Strange Happenings In White Falls

A crackling fire warms the patrons of Riordan's rest on this chilly winter day, but the staff of the tavern more than make up for the cold.

The tavern is bustling with the business of familar faces, and new travelers with tales untold and names unknown. Riordan is in his familiar place behind the bar, mixing up drinks and occasionally stirring something that smells absolutely fantastic on the stove. His serving staff quickly attends to the needs of the customers with an attentive smile and quick service.

Riordan can be overheard speaking to one of the serving wenches by the counter...

"I hate this cold weather! We haven't had a single traveler stay in one of our rooms upstairs for well over a week. In fact, looking back over the past few weeks, travel through this area has slowed down quite a bit. I wonder if there is war or strife about that is keeping people away?"

Suddenly, the door of Riordan's tavern swings open and a burst of cold air sweeps through the tavern, chilling the patrons and staff. A lone traveler steps through from the cold, shaking snow from his clothes and rubbing his hands together for warmth.

He pauses a moment, looking at the scene before him, and recognizes Riordan. Quickly walking up towards the bar, he opens his sachel along the way, handing over a well-wrapped parcel to the cheerful barman.

"Package for you sir, from the elvenlands." He happily hands the package to Riordan and inquires about the soup.

At this same moment, Sedric, hearing Riordan speak of rooms walks up to the counter and states his willingness to rent one of these rooms. The road has been cold and harsh and he could use a good night's sleep for once.

Looking somewhat bewildered at the sudden flurry of activity... Riordan returns his gaze to Sedric. "Very good then. Go on ahead and take your things to the room and get settled in, we can talk once things calm down here" glances to Rose, "Rose will show you the way." Turning to the traveler, and quickly looking over the accompanying package, Riordan places it to the side "Thank you for the package... I hope that the Lady Meriae and Sithanalis are well?"

Looking out over the assembled faces, none of whom can seem to keep their eyes off the soup. Riordan smiles and announces to the room "I guess that this is about ready then..." and quickly starts to ladle bowls full of his extra chunky chicken noodle soup and place them into the hands of the patrons gathered round the counter. As he hands a bowl to the traveler, Riordan says "I would have a word with you once your belly is full and you have warmed yourself by the fire."

The doors of the tavern open with a howl of wind from the harsh outside as a dark cloaked figure walks in. The figure makes his way to an open table, lifting his hood back to reveal the scarred visage of Mezmeric. Looking around and smirking slightly he waves to Riorden. "This weather is not kind to these old bones these days m'old friend. Have you the supplies I asked for? The storehouses at the manor are finding themselves a bit lean as of late." Looking to the messenger with interest, "Ahh, a herald, what news of the Barony do you bring good Sir andhow does the winter find Sir Sithis and Lady Lewellyn?" Glancing back to Riorden and motioning to himself "Some stew and a mug of your finest ,my friend, to keep this damned chill away ."

The messenger glances up from his soup long enough to see the newcomer enter the tavern, and quickly goes back to devouring the tasty concoction. At the mention of "news" of the barony he perks up a bit and clears his throat.

"The fine Lord and Lady fare well this winter. The elves' hospitality and warm southern winds keep them in good health and good spirits. They sent me switftly along to carry their love back here to you fine folk with the message that as soon as the rivers run full with the thaw, they will return. As for the news of the outside world, all remains to be seen, but I can say one thing. There are strange things afoot not far from here. News of a strange beast wandering the forest seems to touch the villages near here, and, unfortunately, on my way here I came through a small hamlet by the name of White Falls which was utterly deserted. Well, deserted except for the gruesome remains of it's former inhabitants."

The messenger grows grave as he relates this latest news to the gathered group inside the tavern, his face a carved mask of sorrow.

The messenger, drawn back from whatever reverie he was enveloped in, raises his eyes from the table to Riordan. A look of deep sorrow is threaded into his eyes, but his face attempts a stoic glance revealing nothing of his inner struggle.

"The villagers were... torn and broken. It looked as if ... they had been ripped open and spread across the snowy landscape. The ground was dotted with patches of white in an otherwise red sea of destruction and horror." The mask of stoicism breaks, and he quickly closes his eyes, squeezing them shut, as if to turn off the images that must be burnt into his mind's eye.

Placing a comforting hand on the shoulder of the troubled man, Riordan takes a deep breathe and steels himself to the task ahead. Looking at the messenger Riordan softly says "I will go and investigate this myself. I cannot let such a thing go unanswered."

Standing up and looking around the room- making eye contact with each assembled adventurer in turn as he speaks. "I must go and investigate this thing that has happened. I have a farmer friend from there to check up on and we cannot let such an evil things happen and I fear that this may spell trouble for the other small towns nearby. Who is with me?"

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