Local knowledge (that you can all be assumed to know as Olivessa would have briefed you on what she knows about the towns)
Walking into Easthaven is like stepping into Icewind Dale’s past—the place is a living example of the boomtown way of life that gripped all of Ten-Towns centuries ago. In the generations since, as other towns have settled into a predictable pattern of existence, Easthaven has continued to grow and reinvent itself. After the Eastway was paved, Easthaven evolved into a frontier traders’ paradise, fueling the jealousy of its neighbors.
Easthaven’s founders were thieves from the Duchy of Cape Velen, on a peninsula far to the south. They refused to kowtow to a powerful thieves’ guild and were driven out. To this day, Easthaven honours its shady founders by declaring pickpocketing legal within the town limits—which explains the “Watch thy pouch!” signs posted in various local establishments.
Easthaven in a Nutshell Friendliness ❄❄ Services ❄❄❄ Comfort ❄❄❄
Population. 750.
Leaders. Speaker Danneth Waylen, respected for his humility and forthrightness. Captain Imdra Arlaggath commands the town’s militia.
Militia. Easthaven can muster up to 150 soldiers and 12 veterans.
Heraldry. A snowflake at the top center of a steel-gray field, above a horizontal brown field that forms the left-hand base, and a dark blue field that forms the right-hand base; where they meet is a thin white tower. The brown field represents the Eastway, the tower represents the town, and the blue field is Lac Dinneshere.
After 4.5 hours of travel you arrive at Easthaven. You make your way to the town hall to speak to the Speaker but find your way is blocked because a crowd has gathered in front of the Town Hall to watch the public execution of Dzaan, a human wizard who, despite efforts to disguise himself, was recognized and arrested for the crimes he has inflicted upon dale-folk. He has been bound to a stake and gagged. Members of the militia use torches to light the straw tucked around his feet. Fanned by the wind, the fire catches quickly. Dzaan does not struggle or scream as he is quickly engulfed in flames. Bundled-up spectators move closer to the human bonfire, eager to feel its warmth.
A woman bedecked in a tailored coat and a fur hat approaches you as people huddle around the burning wizard. "Greetings, I am Imdra Arlaggath, captain of Easthaven’s militia. And you are not from here. If you don't mind me asking, who are you, where are you from, and what purpose do you have in Easthaven? I know this might seem a bit extreme to be asking, but I like to know who is in my town."
"Our respects to you, Captain Arlaggath" the foreign traveler bows her head respectfully as she greets the other. "Etriel Darastrix, newly elected Speaker of Good Mead, with her most trusted associates," she waves the rest of the party "at your service".
"Our visit is intended to cement the relationship between our towns and our people" the eladrin huntress goes on. "And it seems to us that perhaps, in friendship, we could be of assistance in a matter, perhaps related to the execution that is taking place. If so, you can count on us. Among the reasons that led to my election, there is precisely the aptitude, mine and of my company, to solve dangerous problems that not everyone would be able to handle".
Neldak will have watched the burning of the wizard with an uncomfortable expression which deepens as the crowd gathers closer to bonfire. And is still lost in thought as the captain approaches. He'll listen to Eriel's response then his eyes drift back to the bonfire. "What did this man do to warrant being burned alive instead of being the next sacrifice to Auril?"
Danon has a similar look of distaste on his face briefly, then tries to have a passive look. He does not seek warmth from the burning wizard bonfire, able to warm himself quite well on his own. He looks to Imdra, saying “Danon Fingil, associate of Speaker Darastrix, thank you for your ….welcome. I wish it would have been under better times. I too would like to hear more about the case of this wizard. There were rumors that we heard that there might be more trouble about, perhaps related to this Dzaan? We may be of aid to you, and we have interest in forming good relations between Easthaven and Good Mead…” Danon crosses his arms behind his back and stands at attention, standing beside Etriel.
Cirim also is thrown off by the public burning, but holds her tongue. She wants to tell the guard that she is here to stop the endless winter, anything else is a distraction, but she knows that allies and information is what is needed now, so she waits as the others ask there questions.
