" And naught would be left save shattered thrones with no rulers. But the dead dragons shall rule the world entire, and . . ."

-from the Chronicles of Years to Come, a book of prophecy by the oracle Maglas, as translated by Sammaster the Mad, founder of the Cult of the Dragon







Our adventure begins in a small town nestled inbewteen the The High Forest and the Evermoor, around one hundred miles east of Yartar, following the road. Roughly seven hundred people reside here, mostly humans with some being of dwarven or elven ancestry. Drungelle is the name of this town, which is now finally being released by winters grasp, the snow finally melted away and trees starting to bud. A cold chill still haunts the air, but the longer days and brighter sun will soon quell this cold. It is here that we find our heros, travelling towards Drungelle, looking for a few days worth of rest and lodging, after travelling so long on the weary road behind them. Not much has happened since they left Yartar. There they had found good food and nice people, and hoped to find the same in Drungelle. Their ultimate quest still lingering in the back of their minds...

Four weeks ago a vision seen by all four of them in the early morning had them meet on the streets. It had called them to go their, something willed them to exit their respected homes and finally stop on the streets. Only a few things could of been picked out of this vision. A deep dark forest was the first thing they seen, evil looking eyes peered at them through the wood, a menacing presence could be felt over them all. Next were tall mountain peaks, shear rock and snow, thousands of feet jutting into the sky. And the last, a large, dry, windy desert, the gust whipping up sand and rocks, and one very large, dark mass moving slowly towards the sword coast. they couldnt see through the sand but whenever it moved the earth shook and a rumbling sound echoed off of the sand dunes. Slowly on the large flank of this dark mass an eye opened, slit like a cat eye and red like blood. A shrill screech echoed through out their minds and then the visioned zoomed out at a tremondous speed, over looking the sword coast, woods burning and cities crumbled, water running with the colour of crimson.

Their minds blacked and they awoke, standing in a square. They all felt compelled and overwhelmed, some brought to tears, other fell to their knees. A voice whispered in their heads...

Go to Drungelle, your first challenge will be there. Stop at Yartar on the way, they will tell you where to go...,


That was four weeks ago, and now they finally made it. Drungelle. A half a mile outside of town, and they almost missed it. A path meandered off of the beaten road, and a felled sign was quickly spotted. It pointed out to where Drungelle was, and it was the sign they were told to look for in Yartar. They travelled down the path and soon found themselves heading towards their destination. Small hills dotted outside with one cattle ranch outside of town. Behind it a few miles is the High Forest.

As they entered the town, they got a feeling of comfort and hospitality. It is much smaller than Yartar and the small community made it feel more personal. They walked on the one main cobblestone street, which was flanked by houses all the way down. They could see the other end a well, and two streets veering left and right in the town. It they could get a birds eye view, it would look like one big T. the street that headed left ended in a Large church, and the other a well looking Mansion. Soon infront of them a lady appeared.

She was clothed in black, cotton dress with leather shoes and a dark veil. She approached them slowly with an old man arm in arm with her. He was well in age, showing clear through his wrinkled skin on his face. He wore a pale yellow robe with a symbol upon the front of it. This was a blooming rose on a sunburst wreathe of golden grain. He held a staff made of gnarled wood in his right hand, and the lady in his left. They finally came to the adventurers, who had entered past a small village of hovels that resided directly outside the town.

The woman spoke through her downed veil.

" We welcome you to Drungelle, a small and cozy town that makes you feel right at home, no matter who you are."

She looked at the faces of each adventurer, looking from Raolonlo, Karlana, Mourn, Brendella, Aramil, and then even Maximillion. She looked at each one with a deeply saddened face, but tried to hide it. She looked at herself, and almost looked like she snapped out of a trance.

" Oh my, I bet your wondering why I am dressed like this. Well, its a sad story that I must tell you. But first I need to say that we need your help. Four of our beloved people have vanished. There names are Tren, Wenta, Jorsh, and my nehew...Ristim. They all have vanished. We have searched and searched but do not know where they are. I think it's just bandits wanting a ransom, and I expect to get one soon, but the parents of these young people wanted action now. I didn't know what to do, I am just glad your here!"

She takes a step back, and looks to the ground.

