You ask a few of the reemerging townsfolk about a nearby temple, and they point you towards the east, where you can see a steeple peaking out over the tops of the rooftops. You gather that this is a church of the goddess Sana, who reigns over the health and well being of all. As you discuss your next move, you hear a small voice behind you.
"Um, I don't mean to interrupt, but, um, would it be okay if I came with you? I don't really have anywhere else to go, and I promise I won't be any trouble. And, if you could help me get to Igzo, I could find help there and be out of your hair too."
Olgha studies Garil for a long moment, her face impassive and her eyes unreadable. At length, she crouches down to his level...not with warmth, but with a hunter’s careful detachment. “It’s going to be dangerous, boy,” she says quietly but with steel in her voice. “You’d slow us down and get yourself killed, or worse. We are not here to shepherd orphans.” She presses the handful of coins from the chest into his hand, firmly, with no room for protest. “Take this. Find shelter. Avoid strangers. If you’re wise, you’ll leave town by sunrise and disappear somewhere safe. If you’re lucky, you’ll live to see another winter.”
Persuasion: 18
Before she stands, Olgha’s eyes narrow. “One more thing. This note...” She holds up the scrap of paper between two fingers, the words clear for him to see. “‘Southeastern road to Zorre. After show.’ ...Do you know anyone named Zorre, or a place with such name? Or did your father, or Grabador, ever mention meeting someone on that road? Think carefully, Garil. This is important.”
Only after listening to his answer does Olgha rise to her full height, already turning her attention to the rest of the group. She keeps her voice clipped and businesslike. “There was a note in the chest,” she announces to the party. “Whoever wrote it either expected Grabador, or someone else, to meet them there. It could be a lead, or a trap. Either way, it’s the only clue we have beyond the temple.” Her gaze sweeps across the group...unflinching, measuring, inviting no argument. “Decide quickly. We’re running out of daylight and luck.”
You ask a few of the reemerging townsfolk about a nearby temple, and they point you towards the east, where you can see a steeple peaking out over the tops of the rooftops. You gather that this is a church of the goddess Sana, who reigns over the health and well being of all. As you discuss your next move, you hear a small voice behind you.
Vadania would also be asking people if they know a Lohse.
Olgha studies Garil for a long moment, her face impassive and her eyes unreadable. At length, she crouches down to his level...not with warmth, but with a hunter’s careful detachment. “It’s going to be dangerous, boy,” she says quietly but with steel in her voice. “You’d slow us down and get yourself killed, or worse. We are not here to shepherd orphans.” She presses the handful of coins from the chest into his hand, firmly, with no room for protest. “Take this. Find shelter. Avoid strangers. If you’re wise, you’ll leave town by sunrise and disappear somewhere safe. If you’re lucky, you’ll live to see another winter.”
Persuasion: 18
Before she stands, Olgha’s eyes narrow. “One more thing. This note...” She holds up the scrap of paper between two fingers, the words clear for him to see. “‘Southeastern road to Zorre. After show.’ ...Do you know anyone named Zorre, or a place with such name? Or did your father, or Grabador, ever mention meeting someone on that road? Think carefully, Garil. This is important.”
Only after listening to his answer does Olgha rise to her full height, already turning her attention to the rest of the group. She keeps her voice clipped and businesslike. “There was a note in the chest,” she announces to the party. “Whoever wrote it either expected Grabador, or someone else, to meet them there. It could be a lead, or a trap. Either way, it’s the only clue we have beyond the temple.” Her gaze sweeps across the group...unflinching, measuring, inviting no argument. “Decide quickly. We’re running out of daylight and luck.”
Vadania stares at Olgha from under the dark shadow of her hat. Her golden, bestial eyes seem to glow in the darkness. She says, "That... that was needlessly harsh. I do not think it is right for the child to travel alone, especially in times where vampires stalk the lands. You are correct that he will be unsafe if he travels with us and time is of the essence but... I feel he should stay in a tavern while we investigate the events that lead to the magicians tragic fate. Between the coin that was in the magician's box and the coin we can spare, it should give him enough time in a cheap tavern until we can find time to escort him to Igzo."
Olgha’s eyes, already narrowed, flashed with something dangerous. Without hesitation, Olgha let the pretense drop for just a breath. Her lips curled back, baring her own sharpened ivory fangs. For a heartbeat, she stood in silent challenge, the weight of old hatreds and shared enemies pressing her very entity. But then, as quickly as it came, Olgha suppressed the urge to escalate further. She exhaled through her nose, the moment passing, and lowered her head in the smallest gesture of cold acceptance.
