The fire crackled in the tavern of Jastrey, as the wind raced outside, striving to seep through the thick wooden walls.
It was the first real chill of the fall, a deep settled cold that forewarned of winter's inevitable approach. Any sensible being was inside, huddled up next to the fire longing for the lost days of summer.
One wretched creature was not.
He alone strode through the night, being lead to the tavern as if carried by the very wind itself.
He was a very pitiful creature indeed, wearing a shabby black cloak, with hood drawn. He walked with a limp, as if he was carrying a great burden. His back was arched and had a large hump, like he was cursed by some grotesque malformation.
He clambered up the stairs with great difficulty and fumbled with the latch. The doors swung open with great force as the chill of the night rushed in, eagerly invading the warm tavern. The creature struggled with the doors for a few moments, before finally managing to beat back the near ceaseless wind.
He slumped off to a secluded table in the back where he began rummaging through a large napsack. He strewed various trinkets in front of him before finally speaking.
In a raspy, almost eerie voice he spoke, "who will come and listen to this creature's tale?" He beckoned any onlookers to join him at his table.
Kade stepped into the tavern shortly after the creature with the hump. She pulled her cloack tighter around her shoulders and shivered, shaking off the last of the chill. Hearing the stranger beckon everyone around who would hear his tale, Kade walked across the tavern and took a seat at a table nearby to overhear what could be overheard and ordered a warm spiced cider from the serving girl.
The creature nods his head as a drink is laid in front of him, he rummages through his sack and pulls out the stem of a flower and drops it into his glass. He lowers his head to the stem and pulls the drink from the glass into his mouth. Through the light of the tavern, you see that he is wearing a mask under his hood, covering all of his face except for the darkened outline of his lips.
As the fae sat, the creature seemed taken aback if only for a moment before regaining his composure.
With a voice made slightly less raspy from the drink, he began.
"Good, some have come. I have traveled far and wide spreading my message. There is a great terror coming from the north and I need help performing a ritual to stop its coming. Listen to my poem and dismiss it not, for you lives, nay, the whole town is in danger."
(He begins speaking the lines of his poem slow at first, as if telling a ghost story)
Beware now my child,
Lock your doors at night,
Or a creature from the wild,
Shall deliver such a fright.
He flits about to and fro,
Upon the first chill wind,
He arrives to spread woe
Head my word as a godsend!
(His voice changes to a more sing-songy upbeat pace)
For he is oh so clever
And as quick as a flash
With skill beyond measure,
Your belongings he will trash!
(He hacks and coughs and his voice turns dark and grave)
For all the world is his joke,
And the punchline pain,
That cruel and cunning bloke,
The Fae Dayne
"Now you know my tale, will you grab one of the trinkets laid before me and help with the ritual?"
(before you lies a paintbrush that looks ruined because the paint wasnt washed off last time, a small vial with a swirling liquid in it, and a slimy looking small lizard's tail)
Poppy examines the stranger before her trying to decipher his origins. She hums along to the tune as he told his tale. "Ah, The winter court of course." The fae exclaimed clasping her hands together in realization has his song came to a close. "What is the ritual for exactly?" The other fae inquired a wicked grin on her face. She picked up the vial of liquid turning it in her hand and trying to examine it in the light. [forager 75, enchanter 70]
Azrael a slightly taller then most dwarf walks into the tavern his cloak wrapped around him tight. "Oh boy, it shall be a cold one." He notices a small group around a hooded figure with little hesitation approaches the stranger. Azrael not in battle armor but his mining outfit sits next to the man and looks him over. "I didn't hear the whole song, but doesn't seem like you're much of a singer any ways. What was that i hear about needing help though? I might not be the strongest dwarf around, but i shall always try to help someone in need. For the right cause that is." He looks over the iteams on the table before picking up the lizards tail. "Are you going to eat this?"
"Glad you could join us kind dwarf. I was telling the others here that we need to perform a ritual to keep the dreaded Fae Dayne away from these lands, for he is a wicked fellow indeed. Glad you chose the Kriplet's tail, please dont eat it. It is needed for the ritual. I will write all the instructions down for each of you."
(Poppy vial)
(Azrael tail)
(Once everyone takes an item, I will post instructions)
(I wanted to get in without having to make him repeat everything. Forgive me!)
Siska sat perched in the dark shadows on a roofing beam right above the small group. Having heard the whole song she watched with great interest. It was unlike her to be taken in so quickly by a stranger but little excitement had entered the Tavern in the past few days.
