AA1.6 Introduction

[greg]

"It's a lovely village, Kos. I'm glad you found us last night."

[Rosisha]

Kos smiles, "Thank you! It is home!" He smiles and points, "The village elders are there, at the Shepherd's Hall" he points to a building across the way, and over the bridge. This building is large, with great glass windows. The walls are white washed, with a strong slate roof. Over the door is a small holy symbol, the same as the temple. A sign above the door reads "Shepherd's Hall." The building has a large grassy yard, carefully tended, and the building
itself is but a single room, dominated by a large table, and row after row of benches. The hall was built to regulate trade and is the last building of the village before you enter the pasture lands. Here shepherds can leave notices for each other, trade their herds, and also regulate the use of pasture land.

[Mak]

"Shall we anon, brethren?" says Ty. He often tries to sound more educated than he actually is.

With his long bow hooked casually over his shoulder, Ty marches into the Shepherd's Hall to see the elders.

[mordrin]

OOC: Kogan wanted to hit a bar first. Either is fine with me

[crazycrypt]

"Shall we anon, brethren?" says Ty. He often tries to sound more educated than he actually is.

With his long bow hooked casually over his shoulder, Ty marches into the Shepherd's Hall to see the elders.

"Ty, hold on," Kogan says, "Shouldn't we get cleaned up first?"

If not, Kogan will, feeling out of place like normal, follow along with the rest into Shepard's Hall looking for the elders. When we find them, Kogan will allow the others to speak first (CHA 7) as he prefers to not talk much.

OCC: Kogan wanted a place to wash up, since it was cold and rainy last night I figured everyone was a little muddy and would want to get cleaned up before going to see the town elders.

[Mak]

"Ty, hold on," Kogan says, "Shouldn't we get cleaned up first?"

OCC: Kogan wanted a place to wash up, since it was cold and rainy last night I figured everyone was a little muddy and would want to get cleaned up before going to see the town elders.

Ty looks down at his travel-stained clothes, still slightly damp from last night's downpour. "Good point."

He turns to Kos. "What do you think, lad? Do the elders wish to see us at once, or can we take an hour or two to spruce up beforehand?"

[Rosisha]

Kos nods, and quickly shows you where the Inn is. "No sir, nothing that can't wait till you're refreshed. Let me talk to the Innkeeper for you!"

NOTE: This is actual text from the module. If you see errors, or think it could be better, write about it in the OOC forum

The Inn is a large, white washed structure that is obviously the center of village activity. A set of stairs leads from the street, over the gutter, and into the main part of the building. A walled yard has a small stable and plenty of room for a market. Behind the building near the stream is a two story building with a large water wheel. Obviously a mill of some kind. From the door, into the Inn, comes the smell of fresh bread and stew. Inside a small crowd can be seen having a meal, being served by a pleasant halfling in a badly stained apron. This place serves as the village center, and is obviously very busy. The floors are old and sanded smooth by years of passing feet. Even the granite steps have a slight polish to them!

END TEXT

A small board by the door lists prices:

Breakfast - 2cp
Lunch - 3cp
Dinner - 2cp
Ale -3cp
Wine - 1sp
Room - 1sp/Night
Stabling - 1sp/Night

[mordrin]

Mmmm...stew....

Tauren veers off and heads directly over to order 6 lunches (presumably to share, although there are only 5 in the group...)

[crazycrypt]

Kogan is also going to order himself an ale to go with his lunch. "Anyone else up for some ale?" After they are finished eating Kogan will say "Why don't we get a few rooms and get cleaned up and then go looking for the elders?"

[mordrin]

While collecting all 6 bowls, Tauren makes small talk with the halfling server, eventually asking about the missing sheep.

[greg]

Eran looks for a place for the group to sit down for lunch.

[Rosisha]

The Innkeeper is an older halfling with thick gray hair, and a large smile. He nods as you all come in, seats you himself and helps bring you your food and drinks. As he is asked about what is going on, his smile falls and he nods, "Please, my brave friends, pull up a chair and I will do my best to speak to you about what has occurred here." He pauses and his eyes go distant. "First you must remember that Pineford is an old community, and we have grown close over the many years. First settled after the last barbarian migration from the North, Pineford has always been alone, always been dependent on each villager to hang in together against trouble. We have dealt with goblins, kobolds, and raiders, all together." He takes a sip of ale. "Then, many years ago, a dark form entered our world. Instead of the beautiful vistas to wake up too, we woke up to a dark being, a vile creature, an ancient magic-user who had risen from the grave by his own craft. He was powerful, and dark, and cast a pale over our valley. In terror we fled from him, though his interest was not in us. To the west is a temple, an ancient out post of warrior-monks who had fought against the Barbarians. Here the creature built up its dark power, twisting and torturing the forest and her creatures to serve its dark will. Salvation from this horror came in the form of a band of brave adventurers, much like yourselves, who had hunted the creature from afar. They gathered themselves and fought a pitched battle, raging against the creature and its vile defenses. It died. However, darkness had entered our heart and homes." He pauses again and drinks.

"Our village priest had long held this evil at bay, constantly bringing the will of the Shepherds Mother to bear against the evil born in the woods. Then the sheep began to disappear. Over and over this happened, no matter the prayers, the rituals, or the spells our lost priest sought to cast. Finally, hefting mace in hand, he left the temple and went into the woods to find this new threat. He was going to challenge it, fight it, and defeat it for us, to bring us safety. When he didn't return, the village elders organized a few brave souls, and they went into the woods. They did not have to go far. There, in a clearing, was our priest, his body was battered, drained of blood, and all that remained was his holy symbol and mace, and a dark trail of crushed plants and broken branches leading deeper into the forest. We do not know what is out there, but we know that the temple is the source of this evil."

He stops, his story finished, his eyes saddened. "If you can save us, I know the village elders would reward you. Please, do not leave us to the mercy of evil."