A map of the town (if it doesn't have a name, I have no additional information relating to it):
"Welcome Speaker Darastrix. I was aware of the unfortunate events at Good Mead, and had heard of the election just I wasn't aware that we would have a visit from you so soon. This execution is a standalone event luckily. He coldly murdered some adventurers that helped Icewind Dale previously, and this execution is an act of deterrence from future people engaging in similar manners. As for why he wasn't the next sacrifice, being the sacrifice is not a punishment. We hold lotteries the afternoon before the new moon. The unlucky person whose name is drawn is sacrificed at nightfall. The ill-fated soul is stripped bare and either tied to a post or sent into the tundra to die. The same process is followed in Bryn Shander and Targos. If it is not random, it is not going to appease Auril. Also, he was not from this town so is not a valid option anyway." She thinks for a minute."That all being said, there is another matter you could look into for me if you are willing, and I can set up a meeting with Speaker Waylen while you are doing this. Four fishers went missing on Lac Dinneshere a tenday ago. The coastline is hard to sail along because of the ice floes, but savvy anglers prefer it—there are fewer competing fishers from the other lake towns there. We need someone to scout the coastline and search for them.”
"My most heartfelt thanks, Captain Arlaggath" the foreign traveler smiles. "It will be a pleasure both to meet Speaker Waylen and to look for the missing fishers. Please, give us directions to Lac Dinneshere. It's better if we go right now, there'a probably no time to lose".
Neldak is a bit more stoic that usual as he listens to the captain's response and seems glad to follow Etriel on the task to locate the lost fishermen.
"All the towns sacrifice something. Only the three of us I mentioned sacrifice people. This is a new practice that started a little over a year ago, when it became clear that Auril was angry and summer would not be returning anytime soon. The town speakers, well those at the time Speaker Darastrix, unanimously agreed to honour these practices, which they consider necessary evils, but from what I hear they would end them in a heartbeat if Auril were to be appeased or dealt with in some other way. Nothing will happen if we don't do it. And that is the issue, we would rather try something to get a change than try nothing and live like this forever."
Then she points at the massive lake behind the town hall. "That is Lac Dinneshere. They were aboard a boat called Bunch o’ Knuckleheads. I heard they started at the Wet Trout and headed from there so maybe follow the coast east"
"This Auril does not seem easy to please..." Etriel Darastrix murmurs, matter-of-factly, given that no sacrifice seems to have moved her so far. "Maybe we should go and speak to her, sooner or later..."
But first things first: there are defenseless humans to save - and a Speaker to befriend to boot. The Eladrin Huntress start heading to the lake, slowly chanting to Sehanine Moonbow to have assistance in her travel and hunt.
The foreign traveler starts following the coast east, looking for clues and ready for trouble...
[[ Etriel Darastrix casts Mage Armor, then Guidance, then starts looking for the missing humans... ]]
“Do you know anything about the men, any clues as to what happened? Were they a regular crew who had a routine and just never returned after a day of fishing? Anything that you know about them that would indicate any reason they may have left the area?” Danon is making ready to travel as well.
“Do you know anything about the men, any clues as to what happened? Were they a regular crew who had a routine and just never returned after a day of fishing? Anything that you know about them that would indicate any reason they may have left the area?” Danon is making ready to travel as well.
"They are a regular crew, and they do have a regular fishing spot in that direction too. You might be worth to check it out. I can give you a letter bearing my seal that will allow you access to a boat from the angler docks. The lake is mostly frozen. Only the hardiest anglers venture out to fish for knucklehead trout. To wrangle such a catch, fishers must drag their boats across the ice to open water and wait patiently out on the lake in the freezing cold for hours at a time. To fend off the chill, they often bring bottles of ale to keep warm. It wouldn't be the first time someone has drunk too much and then been pulled overboard by a trout into the freezing water. But to have a whole crew not return? That is unheard of."
"If the characters need a boat, they can borrow one from the angler docks and drag it across the ice to the open water. A rowboat can hold up to four Medium characters, while a single-masted skiff can hold up to eight. A skiff requires at least one crew member who has proficiency with water vehicles."
Etriel Darastrix, who had already begun to set off on foot, stops to assess the situation: "I personally feel more comfortable on foot, Lord Neldak. I fear that traveling on the lake could force us to split into several boats and, in general, limit our mobility more, in case of danger or clashes. I would therefore suggest leaving this choice as a last resort, if we were to discover that we must reach a destination that requires a boat".
"Unless you, Lord Neldak," the foreign traveler bows her head for a moment in a sign of respect "or other natives of these lands, see advantages in traveling on the lake that escape me, less experienced in these places".
