Tales from Talaveroth

"I believe that my traveling days are done little one. Even though I may not age that does not mean that I did not age before. I think that my old creaking bones would only slow down your travels." For the first time he gives you a smile. "Here, come in to my home. I believe all my food will have spoiled but tea stays good for a long time, I will make some and you can tell me why the wizard wanted you to come to me." 

Poinki follows, puzzled. "Why?" he whispers to the others. "We know?"

Elhanna finally looks up from the books. She has been done for a while but she doesn’t know how to break the news to Oleg yet. The reason the spell fails was so obvious, but he must have been blinded by his love. 

“Um, Oleg, I know why your spell didn’t work. I’ve seen this spell before, once. A boy had fallen from a tree and broken his neck right outside the church where I lived. My father, the man who took me in when I was but a babe saw it happen. He got a the church only diamond and rushed to the kid and brought him back from the other side. I asked him about it and he told me that it only work on people who has just died from an unnatural occurrence such as a wound of a sickness or in this case, a fall and a broken neck.” She looks up at him with tears in her eyes. “I’m sorry, but there is no bringing her back. And if you succeed, it will be as Si’Juul here say, as an undead. So please don’t try this again.”

Oleg continues to move around his house, preparing tea and cleaning up some of the things so that you can all sit. "Well. That's that then." He says with a heavy sigh. "Well, take anything you want then. The diamonds, the books, they're all useless to me now." 

Si'Juul remains outside as everyone else heads into Oleg's house.

Make a perception check Si'Juul 

Perception: 7

Having been below ground for most of the day it takes your eyes a while to adjust to the open space again. That, coupled with the sun beginning to set down towards the horizon means that you don't spot the rider until she's almost upon you. 

They're a human woman, on the younger side of adulthood by the look of it. She rides a pale grey horse that is draped in a cloth emblazoned with  the quill and eagle of the Quickfeather Messager Service. You know that these messagers are often the quickest non-magical means of contacting someone. They cost a good bit of coin but they're very reliable.

She comes to a hault a little ways from you. "Excuse me. Do you know where I might find Oleg, the priest? I have an urgent letter for him." 

Si'Juul just turns his gaze over towards the house then back to the woman.

"Before you deliver your message, just one question. Have you seen anyone around here using weapons like this?"

He taps his holster.

She looks at the weapon in the holster. "Not around here. In the cities there are a few, not many. If you're with them though you'll likely want to hear about this letter. It seems one of your brethren has gone rogue." 

"Could I read the letter for myself first, if that's the case?"

Si'Juul holds his hand out, keeping his demeanor calm.

As Elhanna starts to speak up, Twitch approaches her and gives her shoulder a compassionate squeeze, as she stays outside with Si'Juul. She was about to ask him if everything was alright, when the rider arrived. She respectfully stepped aside when he takes the letter, but hopes he trusts her enough to share it's contents, if it were to concern their or his own safety.

The rider keeps the letter close. "That's not how this works. If I give you the letter then my reputation will be shot. I deliver to the intended recipient or I head back to the sender." 

Twitch points to the cabin with her thumb. "He's in there, but he's busy with a very important thing right now. Either wait five minutes, or we can get it to him."

Persuasion: 7

"It was just a request, no need to be defensive. Go deliver the letter then."

Si'Juul walks over to the house and opens the door.

"Mail's here."

(Disregard this if Twitch's persuasion works.)

She looks down at you. "I'll wait." 

Oleg looks up. "Mail? Who's sending mail now?" He comes outside with you. "What's this then?" 

The rider looks down. "Are you Oleg?" He nods and she hands him the letter before riding off. 

He glances down at it and then back up at you Si'Juul. "It's a call from the High Priest. It seems that one of my old friends in the order has thrown in with a disgruntled member of the Black Brand. They've holed themselves up in a tower and are practicing some dark magic." 

After a moment of time that feels appropriate for Elhanna, Poinki and Oleg to be able to discuss what he attempted, she enters the cabin: "Oleg, someone sent you a letter. The courier is waiting outside."

"So this high priest wants you to rescue this 'disgruntled person'?"

He shakes his head. "He says that he is looking to put together a team to try and enter the church and would like my help trying to figure out the best way since I knew Father Ephesian." He tucks the letter away. "I guess this is why the gods wanted me alive. Will you come along? I take it by your weapon that you are a member of the Brand as well."