" Oh, I am sorry. You people have just come here and now I am throwing all of this at you. I probably just detered you away from here. I'm sorry let me properly introduce myself. My name is Venithia. And this is Dunalel."

They both smile and nod, greeting the party. Dunalel raises his wrinkled hand from her arm and speaks slowly.

" I would just like to thank you for coming to our town and as I have already been introduced I would like to add I am one of the priests of Chauntea that live here. I know Venithia has said everything that is needed to know to you all, and before you turn and go away from this sudden attack of information I would just like to say that there is a reward we have pooled together. It was going to be the possible ransom, but they dont need it."

He smiles and blinks slowly, as if age is slowly creeping up on him, ready to take him at any moment.

Go to Drungelle, your first challenge will be there. Stop at Yartar on the way, they will tell you where to go...



That was four weeks ago, and now they finally made it. Drungelle. A half a mile outside of town, and they almost missed it. A path meandered off of the beaten road, and a felled sign was quickly spotted. It pointed out to where Drungelle was, and it was the sign they were told to look for in Yartar. They travelled down the path and soon found themselves heading towards their destination. Small hills dotted outside with one cattle ranch outside of town. Behind it a few miles is the High Forest.

As they entered the town, they got a feeling of comfort and hospitality. It is much smaller than Yartar and the small community made it feel more personal. They walked on the one main cobblestone street, which was flanked by houses all the way down. They could see the other end a well, and two streets veering left and right in the town. It they could get a birds eye view, it would look like one big T. the street that headed left ended in a Large church, and the other a well looking Mansion. Soon in front of them a lady appeared.

The lady who appeared in front of them would be looking upon, a half-elf named Rao, a wood elf named Karlana, her animal companion (wolf), a sun elf named Mourn, his cohort, also an elf, and Brendalla, a halfling, with her companion Maximillion. The wolf seemed to be gentle with people, and though full blooded timber wolf, people often mistook him for a mutt of a common dog.

Karlana was dressed in her black leather breeches, black cotton low cut snug fitting shirt. A black hooded cloak and leather boots. Her attire was completely waterproof. Silvery white locks cascading down to her lower back, seemed to spring to life with each graceful stride. Cornflower blue eyes eagerly drinking the sights of the new city.

Drungelle was a beautiful sight to see, but their exploration was cut short by an older woman. She was clothed in black, cotton dress with leather shoes and a dark veil. She approached them slowly with an old man arm in arm with her. He was well in age, showing clear through his wrinkled skin on his face. He wore a pale yellow robe with a symbol upon the front of it. This was a blooming rose on a sunburst wreathe of golden grain. He held a staff made of gnarled wood in his right hand, and the lady in his left. They finally came to the adventurers, who had entered past a small village of hovels that resided directly outside the town.

The woman spoke through her downed veil.

"We welcome you to Drungelle, a small and cozy town that makes you feel right at home, no matter who you are."

Karlana had decided by such a statement,that the woman was closed-minded. That she simply assumed everyone was the same and that they would all feel at home in a small town. Rumours had found her, warning her of people who assumed everyone was the same. The elf noticed the woman look at each person in turn, her features revealing nothing of her thoughts about the strange eldery couple. The lady bore a hint of sadness in the means she dressed, and in her features. The ranger was quick to take note of such things.

"Oh my, I bet your wondering why I am dressed like this. Well, it's a sad story that I must tell you. But first I need to say that we need your help. Four of our beloved people have vanished. There names are Tren, Wenta, Jorsh, and my nephew...Ristim. They all have vanished. We have searched and searched but do not know where they are. I think it's just bandits wanting a ransom, and I expect to get one soon, but the parents of these young people wanted action now. I didn't know what to do, I am just glad you're here!"

She takes a step back, and looks to the ground.

" Oh, I am sorry. You people have just come here and now I am throwing all of this at you. I probably just detered you away from here. I'm sorry let me properly introduce myself. My name is Venithia. And this is Dunalel."

The ranger took the initiative to introduce them to the elderly couple. She started to her left gesturing to each in turn "Raolonlo Greyclaw, Mourn Eveningfall, Brendalla Kinogallan, Aramil, Maximillion and I am Karlana Beawulf. We are honoured to meet you Venithia and Dunalel." she gave a nod in introduction.

