The Reconquista: Part I (Shadows over Istivin)

[Branding Opportunity]

Morley steps up with a bored air. "My name is Morley Stendal, sometimes called One Shot, and I am a citizen of these parts. I'm here on personal business to inquire on some adventurers currently residing in this fair city. I only expect to be here a few days at most. Dreams? I sleep he uninterrupted sleep of one who is at piece with his actions. That is a most unusual question, why do you ask? I have been severely wounded on several occations," Morley pauses to show a few scars, "some of these are from undead, but the flame of life has never been snuffed from me. I am no shade or wraith if that is what you are asking. I am a Ranger and my patron is Berei." At this point he holds up the well worn, but finely carved wooden holy symbol on a leather thong around his neck.

The guards nods a few time, making small notations in his ledger, and waves Morley through. "Enjoy your stay," he says in a perfunctory fashion.

 

[Seeten]

And Anastasia, last but not least:

What is your name? "Anastasia Winterheart, Paladin of Mayaheine, Shield of the Faithful."

What is your purpose in Istivin? “Church Business.”

How long have you been travelling together? “A few days now.”

What is your religion? “I have sworn life and service to the Lady Mayaheine”

Where did you get that armor? “From the High Priest of Mayaheine, a gift to protect me while crusading in Mayaheines name.”

Have you ever been to Saltmarsh? “I've been to a lot of places.”

Have you been having any nightmares lately? “What an odd question. No, of course not. Are people having nightmares? What is going on?”

Have you ever been killed? “What a very odd question to ask. Of course I've not been killed, I'd be enjoying eternal rest, if I had. Why would you ask that?”

Have you ever been hurt by undead? “Undead refuse to come near the righteous.”

How many torches are you carrying? “2.”

How about gold? “Its useful at times.”

Where were those coins minted? “They were minted in Sterich, I would say...”

Why haven't you spent them yet? “People keep giving them to me faster than I can spend them, not that its any of your business”

Anastasia looks at the man, quite unhappy about the questions, and asks him, "Is there an Undead Menace attacking Istivin? What is going on here?"

 

[Branding Opportunity]

The guards keeps on asking Anastasia questions, ignoring her counter questions with a shrug or a wave of his hand. Every now and then he mutters, "Sorry, I can't answer that right now, these are just formalities. There's been trouble here of late, and we just have to check to make sure everything is order before letting you in, milady."

To her final question he answers, "No. No undead, not that I've seen anyway." The guardsman then waves her through with the rest.

 

[Branding Opportunity]

As your group passes through Javan Gate a sense of foreboding fills your hearts, as if you had just heard about the death of a loved one. Something is amiss in Istivin, but it is hard to pinpoint exactly how you all know this. Perhaps it is the distant coldness in people's eyes, maybe that the shadows seem darker and longer here, sounds seems harsher and more shrill, people hold themselves as if there is no joy in their life.

You have all seen first hand what a war can do to people, how one can loose hope, become bitter and callous to the pain of others, but here is something different, something even more sinister. It is a cold detachment with something darker lurking behind it: rage.

You cross into Gate Square and immediately see the dozens of beggars huddled around small fires against the cold of the early spring morning. Upon seeing your group they leap to their feet, shuffling toward you. Many have lost limbs, eyes or ears, most likely in the war. They push towards you, surrounding you quickly and hold out thin arms for anything you can spare.

A particularly thin, blind old man clutches at the hem of Anastasia's clothing, "Spare a copper for a blind, old man, milady?"

 

[Thanee]

Latalya

While Latalya makes her way through the gate, she speaks to the guard again.

“Thank you, Emil. Have a nice day. Oh, could you maybe tell me, who ordered to ask all of these questions?”

Later, when she finds herself on the Gate Square surrounded by starving beggars, she wraps her cloak tightly around herself and moves on, saying: “I'm sorry, I don't have enough coppers for all of you and I will not give coins to some of you, so you start fighting over them. I will, however, see to it, that you get some good food this evening! Now, make room, please, or I won't be able to.”

 

[Branding Opportunity]

While Latalya makes her way through the gate, she speaks to the guard again.
“Thank you, Emil. Have a nice day. Oh, could you maybe tell me, who ordered to ask all of these questions?”

Upon hearing Latalya's question, Emil turns and looks around him to make sure no one is overhearing him. He then whispers under his breath, "It's the Marchioness, ma'am, in conjunction with Verbane, the Chief Wizard. Istivin has become a dangerous place, and everyone rightly fears for their life." He shakes his head, his eyes distant.

 

[Seeten]

A particularly thin, blind old man clutches at the hem of Anastasia's clothing, "Spare a copper for a blind, old man, milady?"

Anastasia looks down at him, compassionately, and puts her hand on his shoulder, firmly. She channels a small bit of her power into him, mending any injury he suffers that is mendable, and places a cp into his palm. "Mayaheine be with you." She says to him.

She turns to her companions, "I have a bad feeling about this. Something dark and sinister is at work here."

 

[Hypersmurf]

She turns to her companions, "I have a bad feeling about this. Something dark and sinister is at work here."

Reivik nods slowly, turning his head to take in both the beggars, and the less-impoverished citizens going about their business.

"It's not right," he agrees. "They've lived to see the end of a war, to see their city restored. There should be a sense of hope, of a new beginning. Instead, there's only... anger."

"I can understand that from them," he continues, indicating the maimed and unfortunate at their pitiful fires. "And even the others have a right to be angry. But it shouldn't be consuming them all like this."

"It's not right," he repeats stubbornly.

 

[Branding Opportunity]

Anastasia looks down at him, compassionately, and puts her hand on his shoulder, firmly. She channels a small bit of her power into him, mending any injury he suffers that is mendable, and places a cp into his palm. "Mayaheine be with you." She says to him.

The pale beggar's features soften for a moment as your healing magic courses through him. He greatfully grasps the coin in his hand, but then something odd happens. His sightless eyes get a piercing look in them and he quickly whispers, "Beware. It is always watching." He quickly lets go and begins to walk away.

 

[Seeten]

"We must find out what is going on here. Reivik, George, can you two do some digging and find out WHAT is always watching?" She looks around, focusing on finding any sources of evil within range.