Snow gently falls from the sky and wind bites your cheeks as you stand in the graveyard of Palebank Village, a fishing outpost of Uthodurn that is home to several hundred dwarves and elves. The sun is low in the sky, sinking behind the fresh grave of Urgon Wenth, an old dwarf who caught a curse or disease that turned him into an ice statue. The folk of the village have gathered to pay their final respects to Urgon’s frozen remains.
Take this moment to introduce yourselves to each other and explain what brings you here.
Lia is a young wood elf. By human standards she looks perhaps late teens, but she's approaching her first century. She’s fairly small and slight, but quick and graceful. She wears amber-coloured clothes, the colour of trumpet-mushrooms or autumn leaves. The fabric is light and floaty. It wraps tightly around her body in places, and billows and flaps in the breeze in others. The cloth is tied with a dark sash around her waist, and ankle- and wrist-wraps of a more muted shade. She has a beautiful elven shortbow and a slender quarterstaff slung over her back.
Lia has been frequenting the village of Palebank for a few weeks now. She spends most of her time a little way out of town in the wilds meditating or training.
If anyone has been in and around the area, they may have seen her or even spoken with her.
She heard about the strange circumstances of the dwarf’s death, and stands now, near the back, to pay her respects. She didn’t know him, but as a monk she likes to observe these traditions...
Kathrine is a cummly human woman with chestnut colored hair and brilliant blue eyes. She wears scale mail armor, over a tunic, with stockings and leather boots. Over the armor she has on a thick cloak to help against the cold.
On the breast of her armor is the symbol of a waterfall plunging into a still pool. Some might recognize this as the symbol of Eldath, goddess of peace.
Having been in the region to pray at a pool shrine to Eldath, Kathrine came to see the deceased off, and to learn more about what had befallen him.
Calosis a strange creature up on the icy surface of Palebank, a blue-skinned man with reddish brown hair, and gills below his neck. His attire sticks out like a sore thumb - his coat, while nice-looking and (at least somewhat) appropriate for the occasion, is a very light one, and he doesn't appear to be shivering, or chilly at all, despite the bitter cold.
He'd been in the village only a day or two, managing to get himself a room in the local inn, and for the most part has been walking around town, observing the village of Palebank and its citizens. This was apparently a ceremonial event of some sort, seemed like an interesting thing to watch. He stands at the back of the crowd as well, though one might see him fidgeting a bit as he watches the solemn ceremony.
'Paying respects'... it was called. Calos didn't know who the man was, or what he did to command the respect of everyone here. Must be something pretty important.
Bides Lundaktis a tall human, sturdy in frame and stature, and athletic build, brown eyes, black hair, and olive skin. he stands silent, looking as if deep in thought. at his belt, there is a flail, and on his back there is a small buckler.
after a a minute or 2, he walks over to one of the locals
"so this man passed due to a curse? can you give me more information? what happened before his death? has this happened to others in the town?"
Bides Lundaktis a tall human, sturdy in frame and stature, and athletic build, brown eyes, black hair, and olive skin. he stands silent, looking as if deep in thought. at his belt, there is a flail, and on his back there is a small buckler.
after a a minute or 2, he walks over to one of the locals
"so this man passed due to a curse? can you give me more information? what happened before his death? has this happened to others in the town?"
The local looks to Bides and points back towards Urgon's grave and says, "You'd best talk to Elro Aldataur. He knows what's going on."
A weathered elf, retired ranger, and the leader of the village, Elro Aldataur gathers the newcomers together and says, "Thank you for attending Urgon’s service. I’m sorry to speak of dark tidings under such circumstances, but I believe that Palebank Village might be in danger, and I’m hoping you can help us.”
Lia nods politely at the other newcomers, as they all gather around the older elf. She gives ElroAldataur a kindly and respectful martial-arts bow. “Town-master Aldataur, what’s happening here? And how might we help?...”.
Elro looks each of the adventures in the eye and says,"About two months ago, Urgon Wenth returned home after exploring Eiselcross for a year. He had been back only for a few days when he came down with a strange affliction, which made the dwarf move slowly and caused blue veins to appear all over his body."