They both smile and nod, greeting the party. Dunalel raises his wrinkled hand from her arm and speaks slowly.

" I would just like to thank you for coming to our town and as I have already been introduced I would like to add I am one of the priests of Chauntea that live here. I know Venithia has said everything that is needed to know to you all, and before you turn and go away from this sudden attack of information I would just like to say that there is a reward we have pooled together. It was going to be the possible ransom, but they don't need it."

He smiles and blinks slowly, as if age is slowly creeping up on him, ready to take him at any moment.

The young ranger smiled kindly to the elders, and she nodded when he said he was a priest she gave a half bow. The ranger knew that priests could often help in sticky situations, but they would have to sit for supper before they would decide how to act in regards to this sudden attack of information upon arrival in a strange new city.

Softly she spoke anew "Venithia, Dunalel, allow us time to discuss it as a group. We shall dine in, and discuss the matters at hand, after supper we will get back to you kind folk, with our decision. Whether we agree to embark on this wild goose chase, or if we choose to continue on our way." not once had she made reference to the reward. Turning to her companions she spoke softly "friends, let us go find some supper" she fell silent quickly.

She was clothed in black, cotton dress with leather shoes and a dark veil. She approached them slowly with an old man arm in arm with her. He was well in age, showing clear through his wrinkled skin on his face. He wore a pale yellow robe with a symbol upon the front of it. This was a blooming rose on a sunburst wreathe of golden grain. He held a staff made of gnarled wood in his right hand, and the lady in his left. They finally came to the adventurers, who had entered past a small village of hovels that resided directly outside the town.

Rao, outfitted in leather armor and fur boots stood before the couple. His silver falchion sheathed at his side. Over his shoulders, a backpack with an ashen colored bow attached to it. Looking opon the two with a plain stare, Rao thought the woman to be in mourning.

"We welcome you to Drungelle, a small and cozy town that makes you feel right at home, no matter who you are."

Rao slightly nodded his head in acceptance to her salutations. In settlements of greater population he may have met the woman with a frown. The larger cities made him unconfortible.

They both smile and nod, greeting the party. Dunalel raises his wrinkled hand from her arm and speaks slowly.

" I would just like to thank you for coming to our town and as I have already been introduced I would like to add I am one of the priests of Chauntea that live here. I know Venithia has said everything that is needed to know to you all, and before you turn and go away from this sudden attack of information I would just like to say that there is a reward we have pooled together. It was going to be the possible ransom, but they don't need it."

He smiles and blinks slowly, as if age is slowly creeping up on him, ready to take him at any moment.

The young ranger smiled kindly to the elders, and she nodded when he said he was a priest she gave a half bow. The ranger knew that priests could often help in sticky situations, but they would have to sit for supper before they would decide how to act in regards to this sudden attack of information upon arrival in a strange new city.

Softly she spoke anew "Venithia, Dunalel, allow us time to discuss it as a group. We shall dine in, and discuss the matters at hand, after supper we will get back to you kind folk, with our decision. Whether we agree to embark on this wild goose chase, or if we choose to continue on our way." not once had she made reference to the reward. Turning to her companions she spoke softly "friends, let us go find some supper" she fell silent quickly.

"Yes, i would rather not discuss these matters with an emtpy stomach" Rao said to karlana pulling on the staps of his backpack.

The road to Drungelle had been pleasant enough. With few complications along the way and four weeks of travel under their belt, the journey had finally taken the companions to their clairvoyant destination. As the small community came into view Mourn was reminded of home, back in the treetops of Evermeet. Surely this place lacked the luster or grandeur of his city nestled in the boughs of the great forest, but the feeling of simplicity and hospitality held a nostalgic feel for the sun elf; it had been some time since he had ventured back to the safety of his native haven. He and Aramil had traveled the roads a long time his clerical companions his only constant anchor to the word they had left behind in the pursuit of answers and adventure.

As the quaint homesteads passed the companions on the left and right Mourn lowers the hood of his robes, letting the fresh crisp air dance across his fair skin. For a sun elf, he is particularly beautiful even for his race, and to add to his allure, he is rather toned and has the physique of someone who has traversed the Realms and gotten into a fair share of scraps, rather than simply sit behind stuff old tomes and scrolls all his life.