“Fine,” she said, voice low, edged with the iron of past grudges and battles survived. “You keep him close. But if the boy becomes a liability, or draws the wrong attention, you answer for it.” Her fangs lingered for a moment longer, a promise more than a threat, before she let her lips fall back over them, burying the beast beneath the hunter’s composure. She turned away, casting a final glance back at Vadania, a look of recognition between monsters. “Let’s not waste time.” Olgha moves away from the child, silently, but the memory of the challenge burned in her mind like a brand: wolves and vampires, forever on the edge between alliance and bloodshed.
Vannithos watches the exchange between Olgha and Vadania silently, simply taking this opportunity to learn more about his new companions. They both want the same thing, it seems, and just have differing approaches. He is ready to step in if it comes to blows, but that seems unnecessary for now.
"He will be in danger whether he is in our sight or not. Let us see whether those in the church are skilled enough to offer any aid with this necklace; if so, he may be safest there for the time being." He turns to head inside and find a cleric.
Vorin looks over the child and says, “I agree with Vadania. It’s a bad time to be out and alone, especially for one so small. At the very least, we take him to the church and see if they have any accommodation for the boy.”
Remembering he hasn’t properly introduced himself, he jerks to attention and puts a fist over his heart. “Vorin Aldrake, by the way. Soldier, wilderness tracker, and hunter of undead, though I’ll admit vampires aren’t my usual specialty.”
He holds that stance until being addressed, like it’s a long standing habit.
Watching Olgha walk away from the others, Engelheart raises an eyebrow at her. He whispers to the others, "The one that has the closest ties to our vampiric friends doesn't want master Garil around, perhaps she is looking out for the child's immediate wellbeing..." He makes a biting motion with his mouth, attempting to keep that from Garil. Engelheart starts to back away from the others and turn towards Olgha. With a flick of hus wrist, Flicker glys over and just as he is about to run into Engelheart's back, the two went up in a firey bust and streak of flames shot over next to Olgha. Engelheart starts to converse with the Dhampir as they walk.
You make your way to the temple, and once inside, you feel a sense of warmness and comfort. The temple is made up of a long entrance hall, lined with torches, with two doorways on either side. In the back stands an impressive tree, and a small wall behind it that blocks what you can only imagine to be another room behind it. There are rows of stone benches leading up to the tree, and a small stage with a podium at the end of the rows. An old woman with exceptionally large glasses greets you at the door. "Hello there dearies, how might I assist you today?"
Vorin looks over the child and says, “I agree with Vadania. It’s a bad time to be out and alone, especially for one so small. At the very least, we take him to the church and see if they have any accommodation for the boy.”
Remembering he hasn’t properly introduced himself, he jerks to attention and puts a fist over his heart. “Vorin Aldrake, by the way. Soldier, wilderness tracker, and hunter of undead, though I’ll admit vampires aren’t my usual specialty.”
He holds that stance until being addressed, like it’s a long standing habit.
Vadania responds, "I am afraid the same can be said of me. I came here to end the vampire scourge because I felt that someone needed to do something about them and I figured I was the most eligible candidate. I am neither a warrior nor monster hunter by trade. I am but a Humble woodcutter from deep within the woods."
Olgha enters the temple in silence, her posture rigid as the air shifts around her. The moment she steps onto the consecrated floor, a faint shiver traces her spine...nothing painful, just a subtle, persistent discomfort that reminds her of the line she walks between worlds. She moves with deliberate care, her gaze sweeping the long entrance hall and the benches, ever watchful and slightly on edge as the sacred aura presses in. She offers the old woman at the door a polite but curt nod, allowing her companions to speak first while she tries to acclimate to the temple’s strange warmth, hoping her discomfort goes unnoticed.
"My task is to maintain the balance and achieve physical and spiritual perfection. Culling dangerous undead is one aspect of that, but I am not specialized in dealing with vampires either." The shadar-kai adds calmly, having no hint of doubt about his purpose.
Once they enter the church, he looks towards the elderly woman. "We obtained this necklace from a slain vampire thrall. It has a strong dark aura, so it may be cursed. Would you be able to cleanse it, or at least keep it contained in this holy place?" he unwraps the item partially so she can get a good look, "Any information about the rune on it that you can offer would also be appreciated."
Vadania greets the older woman, "Greetings. You wouldn't happen to have a safe shelter for this boy here, would you? And do you know of a Lohse? We suspect that she might have some information about the slain vampire thrall my associate here" she gestures to Vannithos, "mentioned."