You can see the worry increasing as Elro's ears seem to droop as he continues, "The village’s priests of Moradin and Corellon used every spell they could muster to attempt to heal Urgon, but nothing they tried could stop the bizarre malady. Urgon battled the affliction for weeks until his ever-slowing body eventually turned to ice."
"Until yesterday, I and the rest of the community believed that Urgon’s sad fate was an isolated incident, most likely caused by something the dwarf came into contact with while exploring Eiselcross. I noticed Tulgi Lutan, a dwarf trapper, showing signs of the same illness. I tried to talk to Tulgi about it, but she pushed me away, asking that I let her die in peace."
"I tried to ask Tulgi about her dealings with Urgon but she would just push me away. I even sent other members of the Glassblades to talk to her but she seems to distrust law enforcement."
"Maybe you all should go and talk to her. Since you aren't with the Glassblades she might be more willing to share some information."
"As for other villages, the closest one would be around 75 miles away to the east."
"The Glassblades are what the local militia is called. We do our best to keep the peace but disease is beyond our abilities."
"Tulgi lives on the outskirts of town not far from where Urgon lived. If you all are willing to help me out I can throw some coin your way to make it less of a burden on you."
"Coin is always welcome." Kathrine says with a nod of acceptance. "I for one wish to talk to this Tulgi." She looks to the others. "Who wishes to accompany me?"
Lia, nods too. “If I can help, I would be glad to”, she says with another small bow and follows the others as they head off to start the investigation.
"I can offer a sum of 100 gold pieces if you can help me get to the bottom of this problem. I can take you Urgon's cottage and then point you to Tulgi's hut. I regret that I don't have a map on me at the moment."
Elro begins to lead the group to the north passing through the main part of town towards the northern outskirts to Urgon's cottage.
"I'm worried if Tulgi sees me she won't talk to you so you have to travel to her cottage on your own. If you want to look in Urgon's cottage while we are there I can let you in. Maybe you can find something I might have missed."
"Thank you." Kathrine says with a smile. At the first cottage she glances to the others. "I can aid two of you, creating a bond between you, and helping you help each other." She looks between the group. "Right now we need someone who is good at noticing things and someone who is good at searching for things... Which of us would that be?"
Kathrine is going to use emboldening bond on two of the party members. This gives them the ability to add 1d4 to all saves, ability checks, and attacks for the next ten minutes. It would be best to use it on ones good at perception and investigation, as we are going to be looking for clues I assume. Kathrine is possible for the perception part, but I would prefer to use it on two other people.
Once that is done she will also cast guidance on whomever is going to be searching (investigation.) This will make their bonus 2d4.
Lia will turn to Kathrine, and say, “Kathrine, isn’t it? We met briefly near the pool shrine to Eldath.... I have some small skill when it comes to investigating. And I would gladly receive your emboldening bond, if you think me worthy... and if you would grant it to me”. She is happy to be chosen, but won’t be offended if better candidates present themselves.
If chosen she lowers her gaze and bows her head slightly, not knowing exactly how to receive this boon.
((if Lia is chosen (she has +2 investigation, +5 perception), I’ll roll investigation +2d4 for the house))
Snow gently falls from the sky and wind bites your cheeks as you stand in the graveyard of Palebank Village, a fishing outpost of Uthodurn that is home to several hundred dwarves and elves. The sun is low in the sky, sinking behind the fresh grave of Urgon Wenth, an old dwarf who caught a curse or disease that turned him into an ice statue. The folk of the village have gathered to pay their final respects to Urgon’s frozen remains.
Take this moment to introduce yourselves to each other and explain what brings you here.
Lia is a young wood elf. By human standards she looks perhaps late teens, but she's approaching her first century. She’s fairly small and slight, but quick and graceful. She wears amber-coloured clothes, the colour of trumpet-mushrooms or autumn leaves. The fabric is light and floaty. It wraps tightly around her body in places, and billows and flaps in the breeze in others. The cloth is tied with a dark sash around her waist, and ankle- and wrist-wraps of a more muted shade. She has a beautiful elven shortbow and a slender quarterstaff slung over her back.