Aramil too, is honed for combat, the cleric of Mystra having dedicated her life to the teachings of the Goddess of magic, and to understanding the hidden properties of the mystical force known as the weave.

The cleric walks aside Mourn, her shield and Morningstar clattering softly against her metal adorned body as she walks, links of chain and plates of steel dinging faintly with each heavy footfall. As the party moves through the village, they are approached by an interesting pair.

" We welcome you to Drungelle, a small and cozy town that makes you feel right at home, no matter who you are."

She looked at the faces of each adventurer, looking from Raolonlo, Karlana, Mourn, Brendella, Aramil, and then even Maximillion. She looked at each one with a deeply saddened face, but tried to hide it. She looked at herself, and almost looked like she snapped out of a trance.

" Oh my, I bet your wondering why I am dressed like this. Well, its a sad story that I must tell you. But first I need to say that we need your help. Four of our beloved people have vanished. There names are Tren, Wenta, Jorsh, and my nehew...Ristim. They all have vanished. We have searched and searched but do not know where they are. I think it's just bandits wanting a ransom, and I expect to get one soon, but the parents of these young people wanted action now. I didn't know what to do, I am just glad your here!"

She takes a step back, and looks to the ground.

" Oh, I am sorry. You people have just come here and now I am throwing all of this at you. I probably just detered you away from here. I'm sorry let me properly introduce myself. My name is Venithia. And this is Dunalel."

They both smile and nod, greeting the party. Dunalel raises his wrinkled hand from her arm and speaks slowly.

" I would just like to thank you for coming to our town and as I have already been introduced I would like to add I am one of the priests of Chauntea that live here. I know Venithia has said everything that is needed to know to you all, and before you turn and go away from this sudden attack of information I would just like to say that there is a reward we have pooled together. It was going to be the possible ransom, but they dont need it."

He smiles and blinks slowly, as if age is slowly creeping up on him, ready to take him at any moment.

Mourn stood in calm silence, typical of him as his companions knew he was a man of few words unless relevant and pertinent to the situation at hand. Aramil however was much more openly opinionated in her beliefs.

“Bandits and brigands, the lot of them should be drawn and quartered. Their can be no place in Mystra’s… or Chauntea’s eden for lawless vagabonds and ruffians.” Aramil turns to her companions. “The visions we had have led us here, though we seek a reason as to why. Perhaps it is to save these four innocents. Perhaps these four are destined for future greatness themselves, if we but grant them the opportunity to live to see that future!” It was obvious the cleric was getting excited over the prospect of playing hero once again, but Mourn interjected with his analytical—if not often blunt—point of view.

“There has been no sign of struggle or ransom, these missing could be off playing heroes and goblins in the nearby vale, or even holding themselves ransom, awaiting their poor parents to send them money before walking home unscathed and claiming the victims role. We need more information before anything can be ascertained… When they went missing, where their homes and local hang-outs are… Karlana should be able to track anything that’s traceable, providing the weather hasn’t cleared away the path. But we can’t go anywhere until we have an Idea of who we’re looking for. I think Karlana has the right idea. Let us dine, and discuss the details relevant to the situation, then if deemed of dire consequence, our band can take up the chase. What say you all?”

Mourn let’s his question hang in the air, he respected the thoughts of those he chose to travel with, they would each add insight to this slowly unraveling string of mystery.

Brendalla rode upon Maximillion for the majority of the jouney, but she was hardly even a burden to the odd eyed husky. Her air of lackluster discipline probably assisted in his temperament, as the halfling druid often let Max wander off into the woods on the whim of his keen nose, chasing after squirrels, or simply marking his territory, which by now had to be more lands than any animal has traversed. Indeed there were times when the strange duo did not catch up with the others until far past sunfall.

When they were finally in approach of the town of Dungrelle, Brendalla began paying attention to the surroundings. She distrusted any urban environment, far more than the wilderness. In the sculpture of human communities, the danger implanted within was often hidden. She never feared the trees in the distance, the natural world made a decree of her dangers, and they weren't at all worrisome if you knew her laws. With the approach of the two town speakers, she listened to what she saw, and not what they said. The dramatic look of the griever was misleading... and she wondered if the woman before her wore such attire to infect others in the town with the belief that she was in mourning. The priest was old and conservative, but she reeled at the mention of monetary gain. What they were searching for were mercenaries to root out the problems of their organized society... and they would prefer to ransom the assistance of these strangers for bloodshed, rather than bandits for freedom. It was treachery to Brendalla, either way.

