held at least five other books, plus one wine bottle. The woman seems unconcerned about the additional mess she caused.

"Gods, why can't I find...hey! What're you doing here?!"

She jumps to her feet and marches over, circling you like a vulture. But then she notices the black cat, which has now perched on a windowsill, and lets out a peal of laughter.

"Oh, so Baxter let you in? No harm, no foul...at least for your part! But Baxter will get his punishment later, believe me!"

The cat briefly glances at the woman, then resumes licking its fur. The woman sticks out her tongue at it, then turns back to you.

"Name's Veronica Zaun. What can I do you for?"

"You're a grown woman, just get what you think we might need." With that, I head off to see Veronica.

Awesome! I head to see Veronica then. I assume you want set the scene. I think I'll try to forage some wild flowers as a gift for her on the way.

Oh, I see it now, sorry. It was hiding before mine. Also I love the way Veronica looks.

"I'm investigating the missing people who went out in the woods. It's thought that the Valencrests are involved, though I haven't seen any evidence of that yet. I was hoping a wise witch such as yourself might be able to share some wisdom with a traveler before the journey. I also wanted to extend an invitation to you to join our party. I know sometimes those in retirement find themselves itching to get back in the action one more time. Plus we could definitely use a spellcaster."