The Crossing Inn sits on the east bank of the Trank River, on the south side of the Phlan Path, next to the Trank River Bridge. The inn hosts travelers from both the road and river, making it a popular spot to meet and learn the latest news from across the northern shores of the Moonsea. Travelers between Phlan and Melvaunt are quite common; that is, until recently.

Olisara Lightsong has come through with a potential source of gold for Sylyra: The proprietor of the Crossing Inn, Romsan Kal, has seen his business disrupted. Something is scaring travelers away from his inn, and he has a need for a party of adventurers much like yourselves. Since leaving Phlan for the inn, you have heard from travelers about an increase in kidnappings that may be the reason.

You departed Phlan early in the morning. You've been on the road for a few hours and expect to reach the Crossing Inn at some point in the early afternoon.

Briny: Human Sorcerer (Draconic Bloodline)
Hex: Tiefling Ranger (Hunter)
Sylyra Wasanthi: Wood Elf Druid (Circle of the Shepherd)
Uragum: Goliath Wizard (War Magic)

OOC: There's some time for some free RP here if you would like as the party travels to the Crossing Inn if the characters want to take some time to discuss their downtime, what's been happening in Phlan, or anything in between. I'll continue once things are silent for awhile.

For most of the journey, Hex keeps to herself and is quiet, enjoying the peacefulness of the natural scenery in comparison to the constant hustle and bustle of Phlan. She begins the journey walking behind the group but, half way through, she jogs up to speak with Briny. "Ah, I forgot to ask but have you discovered anything more about the Pools of Radiance? Knowing our luck, it'll be the Cult kidnapping people so any new info might be helpful."

Two nights before the party leaves for the Crossing Inn, Sylyra appears in the common room with a caged bird. It is a dusty, ink-black raven. He lovingly places the cage on the table and introduces everyone to Morisúrë, who croaks hello. "I realized after our last job that having a winged companion would come in handy now and then. I still have a lot to teach Morisúrë, but she will be a great help soon enough." The elf has clearly already fallen in love.

The next night, Sylyra informs the others of Olisara Lightsong's mission over supper. "I've been promised gold," he says, sounding almost put out. "She says the inn is east along the Phlan Path less than a day's journey by foot. I was hoping for something a little more promising, but I guess we've got to take what we can get," the druid says, sounding ungrateful. "Are you in?" he asks, making eye contact with Uragum and Hex, and kind of acknowledging Briny (but not really).

Leaving Phlan the next morning, Sylyra has Morisúrë's cage in one hand and his staff with the sprig of mistletoe tied to the end in the other. He has his hood up against the cold, wet wind blowing from the Moonsea, but locks of his long, white-blonde hair escape down the front of his tunic and are tossed this way and that. He is back to smiling and being more friendly to the other three parts of the foursome, but his kindest words are spoken through the wire grill of Morisúrë's cage. "We'll be there soon," he coos to the bird, who croaks back in response.

He does walk a while beside Uragum to ask, "Any world-shattering ideas while wearing your new piece of jewelry?"

The goliath walked along silently with the others, his thoughts on the surroundings for now.  With mention of kidnappings from others he couldn't help but think blood shed would occur before their mission was through.  Sylyra's words broke his concentration and he took a moment to respond.

"World shattering?  I think not.  Was just considering the more immediate future and couldn't help but surmise that violence is likely to occur.  Whether it is when we try to rescue those kidnapped or defend ourselves when others try to kidnap us.  Whatever the case, I have no doubt the fancy gems here won't be put to good use."

Sylyra frowns. "Or perhaps we should allow ourselves to get kidnapped."

The Crossing Inn is a well-worn, heavy wooden structure perched above a row of keelboat docks on the east bank of the Trank River, south of the Phlan Path. It is a single level, with short perimeter walls and a towering faceted roof around a large central stone chimney. Upon entering in the early afternoon, you find a large, wood-framed octagonal common room used for both eating and sleeping. It can comfortably hold up to 50 travelers overnight, and a good deal more if they squeeze in. At the moment, there is only a few staff with even fewer travelers.

A large man with a heavily scarred bald head watches you from a massive table near the front, next to a window. After a moment, he calls you over.

"Welcome to Crossing Inn. I'm host and proprietor Romsan Kal. We don't get many mid-day travelers, and few proper adventurers, so I'm guessing you're here to see me. Please, have a seat and introduce yourselves."

OOC: Ready to advance upon the next action or conversation.

Uragum looks about the room and then at the chairs available.  He picks the most sturdy looking one and takes a seat.  "Yes, if you're the owner then you're the one we seek.  Haven't been told much but told there some disappearances happening and it's all pretty suspicious.  Oh. Right.  Names Uragum,  mage."