"Oh my. Well, I'm no expert on artifacts, but you can show this to Antoine, the head priest here. Come, follow me." The lady leads you to the room at the very back, and introduces you to Antoine, a large half-orc with astoundingly blue eyes. He listens as you explain the situation, and takes the amulet for examination. He walks to the bookshelf in the office, pulls an ancient looking book out, and flips through a few pages before turning back to you. "This is very concerning. This rune is that of an ancient primordial god of chaos and evil. More akin to a devil really, but he does not originate from the hells. Rather, he was here long before this world existed, and even before any of the more charitable and benevolent gods commonly worshiped today, like Sana. Like a devil, his true name is a closely guarded secret, and is known today mostly as Balor. Very little is known about him outside of that. The king should want to know about this. Unfortunately, I doubt he'll do anything about it, but someone there ought to know about it. Bounties are still put out for vampires, so there must be someone up there that still cares."
Vadania greets the older woman, "Greetings. You wouldn't happen to have a safe shelter for this boy here, would you? And do you know of a Lohse? We suspect that she might have some information about the slain vampire thrall my associate here" she gestures to Vannithos, "mentioned."
"Oh, I've never heard that name sweetie, I'm sorry."
(Assuming you ask Antoine as well) "I'm not aware of anyone of that name, I'm afraid."
Vadania greets the older woman, "Greetings. You wouldn't happen to have a safe shelter for this boy here, would you? And do you know of a Lohse? We suspect that she might have some information about the slain vampire thrall my associate here" she gestures to Vannithos, "mentioned."
"Oh, I've never heard that name sweetie, I'm sorry."
(Assuming you ask Antoine as well) "I'm not aware of anyone of that name, I'm afraid."
"A shame. What about shelter for this poor boy?" Vadania gestures to Garil.
Vadania greets the older woman, "Greetings. You wouldn't happen to have a safe shelter for this boy here, would you? And do you know of a Lohse? We suspect that she might have some information about the slain vampire thrall my associate here" she gestures to Vannithos, "mentioned."
"Oh, I've never heard that name sweetie, I'm sorry."
(Assuming you ask Antoine as well) "I'm not aware of anyone of that name, I'm afraid."
"A shame. What about shelter for this poor boy?" Vadania gestures to Garil.
"We could offer him a place to live for a few weeks, but the beds we have here are mostly for those injured and ill, seeing as we are mostly a place of healing. And besides, we are already stretched quite thin what with all this vampire business. I know of an orphanage of sorts in Igzo that could help lost children like him, and if you were planning on taking my advice to show this to the king in Igzo then you could bring him there. But, we could house him for some time here and help him find someplace else if you felt it best."
After exchanging words with Olgha, Engelheart holds his hand out and cast Produce Flame with a Flame forming in his hand. No sooner then the Flame igniting then Flicker reverts Engelheart to his position with the others. "She's fully on board, no worries. Let's roll."
Once at the church, Engelheart hangs back in the crowd, letting other do most of the talking, he had a way of putting off "proper" townsfolk so he allows others to talk when he could.
"Perhaps Lohse is only part of the name or part of a title, or perhaps a location or thing. Anything siund of that sorts familiar?" He didn't like to stick his nose in but if his questions weren't being asked he forced himself to interject occasionally.
After exchanging words with Olgha, Engelheart holds his hand out and cast Produce Flame with a Flame forming in his hand. No sooner then the Flame igniting then Flicker reverts Engelheart to his position with the others. "She's fully on board, no worries. Let's roll."
Once at the church, Engelheart hangs back in the crowd, letting other do most of the talking, he had a way of putting off "proper" townsfolk so he allows others to talk when he could.
"Perhaps Lohse is only part of the name or part of a title, or perhaps a location or thing. Anything siund of that sorts familiar?" He didn't like to stick his nose in but if his questions weren't being asked he forced himself to interject occasionally.
Vannithos' usual impassive expression shifts to one of slight interest as Antoine tells them about Balor. An evil god from before the world existed...
"I see. The vampires might also be cultists then," he observes thoughtfully. He looks towards the others. "This 'Lohse' is elusive. Perhaps we can ask the king about it."
You ask a few of the reemerging townsfolk about a nearby temple, and they point you towards the east, where you can see a steeple peaking out over the tops of the rooftops. You gather that this is a church of the goddess Sana, who reigns over the health and well being of all. As you discuss your next move, you hear a small voice behind you.
"Um, I don't mean to interrupt, but, um, would it be okay if I came with you? I don't really have anywhere else to go, and I promise I won't be any trouble. And, if you could help me get to Igzo, I could find help there and be out of your hair too."