She was not opposed to fighting, and was in fact well trained in the matter. Her combative skills had been well honed in her youth, and with her trustworthy friend acting as her mount, her lance struck deep into the heart of her foe. Brendalla gently rubbed her fingers over the rhinoceros skin that she used as armour, feeling connected to this natural cavalier of nature. Like the rhino, she woukd gore the flesh of her prey asunder... though she must always remember that the animal did kill for reasons beyond the defense of himself, and his family.

After listening to the debate of the others, the overzealous ascertainings of the cleric of Mystra, and the somewhat cynical retort from her sagely companion, Brendalla contemplated the decision at hand. With green eyes like pools of rich ocean, she scanned the horizon. ''Bandits or not,'' she said, in her little voice, that felt wise and sounded childish, ''we should not leave children to the mercy of nature. No animal of the forest leaves their pups unattended. Such is especially true at night, when the predators come out to prey.''

And so the group was brought up with the question, quite bluntly, if they would help the village or not. They all mused and pondered onto what they should do, as the two elderly people waited for a response. It was Karlana who spoke first.

"Venithia, Dunalel, allow us time to discuss it as a group. We shall dine in, and discuss the matters at hand, after supper we will get back to you kind folk, with our decision. Whether we agree to embark on this wild goose chase, or if we choose to continue on our way."

"Yes, i would rather not discuss these matters with an emtpy stomach"
Raolno spoke up , agrering that eating was a good idea. They had just stepped in after all.

“Bandits and brigands, the lot of them should be drawn and quartered. Their can be no place in Mystra’s… or Chauntea’s eden for lawless vagabonds and ruffians. The visions we had have led us here, though we seek a reason as to why. Perhaps it is to save these four innocents. Perhaps these four are destined for future greatness themselves, if we but grant them the opportunity to live to see that future!”

Aramil, being quite outspoken at times, spoke out, but Mourn interjected.

“There has been no sign of struggle or ransom, these missing could be off playing heroes and goblins in the nearby vale, or even holding themselves ransom, awaiting their poor parents to send them money before walking home unscathed and claiming the victims role. We need more information before anything can be ascertained… When they went missing, where their homes and local hang-outs are… Karlana should be able to track anything that’s traceable, providing the weather hasn’t cleared away the path. But we can’t go anywhere until we have an Idea of who we’re looking for. I think Karlana has the right idea. Let us dine, and discuss the details relevant to the situation, then if deemed of dire consequence, our band can take up the chase. What say you all?”


Brendella, the last to speak, threw her two cense in.

"Bandits or not, we should not leave children to the mercy of nature. No animal of the forest leaves their pups unattended. Such is especially true at night, when the predators come out to prey."

So it was the concensus of the group to eat dinner first, then decide on what to do. Venethia and Dunalel both smiled at the prospect of them staying and talking it over, seeing it as a chance that they will accept.

Venethis spoke up. " Oh, of course! Dinner. I'll have our wonderful tavern owner here whip up a dinner for us quite soon. I'll go and talk to Buran and prepare a wonderful meal of beef roast and fresh loaves of bread."

She looked over to the old priest, and spoke up.

" Will you keep our new guests company while I go to prepare? walk with them to the tavern, and explain to them what had happened in more detail."

She turned around, and bustled off down the long street. Dunalel smiled to the group as the sun started to set behind them, and turned around to face down the street, a long shadow beginning to form.

" Please, walk with me while I explain how we think that they did not set themselves up."

He started to walk, with everyone falling in behind him, getting within range to hear his old frail voice.

