Varis welcomes Braci “You believe true, friend.  My name is Varis and I am here to hear what the Lady has to say, and perhaps lend aid if I can.”

He pauses and raises his eyebrows at Braci “Wait, you have actually fought these beasts? I believe they are Gnolls.  What can you tell us of them? How did you defeat them?”

Bartjeebus - 

OOC: No Stira was actually very suprised by how much you tipped her (at the fact that you tipped 200% but I forgot to include some exclamation points). Sorry.

Also OOC: I will put the pantheon list in the OOC chat for everyone but Sothel isn't excluded from the temple. All of the gods follow a naming convention (always being "__thel"). Anyone that knows celestial or is a very devout follower of the gods would know that "thel" is "god" in celestial. Because of this convention, many gods have similar names. Each god's name is representative of their domains and often times their name will be even more similar to a god of an opposing domain's name (such as Sothel and Suthel). With regards to the gods' interactions amongst each other, all the gods respect the other gods' domain even when it is opposing to their own as they understand the need for balance (deities that have domains opposing to Sothel's are Suthel and sometimes Atthel). This is why there are often temples that have one priest that worships all the deities.

Kairynna looks suprised to see Sigi in such armor but nods. "Yes it would be prudent to seek out Vera. Shall we head to where the guards headquarters are?" As Sigi talks about the divine brining them together, she can't help but let out a soft laugh. "Yes indeed it may he divine will that brings us together or some terrible luck."

"I shall follow thy lead wherever the path calls thee, Kairynna, whether to Vera or to the wounded."

Braci nods in appreciation towards Varis and looks to the others as he explains. "I did not know the nature of these beast until I overheard you all talking just now. They are acting strangely, chaotically but there is no denying these are indeed gnolls. You see, I spend most of my time in the Hailvort Woods at the foothills of the Ropenhaven Mountains to the east of here. I was coming back to Aoswell for supplies and food when a group of the beast blindsided me. Perhaps they saw me for a frail man and easy meal but the strength of a person is not in the body and I have been in more than my share of fights. Eventually, I was able to fight them off and retreat here to the city. My intention was to warn the town and see if there were other sightings I had no idea the trouble the town was going through." 

At this Braci looks down with a look of concern, "I am no expert on gnolls but I have spent more than enough time in the woods and mountains to know this is a new problem and the people of Aoswell are suffering greatly. The people go hungry, the markets are depleted and I suspect there is some civil uprest brewing under the surface. We need to help these people and I intend to do it. If the leader of the city has information and knows where to start I am all for it. If not I will head out first thing tomorrow to continue the search."

There is a look of determination as he almost spits his the last words and he looks to the others to gauge their reactions.

Rocky - When you counted the guards you got a little confused because there were only around 4 that were wearing North Vexcall colors, but more that (on closer inspection) seemed to be prepared to defend Aoswell (whether or not they were highly trained is questionable).

"Agreed, gnolls can be a nasty bunch, I have had to deal with a few small packs on a couple of jobs in the past," Tayvello adds. "This though goes not feel like a small pack's doing. Do you think something is pushing them towards the town?"

Braci looks to Tayvello and shrugs, "I do not know. I do know that the behavior is unusual. It's possible something has agitated them to the surface or perhaps there is something organizing them and directing the actions. Either way they need to be dealt with. Let us head inside and see if this Lonsvell has any answers for us." With that Braci turns and heads into the Guard House.

Braci (and anyone that is going into the Hall of the Guard) - You enter a fairly large hall that is lined with some portraits (likely of past leaders). It is a pretty nice building with stone floors but, like everything in this town, is a little run down. On the left there are two doors and on the right there is one. There are two guards standing at the back of the room.

I think at this point Sigi and the rest of the crew at the tavern are all ready to head over to the Hall of the Guard to seek out Vera.  Is it difficult to find?

Sigi - No, it is pretty easy to find. For the sake of ease, the group at the tavern reaches the Hall of the Guard as they see another group entering it. When you reach it you see the same thing.

Quote from TaniHeron >>

You enter a fairly large hall that is lined with some portraits (likely of past leaders). It is a pretty nice building with stone floors but, like everything in this town, is a little run down. On the left there are two doors and on the right there is one. There are two guards standing at the back of the room.

  As you wait in this room, having travelled throughout the village it seems to be about half an hour before you are expected to be in the meeting.

Nevaeh sighs and sits on the floor. "It doth seem we must wait for the right stars to shine on our meeting with the Lady Vera. Shall I pluck out an ancient melody on this lyre of mine in order to pass the time? 'Haps a performance in tandem with Mori, if you wish is in order, wouldst thee not say?"

"Ooh yes, I do enjoy your music Neveah," Kairynna says as she leans against a nearby wall. As she waits, she fidgets with a small silver necklace around her neck and hums along quietly. 

"Yes, there is never a bad time for music," Mori remarks, bringing out his lute. "Lyre's are difficult to play, I'd be interested to hear you. 

Assuming Nevaeh starts playing her lyre, Mori will start playing his lute as well. Performance check: 31

Nevaeh smiles, her eyes shimmering. "Thou hast my thanks; I am still learning the essence of the lyre, so do forgive if there are any mistakes on my part. I do not possess nearly half the skill a trained musician such as thee, Mori if you wish."

Performance: 10

 It's... not great, but it's clear she's trying really hard.

With this performance (that is mostly Nevaeh trying very hard and Mori playing to accommodate her) and some socializing the time until you are expected to be there passes. When the meeting is scheduled to begin (3 hours before sundown) you see the furthest door on the left opens and a figure steps out. You see a medium height woman with very tanned skin and brunette hair that falls in curls over her shoulder. She wears some simple leathers integrated into nice but practical suit-like attire. At her hip is a well-crafted sword that has clearly seen some use but not as much as many of your weapons. "I take it you lot are the mercenaries that have come to help? Come in. Come in." She gestures for you to follow her as she walks back into her office.

Braci takes a look over at the voice that rises above the music that seems to have broken out in the hallway. Somewhat relived by her attire he thinks to himself, So this must be Lady Lonsvell, seems she knows her way around a weapon a bit and is not a common politician. 

As he turns towards her and starts to make his way towards the door he takes a moment to consider the others who have banded together to answer the call. Mercenaries, I suppose that fits some those here but I certainly have no need for coin. No matter their intentions if we can help stabilize the region and revitalize this town we'll have achieved something good. 

With that thought he follows the women into the room finding a quiet corner in the back to listen eagerly to what she knows.