SE04 : EP41 - With Sickness and Your Health

The party begins to walk through the bleak marshlands. Light pokes through cloud choked sky. After a few hours journey they arrive at a town Ryder vaguely remembered the location. It's a small town, isolated a bit from the rest of the continent. Collection o buildings squat over narrow lanes and a few firepit squares.   They make their way toward the public house on the far side of town. The citizens seem fatigued and distant. A barman greets them offhandedly. Ryder remembers the face but can't recall anything about him. Purchasing a bottle of some dusty old wine they retire to a room. Shortly after they settle in a woman tries to enter and is spooked by their presence disappears back out for the doorway. They talk amongst themselves and determine finding Ryder's friends is the best way to get the story of what has happened to this world.    They travel out to seek Ryder's old haunts. First is a house beyond the edge of town. Ryder once lived here and checks for traps they might have left. After picking the lock they enter. Ryder finds a jacket they once owned, bloodstains appear soaking down from the neckline. The prominent scar on Ryder's neck matches the stain. Finding nothing else they move on.   Next, they make their way to another hideout. Ravens seem to gather around them as they walk. Ryder attempts to unlock the door breaking off one of the picks. Eñahkais  help him fish out the broken end. Daphix mends the tools allowing the thieves to open the lock. The interior is unfamiliar to Ryder.    As they explore the woman from the tavern. They seem to know Ryder and express surprise the rouge had come back. They talk of "The Family," a group of businessmen that came, and of the past. The language is vague and hard for the rest of the party to follow. They find her name is Bethany and she helped Ryder when everything went south and he was scared. As the party is introduced they all move into the house to continue the conversation.    The family is identified as the Marninacs. When these businessmen came the politics of the town shifted and most of the crime was brought to heel. They also hear of the abundance of birds, the darkening of the sky, and the occasional disappearances.