Ashin Hanasisar, male human merchant
Ashin smiles.
"Yes I think it does."
Ashin slips the rod back into its case and slips the case away.
"Now I suppose that I should explain. To do so is going to require a little history. Please bear with me for a moment.
"Duvik was settled about 60 years ago by refugees fleeing presecution in Fallon. The people of Duvik are mostly Duviknics, originally from the north and east of here. Their religious tenants did not match those of the people of Fallon, and well anyway, they fled into the Stonepike mountains where they settled and stayed.
"About 30 years ago silver was discovered in the mountains around Duvik. It was not a rich seam, but it has been a steady one over the decades. The town grew a little, and began to shake off the poverty that it had struggled with since it was founded. 5 years later, the orcs arrived. The people of Duvik banded together to defend their valley. They were hardy people, hardened further by a tough life. But they were no match for a warband of experienced warriors. The people of Duvik sought aid from Fallon, but their pleas were ignored. Orussus was also approached, and although the city did not send its militia, adventurers were hired from this very tavern to train and lead the people of Duvik. Hansforth Paltin* was among that number, and it was in Duvik that he discovered his genius for tactics that would later bring him much fame on Brentwidge Plains and at Cooramok."
* Knowledge (history or local) DC 10: [sblock]Hansforth Paltin is a famous ranger, many of whose early adventures began in the Red Dragon Tavern.[/sblock]
Ashin's eyes gleam brightly as he recounts this part of the tale, and his voice becomes noticeably more animated.
"Eventually the orcs were driven back and an truce made. But the people of Duvik never forgot Fallon's silence, and so they turned their backs on Fallon and their faces to Orussus for their trade.
"Over the last ten years, Fallon have been making overtures to Duvik, trying to bring the town into their area of influence. In response, group of merchants from Orussus has been pressing the council here to offer an alliance to Duvik. Initially the council was slow to see the need, but the tide of opinion is turning. Fallon knows this, and I suspect that the events in Duvik are in some way tied to this struggle for Duvik. I will not say that the rumours are groundless, but I suspect that Fallon is behind this in one way or another. A disaster offers Fallon the opportunity to make up for the persecution that drove the people out of Fallon and Fallon's failure to assist Duvik 25 years ago.
"And even if they are not behind this, then it still is an opportunity that they will be unlikely to pass up I believe."
