Arcanis: The Spear of the Lohgin

[Byrons_Ghost]

Background

Four days ago, your group was in the Duchy of Tralia at the court of Duke Victor val'Holryn. That morning, a group of travellers arrived bearing news of Ashvan, a small town near the northern border. The town had been struck by a sudden plague, and warnings had been posted on all trails leading into town. The travellers did not wish to enter the town itself, but instead skirted around it and made for Tralia. They encountered no other travellers or guards or officials on the roads, and fear that the town has been hard hit.

Sensing the need for action, the Duke immediately organized a group to investigate the status of the town, and lend aid if needed. Fearing that military action on the border might agitate the forces of Canceri, he instead selected a small group of loyal agents.

Cadwyn, of the Order of the Blade, and Lord Gideon de Angeles, Church of Hurrian, have both been in the Duke's service for some time and have faced similar dangers together. They were chosen because of their connections with the Church, should there prove to be some sort of menace which needs combatting.

Solonir Kel'Alar is newly arrived to the Duke's services, dispatched by the Elders of Vastwood. Certain elves of Vastwood had dealings with Cadwyn and other Duke's men before, and have come to the conclusion that Milandir may make an honorable ally. Solonir is present in court as an envoy and gesture of goodwill; he was selected for this assignment because of his divination skills, and perhaps so that the elorii can see how the people of Milandir fare under their rulers.

The druid known as Visha is a new arrival at court, and an unusual member of the group. Many people in Tralia shun or ignore him because he is dark-kin, tainted with the blood of evil outsiders. But the Duke firmly believes in the equality espoused by Milandir philosophers, and that deeds speak better of a person than appearance or breeding. He was called both for his healing skills, and to determine if the plague was natural in origin. His own motives for agreeing seem inscrutible for now.

On the ouskirts of Ashvan

All of you were given light warhorses to aid your travel. The trip was uneventful, you saw few people on the road. News of the plague in Ashvan had spread to the farms and inns along the way. Many people were wary of travellers, and few had any information to give you.

It is now mid-morning of the fourth day of travel, and you are no more than a mile or two from the town. The terrain is lightly wooded fields and hills. It is the middle of summer, and the days have been increasingly hot, especially this far from the gulf coast.

As you take a bend around a hill, you see a group of a dozen or so people standing off the road, several hundred yards away from you. Most of them appear to be dressed in black robes and cloaks, and they are standing around a large stone pit. Thick black smoke rises from the pit, and the smell of burning flesh wafts through the air. Near the pit is someone facing the crowd- an old man dressed in ragged clothes, and leaning on a staff for support. He appears to be addressing them in some manner, but is too far away to make out any words.

 

[Argent Silvermage]

"Hale and well met!" Gideon said, "How goes this day for you?" The knight was resplendent in his black clothing under shiny chainmail. His 2 tone hair reflecting the clothing tones. black hair underneath and a shock of silver/white on top. He led the horse he was riding toward the people at the fire pit having no fear of subcomming to a plague.

 

[GnomeWorks]

"He is a fool." Visha hisses loudly in a harsh whisper as Gideon approaches the pit. "He is far too open to people who are suspicious... and those in a town beridden by plague tend to be more suspicious than most."

The druid draws his dark cloak around him, hiding as much of his skin from the sunlight as possible. He takes in a quick breath of the air, then coughs lightly. "If my senses are what I believe them to be," He says, "they are burning the dead who were infected with the plague, to avoid being infected."

He stares at Cadwyn and and Solonir in turn, before breaking the silence once more.

"Well?" He asks, his voice cold and hard. "Aren't you going to greet the people, as well? Or do you fear the plague, as those we have met on our journey have?..."

He then turns and regards the horse he had been given, which he had been leading at a mild distance for some time. "At least I won't have trouble feeding Apropos, for now." He says bemusedly, his mouth forming a cruel smile. "This horse will do nicely, assuming it doesn't come under the influence of the plague..."

 

[Zerth]

Behind Gideon was an elven warrior dressed in dark red silk tunic. He was carrying a finely crafted elegant longsword and a sturdy bow, which was obviously not made for just hunting game. His jet-black hair was tied to a ponytail. He gazed ahead and thought, I see they are already burning their dead, matters must be grave indeed.

