Akunin
First Post
Sodarin Underwood
As the two walk, the priest atempts to start a conversation. "Lathander teaches us that perserverance is the first and the last step in success. Those who leave the path before them often never find it again. But those who stay true to their heart's desire, and who struggle onward in the face of opposition will find that the reward is more often than not a far greater prize than they had expected. I will offer up a prayer to the Morninglord, that you will have the strength to perservere in your seeking."
He smiles radiantly, and his eyes seem to peer straight to the heart.
"I will ask someone to see to your clothing - your shirt looks as if it could do with some mending, and I believe we can find something to replace those threadbare pants of yours. You look hungry, as well. We'll take care of all that. The temple is right over there."
He points at a large structure on the eastern side of town. The doors are on the side of the church opposite you, facing the direction of the morning sun. The building is very finely decorated, and gleams in the sun.
Several priests, in work clothes, but still adorned with finery denoting their service to Lathander, work in a small garden to the side of the building, while others spin wool and carve wood into what seem to be tool handles.
Spencer leads you toward the entrance of the temple...
Savris "Shade" Ko’thari
One of the two men (the one who spoke first and last) turns and leaves, slamming the door behind him. The other puts his hands to his head and lets out a loud sigh. He walks toward the window, but you quickly duck to the side.
It's your mark, all right. When you saw him before, he appeared confident and proud, but the face he currently wears is one of worry. He turns away from the window and sits on the bed, pulling a pipe from his pocket.
You watch for a few more moments as he fills the pipe, looks at it for a moment, then throws it to the floor. Its clay bowl shatters, and the man lies down on the bed. A few minutes later, he seems to have settled into a fitful sleep.
You return to your inspection of the window. The sill is painted, and there doesn't appear to be a seam, as if the window has never been opened. Taking a slender piece of metal from your thieving kit, you work it around the window to break the paint "seal". There doesn't seem to be one, as if the window is set directly into the frame.
Given time, you might be able to remove the entire window, but it would be dificult to do so without waking the man. Breaking through would obviously wake him, as well. You could, however, easily find his room from inside the building.
The number of people in the streets is beginning to increase, as the sun climbs in the sky. Some merchants have moved their business to the porches of their shops, and others have decided to spend lunchtime in the spring sun.
Marina
"Forgive my rudeness - I am Gideon, a Chandler by trade. If you should find yourself in need, mine are the finest candles in all of Beregost, and among the most saught-after in the Heartlands!"
Catching himself as he launches into his "business voice", he laughs and returns the candles he's pulled from a pouch.
"The 'Children' you've heard of are the 'Children of Toril', a traveling caravan of entertainers and traders. They aren't terribly trusted by the people of this town - too many terrible happenings have occurred when they've passed through - but their coin is good, and I've had no personal conflict with them."
He lowers his voice for a moment, "The people of this town are very worried, though. There have been several fights between the citizens of Beregost and the members of the caravan, and over the past few years, several children - not 'Children of Toril', mind you, but sons and daughters of the people of Beregost - have gone missing. So far, no one has been able to prove that the caravan is to blame, but the disappearances always coincide with their visits. I've heard that the same has happened in other nearby towns. The only reason I can figure that nobody has put an end to the whole matter is the trade that the Children bring."
The two of you continue down the road toward the temple, and he tells you what he knows of the caravan, the Children, and the disappearances (ooc: the info in the intro is now known to you).
Soon, the bright and shining temple of Lathander stands before you. Priests come and go, engaged in work, some singing hymns taught to you by your mentor. Where his songs always carried a hint of sadness for freedom lost, and the struggle of his spirit against the cruelty of slavery, these priest's songs carry a different feeling - one of cycles and rebirth, and you are struck with an inspiration. Your teacher knew that the cycle must continue, and chose you to carry on his works. His mace and armor are a testament to that.
Killian Maxwell
Checking through his belongings, Killian manages to scroungs up a few loose coins. Enough for a simple meal or two, but not enough for a room. He passes by the others with whom he was enjoying a fine meal and wine the night before. They smile and call out to him, "Same time tonight, eh?" "I never told you the story about the time I wrestled an Ankheg!" "You gonna show us what that chain can do?"
Killian smiles, still stinging from the theft. Making his way into the street, he is greeted by the bright colors and excited movement of the town's citizens. Everyone seems to be in a hurry, as merchants cart their wares to and fro, and circles of farmers gossip as they walk.
A nearby cart holds many cheeses and small loaves. Counting the coins in his hand, Killian looks at the sign displaying the prices. He thinks for a moment, and realizes that since last night, food seems to have gotten more expensive! Walking to the bowyer from whom he purchased his new weapon, he finds that everything appears to have increased in price. He then remembers the stories that he was told the night before, and that the caravan is expected to arrive soon. One of his companions mentioned a need for "extra security", and that the Priests of Lathander were known for their generosity and hospitality.
A few days worth of work helping to keep the peace couldn't be that bad, surely...
Dashelinil "Dash" Eventide
The two younger townseople take a step backwards and whisper to themselves. Surely they've seen an Elf before! The fat man extends a meaty hand covered in scars.
"You seem friendly enough, Elf, but one can never be too sure with strangers in this town. Too many problems, and new troubles arriving every year with that damned caravan! Name's Conrad. If you're looking for a place to sleep besides under a tree, there's an inn down that road. Turn to the left when you see the herbalist's shop and you can't miss it."
He looks you over for a moment, then scratches his chin. "You might want to take care you don't upset the locals. Most are afraid of the unknown, especially when spring rolls around and the 'Children of Toril' - them's the people with the caravan - show up. If you keep out of trouble, though, you'll probably get by with a few funny looks and whispering. Folks here aren't violent by nature, but I've seen plenty of visitors run out of town by ignorant rake-wielding mobs, ya know?"