"If the fishermen are stranded out on the lake, we may not be able to reach them from the shore. And we'd lose valuable time coming back for a boat. You definitely don't want to go swimming in these cold waters. Even falling throw thin ice could be deadly." Neldak replies.
"I see" Etriel Darastrix is not enthusiastic, but seems willing to adapt. "In that case, I thank you for the valuable advice, Lord Neldak. We will move by boat from the beginning".
"But I do not have experience as a sailor yet..." the foreign traveler admits "So, if we are all in my condition, we will have to take two small boats, easy to maneuver even by an inexperienced crew".
“Thank you for your letter, Imdra. I believe we will need that boat. We will search and try to solve the mystery.” He accompanies Etriel and Neldak, looking for the boats to begin the search.
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Local knowledge (that you can all be assumed to know as Olivessa would have briefed you on what she knows about the towns)
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
After 4.5 hours of travel you arrive at Easthaven. You make your way to the town hall to speak to the Speaker but find your way is blocked because a crowd has gathered in front of the Town Hall to watch the public execution of Dzaan, a human wizard who, despite efforts to disguise himself, was recognized and arrested for the crimes he has inflicted upon dale-folk. He has been bound to a stake and gagged. Members of the militia use torches to light the straw tucked around his feet. Fanned by the wind, the fire catches quickly. Dzaan does not struggle or scream as he is quickly engulfed in flames. Bundled-up spectators move closer to the human bonfire, eager to feel its warmth.
A woman bedecked in a tailored coat and a fur hat approaches you as people huddle around the burning wizard. "Greetings, I am Imdra Arlaggath, captain of Easthaven’s militia. And you are not from here. If you don't mind me asking, who are you, where are you from, and what purpose do you have in Easthaven? I know this might seem a bit extreme to be asking, but I like to know who is in my town."
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
"Our respects to you, Captain Arlaggath" the foreign traveler bows her head respectfully as she greets the other. "Etriel Darastrix, newly elected Speaker of Good Mead, with her most trusted associates," she waves the rest of the party "at your service".
"Our visit is intended to cement the relationship between our towns and our people" the eladrin huntress goes on. "And it seems to us that perhaps, in friendship, we could be of assistance in a matter, perhaps related to the execution that is taking place. If so, you can count on us. Among the reasons that led to my election, there is precisely the aptitude, mine and of my company, to solve dangerous problems that not everyone would be able to handle".
Neldak will have watched the burning of the wizard with an uncomfortable expression which deepens as the crowd gathers closer to bonfire. And is still lost in thought as the captain approaches. He'll listen to Eriel's response then his eyes drift back to the bonfire. "What did this man do to warrant being burned alive instead of being the next sacrifice to Auril?"
Danon has a similar look of distaste on his face briefly, then tries to have a passive look. He does not seek warmth from the burning wizard bonfire, able to warm himself quite well on his own. He looks to Imdra, saying “Danon Fingil, associate of Speaker Darastrix, thank you for your ….welcome. I wish it would have been under better times. I too would like to hear more about the case of this wizard. There were rumors that we heard that there might be more trouble about, perhaps related to this Dzaan? We may be of aid to you, and we have interest in forming good relations between Easthaven and Good Mead…” Danon crosses his arms behind his back and stands at attention, standing beside Etriel.
Cirim also is thrown off by the public burning, but holds her tongue. She wants to tell the guard that she is here to stop the endless winter, anything else is a distraction, but she knows that allies and information is what is needed now, so she waits as the others ask there questions.
A map of the town (if it doesn't have a name, I have no additional information relating to it):
"Welcome Speaker Darastrix. I was aware of the unfortunate events at Good Mead, and had heard of the election just I wasn't aware that we would have a visit from you so soon. This execution is a standalone event luckily. He coldly murdered some adventurers that helped Icewind Dale previously, and this execution is an act of deterrence from future people engaging in similar manners. As for why he wasn't the next sacrifice, being the sacrifice is not a punishment. We hold lotteries the afternoon before the new moon. The unlucky person whose name is drawn is sacrificed at nightfall. The ill-fated soul is stripped bare and either tied to a post or sent into the tundra to die. The same process is followed in Bryn Shander and Targos. If it is not random, it is not going to appease Auril. Also, he was not from this town so is not a valid option anyway." She thinks for a minute. "That all being said, there is another matter you could look into for me if you are willing, and I can set up a meeting with Speaker Waylen while you are doing this. Four fishers went missing on Lac Dinneshere a tenday ago. The coastline is hard to sail along because of the ice floes, but savvy anglers prefer it—there are fewer competing fishers from the other lake towns there. We need someone to scout the coastline and search for them.”
