The Lamentation of Lolth - Chapter I

[Majin]

Trond takes Ayden's hand and shakes it, as well as gives the man a warm smile. The big man seems more gentle than one might think upon first glance. "Certainly, you may even have some food brought to you and eat in the private dining room if you'd like."

 

[hippocrachus]

"Where do you come from, friend? I can't help but notice you seem...out of place?" he asks making small talk. Noticing the squeeks and making guesses.

 

[Verbatim]

"I'd gathered he could understand, we've been having a quick chat. Well, I've been talking and your friend has been very patiently listening." Andreas smiles at the newcomer.

"Moss is his name, is it? I was wondering how we'd manage introductions. I'm Andreas Darants, wizard and general curious nuisance." He shakes hands with both Moss and the newcomer.

Smiling, and hoping Mosslime did not mind others calling him by a shortened name, Ayden shook the wizard's hand and introduced himself also.

"I am Ayden Wyvernspur, part priest and part ministrel in the service of Finder, and this is Moss, or Mosslime if you feel the need to be formal."

Looking towards the sheriff then back to Andreas, Ayden does not want to be rude to either man, but feels the sheriff's business is not to be treated lightly.

"I do not wish to be rude, but Sheriff Trond's request is not one I wish to hold up any longer than necessary. If you are not in a rush, perhaps he can help with your curious nature?"

Motioning to the barkeep, Ayden calls out as he follows the others into the back room. "A water and stew please, as well as anything that Moss might want."

 

[Velmont]

At the last warning of Trond, Sielwoodan turn around, stopping starring at the fire.

"I am a guide, and an able hunter. I don't know what is your problem, but at the risk of being taken for a greedy man, my purse start to grow thin, so I may be willing to give an hand to you if it pay. Sadly, the forest give much, but you need some gold to survive in these lands of man."

He grabs his backpack and put it on his back and stand up.

"Sorry, I wasn't listening, where is that room you reserved?"

 

[Majin]

Looking to see that there are no others interested in joining Trond motions for those remaining to follow him. He leads you through the doorway and into the private room with the others. The room is dominated by a large rectangular table with ten chairs. Four on each side and one each at the head and foot of the table, respectively.

Trond makes his way to the head of the table but does not sit down. He rests his axe against the side of the chair and stands, waiting for everyone to find their seats. "I have taken the liberty of treating you all to some drink. If you would like there is wine for all of you," he says motioning to several bottles of wine and glasses set up in the center of the table. A waitress comes in with Ayden's meal and water. "That will be five silver and a copper sir."

Trond waits patiently for Ayden to pay for his meal and makes sure everyone is comfortable before continuing.

"First of all I would like to thank all of you for taking the time to hear my plight. As I have told most of you, my name is Trond Svenson. I am the Sheriff of the nearby farming community, Orchard Meadows, 20 miles to the northwest. I've travelled here to Dagger Falls in hopes of hiring those who would help us in our current situation. I'm afraid our village is much too small to commonly house anyone who might fit that description other than myself and a few guards, but even combined we do not have the strength to sort things out. He pauses for a moment, seeming to be struggling with something before continuing, finally revealing his story.

"Our village borders a swamp, The Feverglades it is called by the locals and it's... denizens. It is currently being inhabited by lizardfolk, that go by the name of the Broken Axe clan. Now up until recently they have been quite peaceful, never giving the village any trouble at all, and even occasionally trading with some of the locals. This we all thought, was very strange behavior for lizardfolk to take, but since they were not hostile in any way towards us we simply accepted them."

Trond's face darkens slightly as he continues his tale, "But recently... things have changed. They've taken to harrassing the village and passer by. They seem angry about something. They've even planned raids on local farms! What I wish of you all, is to travel to Orchard Meadows. Meet with the Mayor and the town council. I am on this council I can arrange the meeting with Mayor Applebottom. He is most desperate to clear things up and would be very interested in making a deal with you. I can answer most questions you may have, but some I will reserve entirely for the mayor to answer. Will you help us?"

 

[Verbatim]

Taking the coins from his purse quickly, Ayden smiled and nodded his thanks to the waitress, slipping her an extra silver before she left.

~It never hurts to help those who help you...~

As she left, Ayden refocused his attention on the sheriff as he began to speak to them. When the sheriff opened the floor to them, Ayden spoke the first question that came to his mind.

"Sheriff, while you have told us that the lizardfolk have began acting hostile, I have to ask you this, has something changed in the town that would cause the lizard folk to begin acting hostile? What I mean is has anyone in the town done anything that the lizard folk would see as a threat?"

 

[Manzanita]

Drogo

"Yes, this is the sort of mission I would be glad to undertake. The different races can generally live together agreably, as long as open communication can be established."

 

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

"Where do you come from, friend? I can't help but notice you seem...out of place?" he asks making small talk. Noticing the squeeks and making guesses.

*Looking sideways at the elf, Meekis answers quickly before Trond starts talking.*

"I am of the svirfneblin, the deep gnomes, driven from my home by the drow and demons they commanded," he answers briefly, his eyes darting about. Quickly he shifts his attention to the Sheriff.

*After he lays out his dilemma, Meekis' mind whirls in activity.*

It would be best to scout out and see and hear what makes them angry. If we know their reasons we can undo the cause, but it will take time and caution... he thinks to himself, waiting to hear what the others put forth before he speaks his mind.

 

[Majin]

Regarding Ayden, Trond shakes his head slightly and replies, "No Mr. Wyvernspur, to my knowledge nothing has changed and the town has done nothing to anger the lizardfolk. The Mayor occasionally meets with an ambassador sent from the swamp, but shortly before the attacks and harrassment began the ambassador stopped coming. When I inquired with Mayor Applebottom about this he didn't have a clue as to why they stopped coming. He said the last meeting was cordial as usual, nothing out of the ordinary at all."

 

[Verbatim]

Regarding Ayden, Trond shakes his head slightly and replies, "No Mr. Wyvernspur, to my knowledge nothing has changed and the town has done nothing to anger the lizardfolk. The Mayor occasionally meets with an ambassador sent from the swamp, but shortly before the attacks and harrassment began the ambassador stopped coming. When I inquired with Mayor Applebottom about this he didn't have a clue as to why they stopped coming. He said the last meeting was cordial as usual, nothing out of the ordinary at all."

Nodding his head at the Sheriff's words, Ayden had doubted that the community would openly try to cause trouble, especially if the town was as weak as the Sheriff made his town seem.

Looking over to Moss, Ayden switched quickly to Draconic as he spoke.

"If we are to go with them, you must be prepared to accept that some will only see you as another type of lizard man, regardless of how wrong they will be."

Turning back to face the Sheriff, after making sure Moss understood what he meant, Ayden's face was deep in thought.

"Sir, what aid I can provide for you I will give, but I cannot speak for the others. I only ask for room and board while I am there, so that I may pray for Finder's blessing and guidance."