Session III: Exploring Springoa Crossroads Report

Everyone woke up to the sound of Stygg calling out for "Sorella". Stygg was not forthcoming with the details of his dream, other than to say he wanted to leave town, that something else was drawing him onward, but he agreed to meet with the "Previous", and hear him out as the group was bidden to do.
  The group left, heading past the tavern again, which was quite lively to come to the Prevosts office. Entering the door which was unlocked, the party entered. With no-one inside, Brea, Drinn and Vaida walk over to a large map of the area on one wall, and begin inspecting the map, the notice something erased from the map, and quick thinking from Vaida and Brea, allowed them to take a rubbing revealing the erased label, which had marked a Mining Village.
  While they are researching the Map, Taysia finds a open letter on the desk, and notes that it is from the Marshal of Coosyork, who was all but threaten the Prevost, apparently seeking to establish its own garrison within the town, reminding the leader that the knights are not allowed to enforce Imperial law outside the town without his blessing, which is not given.
  The group decided to leave, heading toward the Tavern, where they met Cardwell Bright. A pompous Merchant who demanded their assistance in finding his missing Caravan. He believes it is the Orcs, and would like to pay for this to be proven, and his good returned to him. He warns that it is urgent as the trap on the missing crates would leave everyone "Knowing it had been Opened" His vailed comment alluding to some large explosion apparently.
  The group, not thinking much of the man, follow his directions towards the Inn where he believed the Prevost was going. The run into him outside the Lobby of the Ardyns Hearth. He explains that he indeed is more worried about The missing Caravan, and ending the blight that is Cardwell Bright's endless chanting that the Orcs are a danger. He begs them to take care of it, and offers them payment after services are rendered. He also pays them for there success against the Highwaymen they defeated, in the hope. The party convince him to try and get Cardwell to arrange for a Wagon to carry the Crates when they are found.
  He also advises that if they are not heading out of town, that checking with the healer about the original mission was not out of the question, but that the sooner they can resolve the issue with Cardwell, the far better for everyone. He was also certain the Orcs had nothing to do with it, and entrusted a Bloody Axe he said would allow a audience with the Chief Almthu.
  While this was happening, Stygg deviated towards the blacksmith and armourer shops, and Negotiated with his pelts for use the Leatherworkers tools and rack. When the rest of the group emerged, the found Stygg, cleaning the human skin he had taken from the Highwaymen they had faced previously. Taysia used an illusion to keep anyone from noticing the Skin on the rack was human, while staying out of the way of Styggs focus.
  The party continued on without Taysia or Stygg to speak to the healer in Fit as a Fiddle. There they were met by a woman who tells the group about the man she is currently treating. The man is in a horrifying state, just screaming while he is secured to his bed, as he tries to thrash about.
  Drinn, using her telepathy, and tries to see into his mind. His mind is so focused on the events, and trauma, that she receives an unusually clear vision of his trauma. Seeing a Mountain side village, a large building in the town, him locked in a room, alternating between endless falling, and glimpses of some tall horrifying figure, and falling again, until in one moment he sees an almost look of pity from his captor, who releases him. He runs away from the mountains, and manages to make it away from the village, and into the woods, he runs until his legs give out on him, and he collapses, and suddenly he is falling again... and his mind is trapped remembering this cycle endlessly.
  They also find out about how Tim the local blacksmith was once a victim of this same affliction, and that the Local Tailor helped nurse a friend of his back to health from the same state before his friend left the town. The party decided that it was best not to tramatize these folks with questions, and thought it likely that the abandoned mining town they had discovered on the map may have something to do with the disappearances, and made a note to explore that location.
  While this is taking place, Stygg has noticed Taysia and began telling her more about the dream, about a Vision of a Large Goliath, who spoke to him, and bid him into battle to defend Eldridth. He remembered fighting Orcs and then a tall hooded figure threaten him, and then showed Sorella burning... he showed Taysia the gifted neckless he wears about his wrist.