Solonir stared briefly at Visha, clearly not amused by the harsh words and then followed his knight companion towards the cloaked man near the smoking pit. The elorii need not to fear any common diseases although there are still many magical ones that could affect them. There was no knowledge yet about the nature of this particular plague, but still Solonir approached without hesitation. At first he would let the knight do the talking.

 

[GnomeWorks]

Visha shakes his head.

"You find my words harsh, elf?" Visha smiles cruelly. "You had best get used to it... we are going to be working together in the finding of the nature of this plague, so you had best adjust..."

Visha then sighs, a tired sigh, then follows after Solonir.

"I will regret ever coming to this place." He says, shaking his head.

 

[Blockader7]

Cadwyn looks around at the busy people.

"Greetings gentle people."

Turning to Gideon.

"Hail good sir. It's a fine day. A fine day indeed. The sun is shining on our backs. As long as there is the sun there is the gold light of honor and courage."

Looking at the place he muses to himself;

Perhaps a little levity might help the poor mood around here. I hate to see people suffer for something that they have not earned.



But it might be best if you don't let yourself get carried away. We have a task here, and that is of utmost importance.

"Do you think we might set about finding out what's happening here?"

 

[Byrons_Ghost]

As your group approaches, you begin to make out more details. The old man is badly scarred, almost to the point of deformity. He has lost the majority of both his yellowed teeth and his stringy, grey hair. His voice is strong, however, like a man twenty years younger, and his sermon seems to captivate his listeners.

"What good are the riches of the world? What use are friends, family, neighbors? These and much more have been swept from you in a matter of days! Learn from this, people of Ashvan, and prepare yourselves for the next world! You are powerless to save yourselves!"

The old man sees your group and gazes at you for a moment, a manic grin on his withered face. Other people in the crowd glance back as well.

"Here is a fine example! Noble and mighty warriors, no doubt fresh from some plush estate! But what will their goods do for them in the face of death? How long can their armor and weapons truly protect them? Trust me, good people, their fates will be the same as the rest of us. They will become naught but bones. All are equal in the eyes of Lord Neroth!"

With this, the priest begins to cackle madly. Some of the crowd watch him, others look curiously at your band. A few shuffle their feet uncomfortably, as if they wish they were somewhere else.

 

[Blockader7]

This man is obviously stirring up unwarranted trouble.

Whispers to Gideon:

"What do you know of this Lord Neroth? It sounds like some sort of deity or possibly a rival to the Duke."

OOC: I use Still Mind just in case the scarred old man is some sort of mind reader.

Have I ever seen him or heard of him before? The old man or Lord Neroth?

 

[Argent Silvermage]

Gideon dismounts and walks up to the group.
"Armor and shield will only take us so far. That is correct, But faith and the Gods will shield our souls until the next life. All of this is but a test in the long run. I say we learn to Rejoice in the fact that thier suffering is done for now. Life is not to be wasted nor is it to be spent living in fear of death. Is it not true that we will all return to another life and another destiny?"

He will reach for the hand of one of the mourners and say, "Can you not feel the touch of the storm god? Hurrian has sent us as a cleansing rain to aid in the recovery from this disease, Duke Victor val'Holryn has sent us in hopes that we may determine what the cause of this plague is and stop it from spreading. As for this Lord Neroth, I have never heard of him before and do not wish to put my trust or faith in one who has not proven that they can help us"

"As my companion Cadwyn has mentioned we are seeking knowledge about this illness let us step away from this funerial pit and discuss what is happening."

OOC: I hope I read this correctly. The majority of the people of this land believe in reincarnation correct?

 

[Zerth]

Solonir was starting to loose his temper. His intention was to let Gideon speak, but he was already slightly irritated by Visha and he liked the words of this old man even less. The blood of the Kelekene was boiling inside him as he rode forward and spoke in loud voice: "I see the vultures of Neroth have already arrived. Never too early for your kind, is it? Never enough victims for the god of death and disease?"

Solonir dismounted and adressed the ragged man again "I am Solonir Kel'Alar, sent by the Duke Victor val'Holryn himself to find out what is happening here." Solonir gazed right into the old man's eyes and continued "I do not fear your words old man. If you know something about this plague, speak up, or else be quiet! These good people don't need any more your dark omens poisoning their minds!"