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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Byrons_Ghost" data-source="post: 950444" data-attributes="member: 7396">BackgroundFour 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 AshvanAll 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.</blockquote>

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