Nadaar takes a deep breath, anticipating a scene, and follows Lucius in. 

Opening the door to the Happy Farmer, you wouldn't be far wrong if you guessed that every adult and a few more must be in the tavern.  Lanterns hang from the low ceiling, but because of the nearly standing room only crowd, it is full of shadows.  Behind the bar is a Half-Orc with a leather apron, and he seems to be in having an intense discussion with an old man in a robe and carrying an ornately carved staff.  With all the hub-bub, it is impossible to hear what the two are saying.

Eraleigh senses his moment and tries to sneak quickly through the crowd to listen in on that conversation 

stealth 22 

Quote from nschrock >>

Eraleigh senses his moment and tries to sneak quickly through the crowd to listen in on that conversation 

stealth 18 

Hearing the return of the others, Ragnik drops the coal he was inspecting back into the forge and trots out the smithy following the rest into the Inn.  "Not much room in here is there."

"Indeed not", Lucius replies. "We should try and make our way to the bar", he suggests ready to follow the path the others make. He assumes a dwarf, dragonborn and half orc would be better at that task than the half elves or the halfling.

As you make your way toward the bar, people move out of your way.  By the time you get there you see a Half--Orc behind the bar moving into the backroom, and Eraleigh already standing by the bar.

Hopefully seeing the party go into the Tavern, Ragnar will make his way in, but stay in the backdrop for now, remaining in the shadows if he can find a space

Eraleigh gives a sharp whistle to the others and tugs on the Wizard’s robes. 

“Ahem. I believe you are expecting us.” And assumes a pose of heroic quality.

Lucius wanders up to the bar, standing behind Eraleigh. "I see you beat us to it, and seem to know more than we do. What is going on?"

Delon turns to look at Eraleigh, then looks down.  A small smile crosses his face, "Maybe I am."  As the others make their appearance, his smile broadens and he says again with conviction, "Maybe I am, at that." 

When the Half-Orc returns he says loud enough to be heard, "Milos.  Seems we have some guests."

Milos grimaces with resignation, as he digs into a pouch at his side.  "Wizards," he says as he flips a silver to the wizard.

After catching the coin Delos turns back to you, "So you are here to help the Downs lift the curse?"

Ragnar will make his way to the others at the bar

Nadaar also makes his way to the bar. He asks "one Ale please"

Quote from Kasian_Armistus >>

Delon turns to look at Eraleigh, then looks down.  A small smile crosses his face, "Maybe I am."  As the others make their appearance, his smile broadens and he says again with conviction, "Maybe I am, at that." 

When the Half-Orc returns he says loud enough to be heard, "Milos.  Seems we have some guests."

Milos grimaces with resignation, as he digs into a pouch at his side.  "Wizards," he says as he flips a silver to the wizard.

After catching the coin Delos turns back to you, "So you are here to help the Downs lift the curse?"

 “Maybe if you tell us a bit more then we might be able to do such a thing. It seems to me that if there’s a curse, I can’t see it just by lookin’ around town. We’ll need details, ‘wizard’.” 

Lucius is a bit suspicious of this wizard. How was it he knew of their business?

He slips his hand into his pouch and concentrates on the Deputy Marshal Badge, invoking it's ability to allow him to see other Marshal's, just in case.

His lips stretch very slightly in the merest sign of amusement. At least Eraleigh was like this with everyone, it wasn't personal.

"It does look like the region has come into some hard times, what makes you say there is a curse though?" Ragnik says with a friendly smile.

With an exasperated sigh, he leans on his staff.  "Over the winter, I got old Bailey to lend me his wagon and his oldest son to take me down to Erias (City).  The Downs here aren't very large and with me gone it left that fool priest as the only authority.  Just so happens, a band of Traveling Folk* happened by and the old woman asked for help.  Of course, Ranauld, that's the local Priest, had them sent packing, and the old woman apparently placed a curse on the Downs.  'The fruits of our labor shall shrivel and die'," he quotes in a different voice.

"I haven't been able to get the straight of what she wanted, money, help, shelter.  Didn't really matter to old Ranauld, he believes the old tropes about the Traveling Folk worshiping demons and devils.  Why he gives old Milos all kinds of problems, him not being Human and all," he shakes his head sadly.

"Now I have a theory on how to left the curse.  Before the new road was built, all the land hereabouts was watched over by a Circle of Druids, but I haven't seen any sign of them for many, many years.  They used to meet eastward of here, past the mountains and on the other side of the river.  If they could be found, they might know of a way to lift the curse," he concludes.

Traveling Folk - (My apologies to any Roma) but these are the Gypsies of the Realm.  For the most part, they are traveling entertainers, though they dabble in magic, trade, and other arts.  They are reputed to also be skilled in Divination.  Rumors have always existed that they have a dark side and theft, curses and evil worship are among the more unsavory traits.

Lucius listens to the wizards account before turning to the Half Orc barkeep. "We have been on the road for days, some food, ale and wine if you please".

He turns back to the wizard, "Searching for Druids is one way to go, but what about tracking down these travellers? Either they have been mistreated by this priest of yours, or they have dark powers which we need to investigate".

“Druids… like… nice, friendly, neighborly druids? Or like ‘stay out of my woods!’ druids?” Eraleigh looks a bit skittish. 

Milos look at Lucius then Delon and shrugs.

Delon coughs apologetically, "I made Milos promise not to serve anyone until after the town meeting here.  You could of course try to track down this band, but they have a five month head start, and if something isn't done soon then there will be no crops to harvest in the fall."

To Eraliegh, "The mouse and the dragon will both bite when the must, but for the most part, the Druids were a peaceful bunch."

"It seems your ready to take up our cause, so let me disperse this meeting.  Would you be so good as to help me onto this chair", he asks one of the villagers.  A muscular man whose blonde mustache's sides extend nearly to his chest.  With a creaking of wood and bones Delon monks the chair, then pounds his staff several times for order.

"My friends, I have lived happily in the Downs for longer than I care to remember. I have seen it grow from a simple farmhouse to this community. Crops now grow where long ago none grew, and fruit trees have blossomed where only the wildwood stood."

"But times are changing for the worse. I see the crops withering in the fields. Fruit falls from the trees before ripening, black and rotten. The livestock are not healthy—they now sicken with every day. A blight lies upon the Downs. We have been cursed by the Traveling Folk witch whop assed this way. Had you given her the aid she wished, or let her rest a while and gather strength, these ills might not have befallen us.

"I see the land turning against us, and I am helpless to remove this curse. My powers are too feeble to spare the land ,but perhaps I can hold the curse at bay long enough for help." He shakes his head sadly.  "I am old, I cannot travel. None of you may leave because crops must be tended, and families cared for. It is a difficult undertaking, but perhaps not for the strangers we have before us.  They have just arrived and are weary from the road.  So, go back to your families now,  have your dinners and let me speak with them in peace."

All eyes turn to you and there is a brief spark of hope in their eyes.  As most of the villagers file out, they nod or murmur their shy thanks.

When they have left, he leads to a corner table. Sadly he shakes his beard again, "I hate lying to them, but there is really nothing I can do for them.  My gifts lie in other directions.  But belief, belief is powerful magic all on its own."