The village of Orchard Meadows nestles in a picturesque valley between rolling hillsides that are a riot of white, pink, and yellow blossoms. Wildflowers carpet the floor beneath the fruit trees and skylarks sing sweetly in the azure sky. Many beehives dot the orchards, while pigs and goats trawl the ground for windfalls. Orchard workers stare at you, gawking at your strange dress, armor, and weapons.
Not far from where you enter the village, you come first, across what must be the local temple. It is a low wooden building, with an apple bough above the door. Upon entering and inquiring for Ernest a young acolyte informs you that he is part of the town council and is with them presently at the municipal building across the street. This cream colored stone building dominates the town square. A badly painted coat-of-arms, over emphasizing an apple motif, hangs above the door. Two guards lounge sleepily on wicker chairs before a set of double doors.