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
"My most heartfelt thanks, Captain Arlaggath" the foreign traveler smiles. "It will be a pleasure both to meet Speaker Waylen and to look for the missing fishers. Please, give us directions to Lac Dinneshere. It's better if we go right now, there'a probably no time to lose".
Neldak is a bit more stoic that usual as he listens to the captain's response and seems glad to follow Etriel on the task to locate the lost fishermen.
"Do all of the towns of Icewind Dale offer a sacrifice? What happens if you do no do it?" the cleric asks.
"All the towns sacrifice something. Only the three of us I mentioned sacrifice people. This is a new practice that started a little over a year ago, when it became clear that Auril was angry and summer would not be returning anytime soon. The town speakers, well those at the time Speaker Darastrix, unanimously agreed to honour these practices, which they consider necessary evils, but from what I hear they would end them in a heartbeat if Auril were to be appeased or dealt with in some other way. Nothing will happen if we don't do it. And that is the issue, we would rather try something to get a change than try nothing and live like this forever."
Then she points at the massive lake behind the town hall. "That is Lac Dinneshere. They were aboard a boat called Bunch o’ Knuckleheads. I heard they started at the Wet Trout and headed from there so maybe follow the coast east"
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
"This Auril does not seem easy to please..." Etriel Darastrix murmurs, matter-of-factly, given that no sacrifice seems to have moved her so far. "Maybe we should go and speak to her, sooner or later..."
But first things first: there are defenseless humans to save - and a Speaker to befriend to boot. The Eladrin Huntress start heading to the lake, slowly chanting to Sehanine Moonbow to have assistance in her travel and hunt.
The foreign traveler starts following the coast east, looking for clues and ready for trouble...
[[ Etriel Darastrix casts Mage Armor, then Guidance, then starts looking for the missing humans... ]]
“Do you know anything about the men, any clues as to what happened? Were they a regular crew who had a routine and just never returned after a day of fishing? Anything that you know about them that would indicate any reason they may have left the area?” Danon is making ready to travel as well.
"She's not." Neldak mutters in response to Etriel. He'll follow, ready to search the coast after Danon's questions are answered.
"They are a regular crew, and they do have a regular fishing spot in that direction too. You might be worth to check it out. I can give you a letter bearing my seal that will allow you access to a boat from the angler docks. The lake is mostly frozen. Only the hardiest anglers venture out to fish for knucklehead trout. To wrangle such a catch, fishers must drag their boats across the ice to open water and wait patiently out on the lake in the freezing cold for hours at a time. To fend off the chill, they often bring bottles of ale to keep warm. It wouldn't be the first time someone has drunk too much and then been pulled overboard by a trout into the freezing water. But to have a whole crew not return? That is unheard of."
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
"Should we scout the coast first or take to the water?" Neldak asks the group, silently counting the five of them.
Etriel Darastrix, who had already begun to set off on foot, stops to assess the situation: "I personally feel more comfortable on foot, Lord Neldak. I fear that traveling on the lake could force us to split into several boats and, in general, limit our mobility more, in case of danger or clashes. I would therefore suggest leaving this choice as a last resort, if we were to discover that we must reach a destination that requires a boat".
"Unless you, Lord Neldak," the foreign traveler bows her head for a moment in a sign of respect "or other natives of these lands, see advantages in traveling on the lake that escape me, less experienced in these places".
"If the fishermen are stranded out on the lake, we may not be able to reach them from the shore. And we'd lose valuable time coming back for a boat. You definitely don't want to go swimming in these cold waters. Even falling throw thin ice could be deadly." Neldak replies.
"I see" Etriel Darastrix is not enthusiastic, but seems willing to adapt. "In that case, I thank you for the valuable advice, Lord Neldak. We will move by boat from the beginning".
"But I do not have experience as a sailor yet..." the foreign traveler admits "So, if we are all in my condition, we will have to take two small boats, easy to maneuver even by an inexperienced crew".
“Thank you for your letter, Imdra. I believe we will need that boat. We will search and try to solve the mystery.” He accompanies Etriel and Neldak, looking for the boats to begin the search.