" See, these kids of ours, well teens around the ages of 17 to 19 years old. They all dissappeared on different days and different occasions. But it was within the past four days. Tren lives on the southern edge of town in front of us, on a farm between the forest and the town. He was splitting wood with his father, when he stepped back to the house to get an axe, leaving Tren alone. Next moment when he comes out, he was gone. Next was Wenta, the daughter of my friend Jeskei the brewer. She was collecting hops and was never seen again. Jorsh lives on the cattle farm you passed on the way in. A calf got loose and was running around the hills outside of town. He ducked behind one to get the calf, and was gone. Then Ristim dissappeared. He is the nephew of lady Venethia. That is why she dresses in those colours. His parents died many years ago to a disease that killed many. She took care of him, and now he is gone. He was delivering mail to one of the farms, and disappered."

He stops to take a breathe, obviously winded from talking to much.

" We all think it is bandits that have set up camp in the woods. We have a good idea of where they might be, and we were going to wait for a ransom. We did not want violence. But some of the parents pushed for this. They could not wait. So we call upon your help."

Before they knew it, they group was at the end of the cobblestone street and was rounding the corner to the right, and a large mansion, well large compared to the surrounding houses was standing about ten blocks down the street. One building in particular on the left side of the street had thick white smoke pumping from its chimineys, about twice as much as the surrounding clay buildings. The thatched roofs looked like they would catch fire if any more smoke plumed out of the tavern, for fierce flames surely burned below. This was there current destination, and as they approached, everyeones eyes grew big as the sweet smell of cooking meat and baking bread floated through the air. A sign hung above the door, just planely labeled "Tavern".

When they entered the building, a stair case leading to the second floor was immediatly to their left, and thirty feet of floor space with tables lay to their right, extending abour fifty feet down, with a bar counter extending from the right wall into the room about a 1/3 way in. A large fire place lay to the upper left hand corner of the room, and from this fire were the sweet smell originating from. A man with an apron tied around his waist was busily sliding something out of the fire. His large gut and thick mustache made him look like the classic barkeep. Venethia was standing behind him, talking quietly.

" Please, enjoy your meal. We will be back within the hour to see how you are doing."

Dunalel turned and left the tavern, disappearing behind the closing doors.

In the middle of the room there was a large table, which was actually two square tables pushed together. Already on the table were five sets of plates and eating utensils, along with five mugs. The five chairs that were there were quickly filled taken by the group, grumbly stomachs rushing them to the seat. A plate on the floor with a ham bone on it sat, obviously for Max to feast and naw on.

Venethia came over as they sat, and stood talking.

" Please, enjoy this meal. It is all on us for the night, as so is lodging. The second floor holds six rooms, more than enough for all of you. I hope you all think hard on your decision, and just to have it out there, we have collected 50 gold pieces, 75 silver pieces,and this gem for you."

She held out a deep purple gem, a little larger than a gold coin.

As she finished talking, someone walked into the tavern. A tall woman with red hair and pale skin stood as the door closed behind her. On her face was a deep four inch scar running from her neck to her cheek. She walked over to the bar counter and it was obvious she had a slight limp, even through the heavy earth coloured clothes she wore. She took a seat at the bar, and immediatly the bartender came over and started conversation. He gave her a glass of some liquid, then came over with two plates of food for the group. One held a very large beef roast, held together with string. The other was a split of three large loafs and a dozen ears of corn. He set them on the table and cut the stings to the roast, which then promplty fell apart into countless slices of juicy tender meat. He left but quickly came back with two large pitchers of ale, and set one down on each end.

" Freshly brewed this afternoon, compliments of Jeskei."

He turned and continued his work behind the bar. When the table was set, Venethia left the tavern as well, quickly letting in the fading sunlight and then shutting it off from the tavern again. The group began to eat, enjoying there first hot meal in a long time.

Brendalla eyed the food with suspicion. In fact, all of this hospitality seemed quite out of place. It was one thing for a town to be friendly, and welcome travelers... but this was over the top. Even if they were trying to buy the group's loyalty, money generally sufficed. It was definitely an odd approach to country living. Brendalla was a vegetarian, so she reached out for the corn... but found she could really reach it. The problem with human villages, were they could not well accomadate the needs of the hin. Children rarely visited taverns, and so they didn't have seats appropriate for them either, or at least they kept them in storage.