Olgha studies Garil for a long moment, her face impassive and her eyes unreadable. At length, she crouches down to his level...not with warmth, but with a hunter’s careful detachment. “It’s going to be dangerous, boy,” she says quietly but with steel in her voice. “You’d slow us down and get yourself killed, or worse. We are not here to shepherd orphans.” She presses the handful of coins from the chest into his hand, firmly, with no room for protest. “Take this. Find shelter. Avoid strangers. If you’re wise, you’ll leave town by sunrise and disappear somewhere safe. If you’re lucky, you’ll live to see another winter.”
Persuasion: 18
Before she stands, Olgha’s eyes narrow. “One more thing. This note...” She holds up the scrap of paper between two fingers, the words clear for him to see. “‘Southeastern road to Zorre. After show.’ ...Do you know anyone named Zorre, or a place with such name? Or did your father, or Grabador, ever mention meeting someone on that road? Think carefully, Garil. This is important.”
Only after listening to his answer does Olgha rise to her full height, already turning her attention to the rest of the group. She keeps her voice clipped and businesslike. “There was a note in the chest,” she announces to the party. “Whoever wrote it either expected Grabador, or someone else, to meet them there. It could be a lead, or a trap. Either way, it’s the only clue we have beyond the temple.” Her gaze sweeps across the group...unflinching, measuring, inviting no argument. “Decide quickly. We’re running out of daylight and luck.”
Vadania would also be asking people if they know a Lohse.
Vadania stares at Olgha from under the dark shadow of her hat. Her golden, bestial eyes seem to glow in the darkness. She says, "That... that was needlessly harsh. I do not think it is right for the child to travel alone, especially in times where vampires stalk the lands. You are correct that he will be unsafe if he travels with us and time is of the essence but... I feel he should stay in a tavern while we investigate the events that lead to the magicians tragic fate. Between the coin that was in the magician's box and the coin we can spare, it should give him enough time in a cheap tavern until we can find time to escort him to Igzo."
Olgha’s eyes, already narrowed, flashed with something dangerous. Without hesitation, Olgha let the pretense drop for just a breath. Her lips curled back, baring her own sharpened ivory fangs. For a heartbeat, she stood in silent challenge, the weight of old hatreds and shared enemies pressing her very entity. But then, as quickly as it came, Olgha suppressed the urge to escalate further. She exhaled through her nose, the moment passing, and lowered her head in the smallest gesture of cold acceptance.
“Fine,” she said, voice low, edged with the iron of past grudges and battles survived. “You keep him close. But if the boy becomes a liability, or draws the wrong attention, you answer for it.” Her fangs lingered for a moment longer, a promise more than a threat, before she let her lips fall back over them, burying the beast beneath the hunter’s composure. She turned away, casting a final glance back at Vadania, a look of recognition between monsters. “Let’s not waste time.” Olgha moves away from the child, silently, but the memory of the challenge burned in her mind like a brand: wolves and vampires, forever on the edge between alliance and bloodshed.
Vannithos watches the exchange between Olgha and Vadania silently, simply taking this opportunity to learn more about his new companions. They both want the same thing, it seems, and just have differing approaches. He is ready to step in if it comes to blows, but that seems unnecessary for now.
"He will be in danger whether he is in our sight or not. Let us see whether those in the church are skilled enough to offer any aid with this necklace; if so, he may be safest there for the time being." He turns to head inside and find a cleric.
Vadania nods to Vannithos. "Yes... perhaps that is the best course of action."
Vorin looks over the child and says, “I agree with Vadania. It’s a bad time to be out and alone, especially for one so small. At the very least, we take him to the church and see if they have any accommodation for the boy.”
Remembering he hasn’t properly introduced himself, he jerks to attention and puts a fist over his heart. “Vorin Aldrake, by the way. Soldier, wilderness tracker, and hunter of undead, though I’ll admit vampires aren’t my usual specialty.”
He holds that stance until being addressed, like it’s a long standing habit.
Watching Olgha walk away from the others, Engelheart raises an eyebrow at her. He whispers to the others, "The one that has the closest ties to our vampiric friends doesn't want master Garil around, perhaps she is looking out for the child's immediate wellbeing..." He makes a biting motion with his mouth, attempting to keep that from Garil. Engelheart starts to back away from the others and turn towards Olgha. With a flick of hus wrist, Flicker glys over and just as he is about to run into Engelheart's back, the two went up in a firey bust and streak of flames shot over next to Olgha. Engelheart starts to converse with the Dhampir as they walk.
