SoA Session 21- The Unfriendly Village

General Summary

Swordsday 15th Firemoot 619PR With Aleandre saved from Abaddon, the heroes rested in Draughmere Village planning their next adventure. Brice the Twain wished to return to check on the orphans at Dunford; however, he was also keen to search for Thranduil Fellwalker. Azo was interested in heading to Whitebridge to try to discover more about the box in her possession. After some discussion, they decided to strike while the iron was hot and head to Freetown in search on Thranduil. The party took the remainder of the day preparing for the week-long journey to Freetown. Brice picked up some more Finch Fire Arrows from the gnome inventor, Hermes Alabaster Finch. They left Draughemere on the morning of the 16th Firemoot. The journey along the King's Highway was uneventful, although became slow going after leaving Draughmere. This section of the King's Highway no longer seemed to be in repair. The stoned pathway, eventually becoming a rough, rutted path. Most travellers used the river for transport. Moonday 17th Firemoot 619PR On the second evening on the road, our heroes met Calton Gale. Calton and his entire family were relocating from Briarglen. Their wagon seemed to struggle under the weight of their belongings, the squeak of its wheels announcing the family's presence. The family seemed agitated and frightened, especially by the motley crew who advanced towards them. After some time Aleandre managed to convince the farmer that they meant no harm. Calton revealed that he was a native of Briar Glen; however, in the last month, things had started to change. The friendly nature of the village has now disappeared, replaced with an air of suspicion. Several families had already left, and those that remained while once friends now acted like strangers. Calton had decided to relocate his entire family to Draughmere. Mordi suggested that Calton should speak to Nox, who might be able to help them get work. The rest of the night passed uneventfully; Azo was able to complete some repairs on Gale's wagon. Towersday 18th Firemoot 619PR

By the early evening, the party had arrived at Briarglen. With the remote village visible in the distance and Calton's warning ringing in their ears, the heroes decided to avoid the hamlet; instead camping on the slopes above the village. During the evening, they set a watch; assuming that they were in dangerous territory. Wineday 19th Firemoot 619PR Their vantage point allowed them an overwatch of the village. During Brice's early morning shift, he noticed a commotion in Briarglen. It looked as though a group had abducted a couple from heir house, and took them towards a large central building. Brice woke the rest of the party and stealthily made his way down to the village where he discovered that the abductors had entered an inn named the Golden Grain. Climbing onto the second floor, Brice managed to get access to the building. Listening to many of the doors, he noticed the soft snoring coming from two of them. He carefully made his way downstairs and into the cellar. At approximately the same time, the rest of the group arrived at the inn. They decided that the basement would be the likely place for prisoners to be held. Carefully picking the lock, Mordi was struck by how new the lock was compared to the door. Reuniting in the cellar, the party discovered the two prisoners, a pair of elves, bound in the basement. After being freed, they introduced themselves as Dorian Qwelli and Lilwelyn Qwelli. They explained that they knew the Elderman of the Village, Aiden Ainsworth, having once adventured with him. Ainsworth had asked the elves to the village, showing the party a letter that Ainsworth had sent;

Dorian and Lilly

Much has happened in my life since we fought side by side. I hope, sometime, to have a chance to talk to you about the many pleasant things.

My purpose now, sadly, is to ask - nay beg- my courageous comrades to aid my people in a time of dire need. I cannot even describe to you the danger that threatens Briarglen. For I know not its true nature, I do know that unless it can somehow be stopped, this evil will consume my little village, and it's families- we will vanish without a trace into the dust of history.

A sinister force is at work here, and it is made all the more frightening by the fact that its true nature is concealed in a web of fear and suspicion. I plead with you, come to Briarglen, lend your skills to revealing this menace that I may finally be destroyed!

Your Comrade

Aiden Ainsworth.

The elves explained that they had been in the village for about a week. When they arrived, they sought an audience with their old friend. However, he had disappeared. The local constable had promised to look into the matter but hadn't seemed to be able to find any information. With the dawn being close, the party decided that the inn's residents must be involved with the abduction. They decided to kidnap the two individuals Brice had heard snoring. They were successful in this; knocking their prisoners unconscious and transporting them to the house that the elves were staying in.