  Vaida went and asked the Temple Priest about any books about the ancient war against Azar. He said they would have plenty, but that the Library is in disarray, and that he would appreciate it being cleaned. Vaida explained they were on an urgent mission. The Priest asked if they could perhaps clean the prayer rooms, or fix some holes in his roof. Brea who wondered over during the conversation, offered that when they return she could assist as well.
  The group went back towards the armourer, and met up with Taysia and Stygg leaving, Stygg having added his new "Pelt" to his kilt. The party then travelled into the market. There while Stygg was watching a Juggler, the party began to notice a pair of knights searching the market. This sent Vaida hiding into around stalls to stay out of sight of the searching knights. Stygg also noticed a basket, giggling and rocking behind him. He leans to settle it. When he next lift his hand the girls pop out of the basket, breaking it attempting to scare Stygg. He tries very hard to appear actually scared, but the two girls call his bluff, calling each other by name Casey and Kiera. The girls say just enough to before being taken away by the two Knights, who mentioned they are of the Dunlop Family, the local noble house.
  Brea also saw a friend of hers from the past, who had also clearly had seen her, and was attempting to not be recognized. Brea allowed her to leave without saying anything to her. The group purchased some rations for the road, Taysia taking some Luxury Rations, and the rest taking basic rations. While they were pursuing the groceries stall, the halfling that Stygg and Brea had shared a song with in the tavern the night before (an old folk song about a secret tunnel under the mountains) approached Stygg, hoping to join their group. He had much heart and wanted to be an adventurer. Stygg accepted the small man, picking him up onto his shoulder. Stygg joined the rest of the group with the halfling.
  The group questioned him, wondering on his readiness for adventure. He had with him only his normal clothing and a wooden sword he said his sister had given him. Brea, attempting to show the Halfling the dangers and need for better equipment grabbed the wooden sword from him, and in a swift move hit him with it, causing a small amount of damage to him. She explained it was useless in real combat, snapping the sword in half. The halfling was horrified, and slightly frightened, but still willing to join them. Brea mended his sword handing it back to him, she offered to pay for him to get some better equipment from the groups funds, Stygg agreed to assist the small man with getting his equipment. The party split up again, Stygg taking Hons to Tim the blacksmith for a new weapon, Brea went to speak with Cardwell again, while Taysia, Drinn and Vaida heading to "A little bit of Everything" the local trinket Shop.
  There they shopped around at allot of the very unusual items. A bottle of whisky that refills every morning caught Taysia's eyes especially. While the rest of the group was shopping, Vaida approached the Shopkeeper, a Loxodon, and attempted to sell a couple of Rib Bones. The others were a little weirded out, but she managed to use presidigitation to convince the shop keeper that she had two bones that were worth the cost, but they could not reach an agreed price even when the price offered for both bones reached 400 gold. The Shopkeeper agreed that she would seek out other buyers to broker a deal for a larger price. Vaida left, worried she may of just made a mistake.
  Brea spoke with Cardwell again, who was still in the bar, trying to stir up unrest against the Orcs to drive people to search for his lost crates. She managed to strike a deal with him, to have him provide a cart with animals to pull it so that the crates can be carried back, and accompany them along the road as well. They agreed to be ready to travel in three days time, sealed their deal with a hand shake.
  Stygg Managed to negotiate for a dagger, A small wooden Crossbow from Tim the Blacksmith as well, and worked a deal out with the Local armourer to get Hons fitted for some leather armor. Stygg left Hons with the armourer to rejoin his compainons. Hons was very excited to be joining the group. Stygg forgetting which direction the group was in, told him to meet them in the VFD room to the south.
  The group gathered a final time, and watched the performance of Lysander, which drew a very large crowd. During the performance illusions danced in the air above the crowd, and his music was quite litterally enchanting. The entire party becoming enthralled by his performance. Everyone is now very excited, and wanting to find a reason to stay another day in town. Everyone but Brea is also now suspecious of the Prevost, The countess, and the Knights. They wonder what kind of colusion is occuring against the people of the region by these folks. Stygg especially wonders at this, and is ready to take action should one be found.
  This is where we ended our session last time.