The Dance of Souls

[Knight Otu]

You move a bit past the Wishing Well, and at the point where the street and the market meet a small crowd is gathered, laughing and chuckling, at the speech of a man standing on an empty crate. Whatever the virtues of that man might be - soberness clearly isn't one of them. Thin and tall, the man wears clothes that indicate that he isn't exactly poor. However, his brown hair and beard are poorly groomed, and his blue eyes dart around, as if he expects to be pounced from somewhere.

"Ya dunwan go dere, shir!" he yells out at your question. "De de Ladeh ah'Lharad ish dere!! Ah sheen 'er, ah ded! Ish un wam...wam...beer. 'lood-shukkin' shpeerit!!" More laughter from the crowd, and one of the onlookers comments "He sees many spirits, you understand? You're looking for the a'Larat estate? Straight ahead, and before the last building, take the street right, and you're there."

 

[Xaov]

Thank you for clarifying that sir. Tell me does this sort of thing happen often?
This man going on like this? do you perhaps have any idea what spirits he might be talking about? Or is it best to regard it as drunken hallucinations.

 

[Patlin]

Skulking about cautiously, Banion looks toward the a'Larat estate and then back toward the crowd.

 

[Knight Otu]

Banion doesn't see anything suspicious at the a'Larat estate, which may have to do with the fact that actually cannot see it - his line of sight is obscured by other buildings.

"Yah'll mead 'er i'ya go dere! Ya dunwan mead 'er!" the drunk continues his tirade "Ah'mosht bet mah, 'er ded! 'er ish mahd, widout 'er pishture!" He now fixes his gaze on the cart. "Ya breeng id bag?"

The man Azaroth spoke to replies "He's seeing alcoholic spirits, of course. And then rants about stupid things, such as Lady a'Larat being a vampire, or the city swarming with giant rats."

 

[Xaov]

Hah I suppose it's what happens when a person puts their life in a bottle. I mean its not like he would even have any proof of it.

 

[Patlin]

The man Azaroth spoke to replies "He's seeing alcoholic spirits, of course. And then rants about stupid things, such as Lady a'Larat being a vampire, or the city swarming with giant rats."

ooc: Ack! Splutter! Suppressing out of character knowledge.... OK, better now.

 

[Xaov]

Unless the man he talks to has anything further of interest say such as any proof that the giant rats and spirits the guy sees might be real. Azaroth will thank the man and ride back to his comrades.

Well a gentleman from the town just informed me of where we can locate the Alarat estate. A local drunk also claims that things are amiss at the Alarat estate. He claims he saw a lot of spirits there. Not to mention that he claims that A'larat's wife... is a vampire.

It appears that what we were told about at least A'larat's skeletons was true.

There was something else the drunk said, most of the townsfolk merely brushed off as drunken rants. He said something about there being giant rats running about in the city. While we know the talk of the vampire is real. These other things, the spirits, the rats they could just be the man's drunkenness getting him. But I think its best we approach cautiously.

But shall we approach nonetheless?

 

[Patlin]

"Let's try to get this done in daylight, but yeah, we keep going."

 

[SlagMortar]

"Yeah, let's get on with it."

 

[Knight Otu]

The group follows the directions given them by the man, followed by the drunk's rantings, and soon stands at the entrance to the a'Larat estate - an iron fence surrounding an elaborate garden, dotted with several trees, and a pathway to the large, clearly noble house. At the gate, one of the men who accompanied a'Larat to the Red Dragon inn stands, and recognizing the arrivals, he bids them to wait at the gate, and rushes to the house. A few moments later, a'Larat and a boy come out, through the tree-shaded entrance, then along the sun-lit pathway. The boy runs out of the gate and is soon out of sight. A'Larat holds two purses, one noticeable heavier than the other.
"Ze boi vill ahlert Godo of yoor ahrrivahl. Ai trust ehvereezing to bee resohlved to oor cohntract?"