Lia has been frequenting the village of Palebank for a few weeks now. She spends most of her time a little way out of town in the wilds meditating or training.
If anyone has been in and around the area, they may have seen her or even spoken with her.
She heard about the strange circumstances of the dwarf’s death, and stands now, near the back, to pay her respects. She didn’t know him, but as a monk she likes to observe these traditions...
Portrait:-
GILLAIN OF ATHKATLA - Human Paladin - Into the Mists PHILLIP THE GRUNG - Grung Eldritch Knight - Tomb of Annihilation
ROBWIN WINDROBE - High Elf Wizard - Dragon of Icespire Peak EVE DARKSHORE - Tiefling Warlock - Rime of the Frost Maiden
ASH OF THE FIRE - Tabaxi Rogue - Ghosts of Marshswamp LIA STARBORN - Aasimar Bard - Out of the Abyss
Kathrine is a cummly human woman with chestnut colored hair and brilliant blue eyes. She wears scale mail armor, over a tunic, with stockings and leather boots. Over the armor she has on a thick cloak to help against the cold.
On the breast of her armor is the symbol of a waterfall plunging into a still pool. Some might recognize this as the symbol of Eldath, goddess of peace.
Having been in the region to pray at a pool shrine to Eldath, Kathrine came to see the deceased off, and to learn more about what had befallen him.
Calos is a strange creature up on the icy surface of Palebank, a blue-skinned man with reddish brown hair, and gills below his neck. His attire sticks out like a sore thumb - his coat, while nice-looking and (at least somewhat) appropriate for the occasion, is a very light one, and he doesn't appear to be shivering, or chilly at all, despite the bitter cold.
He'd been in the village only a day or two, managing to get himself a room in the local inn, and for the most part has been walking around town, observing the village of Palebank and its citizens. This was apparently a ceremonial event of some sort, seemed like an interesting thing to watch. He stands at the back of the crowd as well, though one might see him fidgeting a bit as he watches the solemn ceremony.
'Paying respects'... it was called. Calos didn't know who the man was, or what he did to command the respect of everyone here. Must be something pretty important.
Portrait:
I am an average mathematics enjoyer.
>Extended Signature<
The local looks to Bides and points back towards Urgon's grave and says, "You'd best talk to Elro Aldataur. He knows what's going on."
A weathered elf, retired ranger, and the leader of the village, Elro Aldataur gathers the newcomers together and says, "Thank you for attending Urgon’s service. I’m sorry to speak of dark tidings under such circumstances, but I believe that Palebank Village might be in danger, and I’m hoping you can help us.”
Lia nods politely at the other newcomers, as they all gather around the older elf. She gives Elro Aldataur a kindly and respectful martial-arts bow. “Town-master Aldataur, what’s happening here? And how might we help?...”.
GILLAIN OF ATHKATLA - Human Paladin - Into the Mists PHILLIP THE GRUNG - Grung Eldritch Knight - Tomb of Annihilation
ROBWIN WINDROBE - High Elf Wizard - Dragon of Icespire Peak EVE DARKSHORE - Tiefling Warlock - Rime of the Frost Maiden
ASH OF THE FIRE - Tabaxi Rogue - Ghosts of Marshswamp LIA STARBORN - Aasimar Bard - Out of the Abyss
Elro looks each of the adventures in the eye and says,"About two months ago, Urgon Wenth returned home after exploring Eiselcross for a year. He had been back only for a few days when he came down with a strange affliction, which made the dwarf move slowly and caused blue veins to appear all over his body."
You can see the worry increasing as Elro's ears seem to droop as he continues, "The village’s priests of Moradin and Corellon used every spell they could muster to attempt to heal Urgon, but nothing they tried could stop the bizarre malady. Urgon battled the affliction for weeks until his ever-slowing body eventually turned to ice."
"Until yesterday, I and the rest of the community believed that Urgon’s sad fate was an isolated incident, most likely caused by something the dwarf came into contact with while exploring Eiselcross. I noticed Tulgi Lutan, a dwarf trapper, showing signs of the same illness. I tried to talk to Tulgi about it, but she pushed me away, asking that I let her die in peace."