You make your way to the temple, and once inside, you feel a sense of warmness and comfort. The temple is made up of a long entrance hall, lined with torches, with two doorways on either side. In the back stands an impressive tree, and a small wall behind it that blocks what you can only imagine to be another room behind it. There are rows of stone benches leading up to the tree, and a small stage with a podium at the end of the rows. An old woman with exceptionally large glasses greets you at the door. "Hello there dearies, how might I assist you today?"
Vadania responds, "I am afraid the same can be said of me. I came here to end the vampire scourge because I felt that someone needed to do something about them and I figured I was the most eligible candidate. I am neither a warrior nor monster hunter by trade. I am but a Humble woodcutter from deep within the woods."
Olgha enters the temple in silence, her posture rigid as the air shifts around her. The moment she steps onto the consecrated floor, a faint shiver traces her spine...nothing painful, just a subtle, persistent discomfort that reminds her of the line she walks between worlds. She moves with deliberate care, her gaze sweeping the long entrance hall and the benches, ever watchful and slightly on edge as the sacred aura presses in. She offers the old woman at the door a polite but curt nod, allowing her companions to speak first while she tries to acclimate to the temple’s strange warmth, hoping her discomfort goes unnoticed.
"My task is to maintain the balance and achieve physical and spiritual perfection. Culling dangerous undead is one aspect of that, but I am not specialized in dealing with vampires either." The shadar-kai adds calmly, having no hint of doubt about his purpose.
Once they enter the church, he looks towards the elderly woman. "We obtained this necklace from a slain vampire thrall. It has a strong dark aura, so it may be cursed. Would you be able to cleanse it, or at least keep it contained in this holy place?" he unwraps the item partially so she can get a good look, "Any information about the rune on it that you can offer would also be appreciated."
Vadania greets the older woman, "Greetings. You wouldn't happen to have a safe shelter for this boy here, would you? And do you know of a Lohse? We suspect that she might have some information about the slain vampire thrall my associate here" she gestures to Vannithos, "mentioned."
"Oh my. Well, I'm no expert on artifacts, but you can show this to Antoine, the head priest here. Come, follow me." The lady leads you to the room at the very back, and introduces you to Antoine, a large half-orc with astoundingly blue eyes. He listens as you explain the situation, and takes the amulet for examination. He walks to the bookshelf in the office, pulls an ancient looking book out, and flips through a few pages before turning back to you. "This is very concerning. This rune is that of an ancient primordial god of chaos and evil. More akin to a devil really, but he does not originate from the hells. Rather, he was here long before this world existed, and even before any of the more charitable and benevolent gods commonly worshiped today, like Sana. Like a devil, his true name is a closely guarded secret, and is known today mostly as Balor. Very little is known about him outside of that. The king should want to know about this. Unfortunately, I doubt he'll do anything about it, but someone there ought to know about it. Bounties are still put out for vampires, so there must be someone up there that still cares."
"Oh, I've never heard that name sweetie, I'm sorry."
(Assuming you ask Antoine as well) "I'm not aware of anyone of that name, I'm afraid."
"A shame. What about shelter for this poor boy?" Vadania gestures to Garil.
"We could offer him a place to live for a few weeks, but the beds we have here are mostly for those injured and ill, seeing as we are mostly a place of healing. And besides, we are already stretched quite thin what with all this vampire business. I know of an orphanage of sorts in Igzo that could help lost children like him, and if you were planning on taking my advice to show this to the king in Igzo then you could bring him there. But, we could house him for some time here and help him find someplace else if you felt it best."
After exchanging words with Olgha, Engelheart holds his hand out and cast Produce Flame with a Flame forming in his hand. No sooner then the Flame igniting then Flicker reverts Engelheart to his position with the others. "She's fully on board, no worries. Let's roll."
Once at the church, Engelheart hangs back in the crowd, letting other do most of the talking, he had a way of putting off "proper" townsfolk so he allows others to talk when he could.
"Perhaps Lohse is only part of the name or part of a title, or perhaps a location or thing. Anything siund of that sorts familiar?" He didn't like to stick his nose in but if his questions weren't being asked he forced himself to interject occasionally.
"No, I recognize nothing of the name Lohse."
Vannithos' usual impassive expression shifts to one of slight interest as Antoine tells them about Balor. An evil god from before the world existed...
"I see. The vampires might also be cultists then," he observes thoughtfully. He looks towards the others. "This 'Lohse' is elusive. Perhaps we can ask the king about it."