As the two walk, the priest atempts to start a conversation. "Lathander teaches us that perserverance is the first and the last step in success. Those who leave the path before them often never find it again. But those who stay true to their heart's desire, and who struggle onward in the face of opposition will find that the reward is more often than not a far greater prize than they had expected. I will offer up a prayer to the Morninglord, that you will have the strength to perservere in your seeking."
He smiles radiantly, and his eyes seem to peer straight to the heart.
"I will ask someone to see to your clothing - your shirt looks as if it could do with some mending, and I believe we can find something to replace those threadbare pants of yours. You look hungry, as well. We'll take care of all that. The temple is right over there."
He points at a large structure on the eastern side of town. The doors are on the side of the church opposite you, facing the direction of the morning sun. The building is very finely decorated, and gleams in the sun.
Several priests, in work clothes, but still adorned with finery denoting their service to Lathander, work in a small garden to the side of the building, while others spin wool and carve wood into what seem to be tool handles.
Spencer leads you toward the entrance of the temple...
Savris "Shade" Ko’thari
One of the two men (the one who spoke first and last) turns and leaves, slamming the door behind him. The other puts his hands to his head and lets out a loud sigh. He walks toward the window, but you quickly duck to the side.
It's your mark, all right. When you saw him before, he appeared confident and proud, but the face he currently wears is one of worry. He turns away from the window and sits on the bed, pulling a pipe from his pocket.
You watch for a few more moments as he fills the pipe, looks at it for a moment, then throws it to the floor. Its clay bowl shatters, and the man lies down on the bed. A few minutes later, he seems to have settled into a fitful sleep.
You return to your inspection of the window. The sill is painted, and there doesn't appear to be a seam, as if the window has never been opened. Taking a slender piece of metal from your thieving kit, you work it around the window to break the paint "seal". There doesn't seem to be one, as if the window is set directly into the frame.
Given time, you might be able to remove the entire window, but it would be dificult to do so without waking the man. Breaking through would obviously wake him, as well. You could, however, easily find his room from inside the building.
The number of people in the streets is beginning to increase, as the sun climbs in the sky. Some merchants have moved their business to the porches of their shops, and others have decided to spend lunchtime in the spring sun.
Marina
"Forgive my rudeness - I am Gideon, a Chandler by trade. If you should find yourself in need, mine are the finest candles in all of Beregost, and among the most saught-after in the Heartlands!"
Catching himself as he launches into his "business voice", he laughs and returns the candles he's pulled from a pouch.
"The 'Children' you've heard of are the 'Children of Toril', a traveling caravan of entertainers and traders. They aren't terribly trusted by the people of this town - too many terrible happenings have occurred when they've passed through - but their coin is good, and I've had no personal conflict with them."
He lowers his voice for a moment, "The people of this town are very worried, though. There have been several fights between the citizens of Beregost and the members of the caravan, and over the past few years, several children - not 'Children of Toril', mind you, but sons and daughters of the people of Beregost - have gone missing. So far, no one has been able to prove that the caravan is to blame, but the disappearances always coincide with their visits. I've heard that the same has happened in other nearby towns. The only reason I can figure that nobody has put an end to the whole matter is the trade that the Children bring."
The two of you continue down the road toward the temple, and he tells you what he knows of the caravan, the Children, and the disappearances (ooc: the info in the intro is now known to you).
Soon, the bright and shining temple of Lathander stands before you. Priests come and go, engaged in work, some singing hymns taught to you by your mentor. Where his songs always carried a hint of sadness for freedom lost, and the struggle of his spirit against the cruelty of slavery, these priest's songs carry a different feeling - one of cycles and rebirth, and you are struck with an inspiration. Your teacher knew that the cycle must continue, and chose you to carry on his works. His mace and armor are a testament to that.
Killian Maxwell
Checking through his belongings, Killian manages to scroungs up a few loose coins. Enough for a simple meal or two, but not enough for a room. He passes by the others with whom he was enjoying a fine meal and wine the night before. They smile and call out to him, "Same time tonight, eh?" "I never told you the story about the time I wrestled an Ankheg!" "You gonna show us what that chain can do?"
Killian smiles, still stinging from the theft. Making his way into the street, he is greeted by the bright colors and excited movement of the town's citizens. Everyone seems to be in a hurry, as merchants cart their wares to and fro, and circles of farmers gossip as they walk.
A nearby cart holds many cheeses and small loaves. Counting the coins in his hand, Killian looks at the sign displaying the prices. He thinks for a moment, and realizes that since last night, food seems to have gotten more expensive! Walking to the bowyer from whom he purchased his new weapon, he finds that everything appears to have increased in price. He then remembers the stories that he was told the night before, and that the caravan is expected to arrive soon. One of his companions mentioned a need for "extra security", and that the Priests of Lathander were known for their generosity and hospitality.
A few days worth of work helping to keep the peace couldn't be that bad, surely...
Dashelinil "Dash" Eventide
The two younger townseople take a step backwards and whisper to themselves. Surely they've seen an Elf before! The fat man extends a meaty hand covered in scars.
"You seem friendly enough, Elf, but one can never be too sure with strangers in this town. Too many problems, and new troubles arriving every year with that damned caravan! Name's Conrad. If you're looking for a place to sleep besides under a tree, there's an inn down that road. Turn to the left when you see the herbalist's shop and you can't miss it."
He looks you over for a moment, then scratches his chin. "You might want to take care you don't upset the locals. Most are afraid of the unknown, especially when spring rolls around and the 'Children of Toril' - them's the people with the caravan - show up. If you keep out of trouble, though, you'll probably get by with a few funny looks and whispering. Folks here aren't violent by nature, but I've seen plenty of visitors run out of town by ignorant rake-wielding mobs, ya know?"