With a sigh she swallowed her pride and jumped up onto the table, trying to make it seem as though this were but a common way of grabbing food from the dinner table. She retrieved the ham bone from the centrepiece, and two ears of corn. When she returned to ground level, she placed the ham bone on the ground, but stopped Maximillion from digging in with the raise of her palm. He sat obediently with his tongue flopping out of his mouth, the saliva dripping to the floor in anticipation. She placed an ear of corn in front of his noise and bid him smell. She wanted to be sure that the food was natural before consuming it. (At this point in time, Brendalla will decide whether or not to eat the corn based on the dog's reaction to it. He will growl if the food is amiss, and bark if it is good to eat. If it is found to be untrustworthy by his sense of smell, she will alert the party. If it is alright, then add in this next part.)

The dog having approved of her meal to be, she shrugs and climbs up into her chair, her eyes barely scouring over the edge of the table. Emerald orbs swing back and forth like a pendulum as she watches the others begin to eat and exchange conversation. The blue and brown eyed husky greedily begins to devour his "meal" making quite a racket underfoot. The barmaid will be displeased later in the evening to be sure, having to clean up all the drool.

"So," says Brendalla, after finishing off her first ear of corn, "are we going to go after the children then? I for one am still firm in my belief that they should not be left to their own devices, or the whim of others with much less regard."

The elf watched her companion make a scene in front of these strange people. Her eyes narrowed, and she eyed the pair that had asked them to embark upon this mission. Tilting her head she thought for a moment. Turning to her companion she spoke "I have questions I need answered before I make my decision." With those words directed to her group, she turned back towards the townspeople.

Her voice soft as she spoke "You said that you searched for them, and what makes you think we'll be able to find them if you folk, who know the kids, and know possible hiding spots, can't find them, that us strangers can find them?" she asked curiously. In the past she had fallen into many traps, she spoke again "What makes you think we aren't the people who kidnapped your youth and are coming back to check how distraught you have become over the loss of your lost children?" her questions were sincere. Why would they trust people who had just strolled into town after their children had disappeared? If it were her, she would not allow anybody else to stroll into town, for fear that more people would go missing.

Karlana seemed more interested in the conversation than she was the food. The food sat getting cold while they discussed their plans. She hadn't expected the folk to follow them, but was glad when they had. The elf was quick, she knew she could be the first to draw a weapon were that the case. Thoughts and questions raced through her mind a mile a minute as she waited for her other questions to be answered.

It had truly been some time since the pair of Mourn Eveningfall and Aramil Starsong had enjoyed a decent meal. The hard tack and dried rations they had primarily been living of off while traveling were nutritious enough to sustain them, but lacked any form of oh what was the word... oh yes; taste.

Now that they were here, in the quaint and aptly named ‘Tavern, the food placed before the companions seemed heavenly. Though it was simple fare, to the dried neglected palettes of the hungry travelers, it was a meal fit for a king.

As Aramil and Mourn sampled the fare, Aramil couldn’t help but smirk as Brendalla jumped up to claim her supper; their diminutive friend was always entertaining to the elves.

As the druid asked about their plans regarding the missing children, Mourn nodded quietly as he took a bite of his corn, plucking it from the cob with cutlery. Aramil looked at Mourn and giggled. “So prim and proper, it’s corn not some scroll you need to tenderly examine. Dig in!”

Mourn shook his head and placed his tools of eating down aside his plate. “A-hem, As for the children, yes, we should look into the matter at least, we are here after all. Hopefully someone here will be kind enough to give us more details as to where the kids might be.” With that Mourn set back to eating in his explorative fashion, slowly picking the kernels away from the cob, and enjoying each bite in silent admiration.

Adding to Karlana's questions posed to the townspeople Rao said " You should think about what Karlana's has said. Theres no way we cannot think this situation to be quite odd, almost ill". Side stepping slightly to whisper in Karlana ear he spoke " There behavior could be due to a culture we don't understand nonetheless im bothered by there hospitality"

Rao was so enticed by the dinner set before him he practically forgot to breath. His sight tunneled to tasty looking meat, he payed no attention to the woman at the bar. Immedeately he snatched up his fork and speared the roast. mouth full and reaching for the ale he spoke in response to Brendalla's question "yes, the right thing to do is obvious. Children's lives are at stake though the couple we met earlier cause me to think otherwise. Reward too! I say we find these kids". Washing his the roast down with the ale rao slouched back in his chair with his chin resting in his hand awaiting the others to add there opinions.

