Into Bellhold
Our heroes find Bellhold to be a pleasant place; it's a small town, with a predominantly human but mixed-race population. Within the center of town is a large plaza, named by a sign Wyrmcall Plaza. Off of that is a tall bell tower. Around the plaza are an array of shops and a couple of churches. Of most immediate interest to our heroes is a bar.
The Bell & Clapper, as it's called, is reasonably full but the patrons seem generally somewhat subdued. The halflings and there adoptive brethren (and dog) manage to acquire a table and gain a barmaid's attention in order to procure a proper tea time, with food and drink in proper proportions.
The cute Airhead Ed and Coco start circulating, asking the locals where to find a bellmaker, and quickly receive directions; but it's too late in the day to talk to them by now. However, they also receive a few more juicy tidbits of local gossip.
"Everyone here's been having nightmares for the last few days," Coco informs them.
"And did you know," Ed breathlessly tells the others, "that this town used to be run by a
dragon??"
"I'd gathered," Thelonious says, gesturing. On the walls are hung what appear to be a number of trophies- a talon as long as a human's arm, a portrait of an adventuring party, weapons, a book and other items. Sipping his drink, he says, "I'll ask the proprietor if he knows more."
The proprietor turns out to be Tokket, a half-elf man of middle age and garrulous nature. When queried, he answers brightly, "Sure I'll tell you about it!"
Pointing at the painting, he says, "Those were the adventurers who killed the dragon Copperdeath. He was a mean, evil beast, that Copperdeath. Fifty years ago next summer this was- anyhow, he'd enslaved the townsfolk and forced them to work his copper mines. Until they came along and slew him, that is- those adventurers." He walks proudly to the painting. "This one here, Alissa- she was my mother. After she retired she set up shop here in Bellhold, built the Bell & Clapper here, and lived the rest of her life comfortably. Now it's passed on down to me."
A little more friendly conversation, and Tokket mentions that the book on the wall is the diary of one of the adventurers. Curious, our heroes cluster around and read it for a time; it seems to imply the dragon mind-controlled the entire town, and possibly the adventurers as well, for a time.
"Well, isn't it about time we went back to Othic's?" ventures Trinia, and the group cleans off their plates and hurries off to dinner.
"Aw, I think we're going to miss supper," Ed mopes.
Next time: Dinner with Othic! Inevitable bad dreams! And bad news in the morning!
By the way- and I'm sure 90% of you reading this already know this, but hey-
Of Sound Mind is a fantastic module written by our own Piratecat. It had the most satisfying conclusion of any module I've ever run when we finished it up the other night!