"Huh. That doesn't sound good." Calos muses, glancing toward the grave of the fallen dwarf.
"Did the two ever meet close to when Urgon died? Or maybe this Tulgi visited this Eiselcross place?"
"Maybe there's another nearby town where they might know more about this illness?"
"I tried to ask Tulgi about her dealings with Urgon but she would just push me away. I even sent other members of the Glassblades to talk to her but she seems to distrust law enforcement."
"Maybe you all should go and talk to her. Since you aren't with the Glassblades she might be more willing to share some information."
"As for other villages, the closest one would be around 75 miles away to the east."
"Where can we find this Tulgi?" Kathrine asks, nodding to the others as she addresses the town master. "And what are these Glassblades you mentioned?"
"The Glassblades are what the local militia is called. We do our best to keep the peace but disease is beyond our abilities."
"Tulgi lives on the outskirts of town not far from where Urgon lived. If you all are willing to help me out I can throw some coin your way to make it less of a burden on you."
"Coin is always welcome." Kathrine says with a nod of acceptance. "I for one wish to talk to this Tulgi." She looks to the others. "Who wishes to accompany me?"
"yes, I would appreciate pay. do you have a map you could show us?"
I am an average mathematics enjoyer.
>Extended Signature<
"I'd be up for it, 'could use some coin. Lead the way."
Lia, nods too. “If I can help, I would be glad to”, she says with another small bow and follows the others as they head off to start the investigation.
GILLAIN OF ATHKATLA - Human Paladin - Into the Mists PHILLIP THE GRUNG - Grung Eldritch Knight - Tomb of Annihilation
ROBWIN WINDROBE - High Elf Wizard - Dragon of Icespire Peak EVE DARKSHORE - Tiefling Warlock - Rime of the Frost Maiden
ASH OF THE FIRE - Tabaxi Rogue - Ghosts of Marshswamp LIA STARBORN - Aasimar Bard - Out of the Abyss
"I can offer a sum of 100 gold pieces if you can help me get to the bottom of this problem. I can take you Urgon's cottage and then point you to Tulgi's hut. I regret that I don't have a map on me at the moment."
Elro begins to lead the group to the north passing through the main part of town towards the northern outskirts to Urgon's cottage.
"I'm worried if Tulgi sees me she won't talk to you so you have to travel to her cottage on your own. If you want to look in Urgon's cottage while we are there I can let you in. Maybe you can find something I might have missed."
"Thank you." Kathrine says with a smile. At the first cottage she glances to the others. "I can aid two of you, creating a bond between you, and helping you help each other." She looks between the group. "Right now we need someone who is good at noticing things and someone who is good at searching for things... Which of us would that be?"
Kathrine is going to use emboldening bond on two of the party members. This gives them the ability to add 1d4 to all saves, ability checks, and attacks for the next ten minutes. It would be best to use it on ones good at perception and investigation, as we are going to be looking for clues I assume. Kathrine is possible for the perception part, but I would prefer to use it on two other people.
Once that is done she will also cast guidance on whomever is going to be searching (investigation.) This will make their bonus 2d4.
Lia will turn to Kathrine, and say, “Kathrine, isn’t it? We met briefly near the pool shrine to Eldath.... I have some small skill when it comes to investigating. And I would gladly receive your emboldening bond, if you think me worthy... and if you would grant it to me”. She is happy to be chosen, but won’t be offended if better candidates present themselves.
If chosen she lowers her gaze and bows her head slightly, not knowing exactly how to receive this boon.
((if Lia is chosen (she has +2 investigation, +5 perception), I’ll roll investigation +2d4 for the house))
GILLAIN OF ATHKATLA - Human Paladin - Into the Mists PHILLIP THE GRUNG - Grung Eldritch Knight - Tomb of Annihilation
ROBWIN WINDROBE - High Elf Wizard - Dragon of Icespire Peak EVE DARKSHORE - Tiefling Warlock - Rime of the Frost Maiden
ASH OF THE FIRE - Tabaxi Rogue - Ghosts of Marshswamp LIA STARBORN - Aasimar Bard - Out of the Abyss