Karlana smiled to her companions as they sat discussing matters of all sorts. Their main focus was the task at hand, or that would possibly be at hand. Tilting her head she spoke "Nobody else thinks it suspicious that these folk EXPECT us to find their young blood? I think it mighty strange that they act the way they do, but maybe that's just me."

A sigh released she sipped at the goblet that had been placed before her. Having not been of royal blood, the woman waited patiently for the men of her group to finish eating, before she began to nibble at her plate. Karlana's parents had raised her to maintain the olden lifestyle. A fashion of life where the women took care of their men's needs before their own. Yet in her own approach, not everything she did was by her parents rule.

In this moment Rao had spoken, and then leaned in close to whisper to her. She could feel the warmth of his breath upon her ear, and she had to fight back the urge to shiver. Whenever people whispered in her ear, a chill climbed up her spine which mainly resulted in a quick shiver. Again he spoke to everyone, and her heart slowed to its normal pace. Shaking her head she spoke "Reward, is that what everyone wants? I would like to know WHY kids disappeared, and by the sounds of it, left no trace. I think we should investigate that they even existed before we set out to find them. It could simply be a trap to lure us into a deserted oasis and kill us or claim a ransom." she shrugged away the rest of her words.

Karlana turned towards Mourn and Aramil as they spoke to each other. She eyed the female suspiciously, yet in a manner that wouldn't be revealed to anyone else even if they glanced her way. The woman smiled warmly to herself as she listened to their conversation, and shrugged away her words as the rest of her posse seemed to eager to help, yet didn't question anything about their mission. Shaking her head slightly she sighed and when the men had finished eating, she began to nibble at the corn on the cob, having placed a napkin over her lap in case she made a mess.

As the party spoke and ate, comtemplating taking up the offer or not, the woman at the bar turned around in her chair and watched them. She sat for a few minutes, sipping and then decided speak.

Addressing no one in particular in the group, she spoke up.

" If you want to know more about it, you could ask me. I don't know why they're gone, only that they are. When me and a few other searched where they were last seen, tracks lead north, north-west of here."

She took another swig and set it on the table, wiping her mouth withe her sleeve.

" There are some old ruins up there, and if it's any place, thats where they are. Look, we're just a bunch of farmers and wood cutters, brewers and cookers. Not fighters, heros, or anything of that sort. If we went up taht far north to the ruins, we would probably be kidnapped ourselves, and be in an even worse problem."

She looks down on the floor, a small frown on her face growing ever more evident.

" I would do more for this town, but I'm to damaged to fight again. If you need more of an insentive, I can give you my old weapon of choice. It helped me in more situations than I could ever imagine, but I have no use now. You all could have it, just to seal the deal."

Rao corrected his posture and focused his eyes upon the women "What more can you tell us of these ruins, perhaps the history of this land or maybe some of the local lore? The mention of "ruins" sparked excitement within Rao. Being on the road for sometime now, hes been itching to brandish his blade, cross steel. Gesturing to the barkeep to fetch more ale, Rao was open eared hopefully awaiting a fine story of the lands history for the knowledge of the land is irreplaceable while doing battle.

Karlana listened carefully to the sounds of her surroundings. Her nasal passage had picked up the scent of stale whiskey and beer, as well as the horrendous smell of nicotine that lingered in the air. Ignoring such things she listened as the bar keep had answered her questions. Though hiding her emotions she listened yet in her mind she cursed this woman for having been eavesdropping. A sigh released she spoke up anew "You say you are not fighters or heroes...who is to say we are? Define a hero." she fell silent and shrugged away the rest of her words, but just decided she would agree just to get out of this town that simply made her angry.

Gracefully she rose from her chair and crossed to the door opening it slowly. The door squeaked its protest for having been woken at such a late hour. Karlana moved elegantly out of the tavern, closing the squeaky door behind her and slowly making her way out of town towards the edge. Finding a rock she sat upon it and looked up at the darkening sky.

Mourn sat and listened quietly as the lady spoke. THe other's asked the questions he had been thinking of, so he sat, fingers intertwined before him and awaited the answers.

Aramil meanwhile happily chomped down on the food placed before her, having her fill and not worrying about showing it as it stuck to her cheeks or escaped in a gasp of breath or subtley deafened burp.