Despite his sunnier outlook on the walk here, upon entering the inn, Sylyra is immediately offended, and his face shows it. He follows Uragum to approach the proprietor, but he does not sit down. "You do have private rooms," he says. Olisara Lightsong said nothing about sharing accommodations with common folk. The elf would rather sleep outside.

Hex chuckles at Sylyra's reaction to the common room and takes a seat besides Uragum "Don't mind him, that's just Sylyra. I'm Hex, nice to meet you."

Romsan chuckles at Sylyra's impertinence, awaiting Briny's introduction for a brief moment before shrugging. "Strong, haughty, polite, and silent - you're adventurers, alright," he japes.

"People are frightened. The disappearances began about a tenday ago, the first night of the drums. Most say it's coming from the south, maybe as far away as the Twilight Marsh. The drums beat throughout the night. Each morning, someone is gone, along with some of their livestock if they have any. The farmers and travelers are scared. Once the drums start, no one travels at night and no one feels safe, even behind barred doors," he begins.

Sylyra rolls his eyes at the innkeeper's observation of the group, but he listens carefully as the man talks, becoming more interested the longer the strange happenings are relayed. "Has anyone tried to find the source of the drums?" he asks. "I assume no one has seen who or what is taking those who have disappeared, but have there been tracks or any other kind of evidence that can be examined?"

"Livestock? Hm... I wonder if that means dragons again... If someone has gone missing everyday for about tenday, I'd guess that around 10 people have gone missing? Any of them particularly important?"

That word again. Sylyra squints a little at the prospect of a dragon.

"...Dragons? Sure as all the hells I hope not, else I might have bigger problems than declining business," Romsan says after he realizes you are serious.

"Sure seems like you folks are serious enough. I can offer you fifty gold pieces to investigate the situation; I've been collecting some donations to help find the missing, plus a chunk of my own savings from the inn."

He responds to the questions, crosses his arms and rests back against the wall. "We have a few clues. Some folks spotted clawed footprints where the kidnappings occurred. A few river dwellers claim to have heard splashing and movement on the river in the dead of night. Most fear that a new monster has moved in, but some think it's the lizardfolk in the Twilight Marsh. They're troublesome, but some of these disappearances are a long way from a marsh, and a few have even happened along the road. Not exactly lizardfolk hunting grounds."

"By my tally, about thirty people have disappeared along with a couple dozen livestock. That list is incomplete, though. New reports trickle in every time the occasional traveler or messenger rolls through, seems like."

Hex's eyes widen in shock. "30!? That's... a lot of people. Could you tell us where some of the kidnappings happened? We might be able to pick up on something others haven't."

"There have been a number of places," Romsan begins to answer. "There's been some evidence at the site of some disappearances, but no bodies have been--"

The front door flies open and a young human male dashes in. His appearance suggests he's a farmer. He pauses and looks around the room before running up to the innkeeper. He's clearly upset.

"Romsan! The Renons are gone! Come to the farm. You have to figure out what happened."

Romsan looks pained and says, "I'm not fit to come out of retirement for this, but these folks are here to help." He turns to you, "This is the best lead you're going to get. Taroo can get you downriver to the farm. It's much faster than riding the trails."

"If you've got mounts, I'll stable them for free while you're investigating. If you want I can provide a few days of rations and a few minor supplies; blankets, lanterns, you just let me know," he says.

Hex jumps as the door suddenly slams open, tensing up and instinctually reaching for her bow. As it becomes obvious that the human is of no danger, she relaxes. She nods her head in thanks towards Romsan. "No mounts at the moment but any supplies you can afford to give us will be helpful." 

Sylyra also goes on the defensive, moving to put Uragum between him and the door, as the young man flies into the hut and Hex draws her bow. Morisúrë croaks loudly and flaps her wings as her cage swings wildly in the elf's grasp. The druid listens to the short exchange and takes note of Romsan's comment about coming out of retirement.

"If you want I can provide a few days of rations and a few minor supplies; blankets, lanterns, you just let me know," he says.

"No mounts at the moment but any supplies you can afford to give us will be helpful."

"You would know better what we might need," Sylyra says, placing Morisúrë's cage on the table. "I would ask that you allow me to leave Morisúrë here with you in the safety of your ... inn," he says, almost forcing the word out of his mouth. "I will leave some food with you, and I would appreciate it if you could change her water every day. She isn't yet trained to easily return to her cage, so be careful to not let her out."

Romsan nods to Sylyra. "I can do that for you."

Romsan quickly gathers some supplies and leads you out of the inn toward the river docks. He hollers at some staff, "Turn that keelboat over to these folks." Twenty feet long and about eight feet wide, the keelboat has a shallow draft, primitive sail, and a tiny cabin at the stern; a bit crowded for the four of you plus Taroo, but just big enough. The boat also possesses five poles, two on each side and one at the prow.

OOC: Added three days of rations to each character's inventory. Romsan can provide two blankets and two lanterns to whoever would like to take those.