Lost Land of Ror'nav

Catherine leads the group through the buildings and into the thoroughfare. There are not many people walking around, maybe 5 or 6 that you can see to your left or right, but it is roughly midday so the majority of people could be working. The closest person is the blacksmith hammering away. Catherine, as you call out to him, he gives the piece of metal one last strike before setting the hammer down. He stands up straight and turns to view the unexpected company. He is a black haired man, salt and peppered sides, and a handlebar mustache. He's dressed in clothing typical of the trade; soot covered pants, sweat stained shirt with pushed up sleeves, and a leather apron with some various tools within the pouch. His arms hang to his sides and he stares at you with a vacant gaze.

Finishing up your introduction, the smith looks slowly over all of you before speaking in a mono toned voice with a hint of a foreign accent, "Yes, your presence has been expected. You are in Vil'malish, and we welcome you. How may I be of service?" He continues looking at you all expressionless.

‘’Expected? I’m sorry, but all of this is a little bizarre. A day ago, we were told that this place was a uninhabited ruin. How can this place even exist?’’

Sieghart looks around, trying to see if anything looks out of place for a quaint little town like this.

(Make a perception check, Sieghart.)

"That's right, expected. A group from the north, also claiming to be from Kirsk, came in early yesterday evening inquiring about a group arriving from the south. They wreaked much havoc during night and we attempted to capture them. Most escaped our grasp, but we have one in the stockades at the center of town. The lord is eager to question him... As for your concern about our existence, just know that we have always been here. We previously did not know about your presence on our island prior to yesterday."

Perception check (which I assume doesn't get x2 proficiency since we're in a town): 16

(Correct)

You look around and you see buildings lining the street about 75ft to your right and 150ft to your left. Both end in sharp turns heading north. There are some people walking around that have taken note of your presence, but nothing is striking you as odd or out of place. There is another person walking your way, but they are not approaching you all.

Arlo takes a slow walk around, not really leaving the group at all. He just wants to get close enough to touch the buildings and see inside. He’s looking for signs of illusion, or deceptive appearances.

investigation/insight same modifier 7

You approach a wall of blacksmith's building where farming equipment hangs, presumably for sale. You reach out and drag your finger over the face of a hand scythe, halfway expecting your hand to go through, only to feel cool, smooth iron. Your eyes drift to the open doorway seeing a few squat barrels and open crates of various minerals, along with an array of tools. You walk left to the the space between the smith's building and another only to find a vacant alleyway that ends maybe 200 ft away into the backside of a two story wooden structure. As far as you can see this is a legitimate town.

''Could we see this prisoner of yours? I believe we may have question for him of our own.''

"I don't see why that would be a problem. Take that right," pointing towards an intersection to your all's left, "and follow the road til you reach the square. There you'll find the stockades. You can't miss it." Hand still pointing after he finishes speaking, and never breaking his strange eye contact with you all... A creepy grin slowly forms on his previously emotionless face, "Is there anything else I can help you with?"

Catherine gives the strange man a distrustful look, saying nothing. The situation appears strange to her though she cannot yet say why. She is, however, quite sure that this is not Vil'malish, not as it was meant to be. Not as it once was. What was this place really? Only one way to find out. With a grunt, she turns from the blacksmith and makes her way down the street, following the directions that he gave. Perhaps this "prisoner" would be more useful.

Sieghart follows Catherine down the street. He tries to keep up with her.

''Tell me I'm not the only one that thinks there something fishy going on around here. That blacksmith was shifty.''

He has a general feeling of unease in this town, even though everything seems normal. They'll have to wait and get answers from the prisoner.

"Nay, you are not the only one. This land is abandoned," Catherine states firmly. "My people fled this land, and not for nothing. There is some manner of magic afoot."

You all set off from the blacksmith towards the square. As you make the corner your eyes instinctually look back at the strange man only to catch a glimpse of him still starring at you all.

The road before you has buildings of different sizes and serve their various functions. You pass a handful of denizens as you walk. Some of the people are walking the opposite way while others are leaning against buildings. As you pass each one, their hollow gaze tracks you.

The road opens up after about 200 ft. The square before you is an open circular space lined with dead store shops and empty taverns. The square can be divided into quadrants, as there are four roads that lead from here. One quadrant is populated by market stands with colorful tarps covering them. There is no one there and nothing to purchase.

The center of the square features a raised stone platform with four stockades set up for one to face each street. The so called prisoner is locked up in the stockades facing the north (opposite facing of your group). He's not moving, but he is conscious as he is holding himself up.

After slipping into a semi conscious state, Lucas jolted alert to the sound of footsteps behind him. His neck was stiff and he noticed pain in his wrists. He realized he had nodded off for a minute, which was not surprising because he barely had any sleep the night before. His knees were starting to wobble from supporting his weight in the uncomfortable position for hours.

He tried to stretch his arms and torso to get into a more relaxed position, but the stocks were tight fitting and barely allowed him to adjust his body for comfort.

With a dry throat he croaked,

"Hey, who's there? What do you want from me?"

Happy goes closer and leans in to whisper: 

“We are the second Pathfinding group. Why are you held captive. What is going on here. This city feels off, in fact it shouldn’t even be here.”

Lucas replies with a hushed voice

”You are the party from the South? I’m Lucas from Ilba. Wow, I can’t believe my luck. You need to get me out of here!”

He pauses after realizing he was speaking much louder than intended. 

(Just out of curiosity, does everyone know what each other's race is? Nox is a Drow and everyone is unsure what Helio is because she wears a mask. The details of what she looks like escapes me due to all of her content being deleted. Her eyes do have a golden glow to them, but that's all you can see as far as facial features go.)

(Sieghart looks and is human)

Quote from SavageVince >>

(Sieghart looks and is human)

 Same for Arlo

Catherine stands before Lucas and eyes him warily, considering whether or not to begin breaking the stocks with her axe. Not yet, she thinks. This man does appear more... natural, than the town surrounding him, though.

"Tell us what happened to you," she demands of the prisoner. She won't be difficult to convince, but Catherine still requires a bare minimum of information before acting.

(Catherine is a human, perhaps a bit large, but otherwise has no unusual features)