(The brush contains no magical properties. It is simply a crusty old paintbrush)
“These items are used to create a public display in your tavern, your central gathering place, that will act as a ward to drive off the wicked little creature. For there is no greater magic than when townsfolk rise up to do such a grand display of unity and bravery, your proclamation will echo through the land. This will be guaranteed to thwart his mischievous plans. Do my ritual and this town will be safe from this creature, as it has worked in the past.”
The stranger grabs his sack of items and hobbles over to the door. He rummages around a bit before laying three more items in front of him and also a can of red paint.
“You must take the brush and paint the symbols that I have painted in the past, onto the tavern door. The creature knows and despises them with all his icy heart. First you must start with the number eight, for that is number of times, I have stopped his approach. Then you must paint a symbol of your unwavering unity, something long and strong, an equals sign. Last you must paint the first letter of the wicked creature’s name, D for Dayne. Display this symbol for one fortnight and the wickedness shall pass, and don’t worry my friends, the paint washes with water.”
He motions for the dwarf to come close.
“As he paints, so must you help. Wave the lizard’s tail over the items I have laid here before you and say the incantation that rings in the creature’s ears. Say it loud and proud, let your strength be known! Over the rock you say ‘Igna.’ This is short for igneous, it is tough and durable and honest. Over the candle, you say ‘Ray.’ It represents light and warmth, things the creature has never known. Finally you say ‘Moss.’ This was taken from the mighty oak in the first town in whence the creature was stopped. It is imperative that you say the incantation in order. It is the only way!”
The stranger limps over to the Fae, and leads her to the opposite side of the room, by the fire.
“Your job is the most important. After the eighth time the incantation has been said, crack the vial and toss it at your companion’s feet. The vial contains a scent that the creature despises most. It smells of the warmest summer day. I know you share the same lineage as the creature, but you must show that you are above his wickedness.”
The stranger mustered up the loudest raspy voice he could,
“You know your tasks, and what the stakes may be. Everyone, join in with the incantation, prevent his coming!”
Azrael walks over to the iteams on the ground as he holds the lizards tail. He clears his throat and with a mighty roar he yelled "IGNA" then after a pause he yelled "RAY" and finally he yells "MOSS" as he passed the lizards tail over each item. He starts to say is faster till it just sounds like one word. "IGNARAYMOSS"..."IGNARAYMOSS"..."IGNARAYMOSS".
Kade watched her fellow adventurers and it was all she could do to hide her spasming. Everything within her wanted to double over with laughter, but she held her peace and lifted her hood to cover her toothy grin. What harm could there be in letting her fellow Jastreyans act the fool for a while?
"As a rule, I don't normally partake in magic rituals with people I hardly know, stranger. There are some very powerful adventurers who reside in Jastrey. I'm sure we can handle ourselves against whatever this entity you speak of is. Perhaps if we knew more about it...?", the duskling said to the newcomer.
"I have told the tale and sung my song. This creature is not to be trifiled with. He targets the least capable among you. Do this ritual not for yourself or the other strong warriors, but for the weak and young, those who cannot defend themselves."
The stranger hobbles over to the bucket of paint and sticks his finger into it. He then walks over to the duskling.
"See, just paint. There is nothing foul here. I am not asking you to write any magical runes or anything of that nature. All I ask is that you draw three symbols on the door. A symbol of your strength and commitment to your town. You seem like a capable fellow. Why don't you check yourself for any tainted magics? I am but a simple messenger, with tidings of foul times. We have very little time!
He faces the tavern.
"Or maybe there is someone else among you who would think of the greater good and perform this task?"
Poppy sits glances inbetween the two as the spit there insults back and worth. She decides after seeing the two interact before that it was best not to step inbetween the two. She sets the vial back down on the table and shifted through her pelt for a flask that she poured the contents of into the her small teacup. "Gnat? that is new one, dont think I have heard that one before" she said with a soft chuckle taking a sip from the teacup
Between the dwarf's shouting and the back and forth between the others in the tavern, the stranger uses the ruckus to slip away. His step going much light than before and his gait containing no limp.
"They didn't head my warning, now they shall pay the price." He thought to himself, chuckling lightly, as he headed towards the kitchens.
Garen was stopping by the Shady Corner tavern to pick up some rations for the trail. He heard the hooded figure ask if there were any who would listen to him. Normally a cautious person, Garen's curiosity got the better of him and he approached the cloaked person. "I have trials ahead of me stranger, and could use with some distraction. Tell me your story and have a drink on me", the duskling motioned to the serving girl to bring the stranger a pint. Garen produced his own waterskin from within his robe and took a sip, waiting for the person to continue.