Wayward Oneshot

Introduction

The walled city of Phan Tal is quite a sight to behold, the border city on the edge of the Kaliyaka desert, the first point of civilisation for the kingdom of Saileud. As each of you entered the city on your own, you passed through one of the massive gates in the towering sandstone walls. And many of you who did turn back to look as you made it into the city itself, saw that the interior walls were painted and decorated with bright colours. You pass giant pots of ferns and plants, huge painted statues of the three Mother Goddesses of the Saileud, and behind them on the walls themselves are murals depicting scenes of festivals and presumably famous figures.
You each had come to this city to find work, and you had heard of the adventurer’s guild in this city which would gladly accept you. So now you find yourselves in The Alluvium, the main headquarters for the Sandscouts of Phan Tal.
You’re all in one of the waiting rooms, not the most lush of spaces but still well decorated and colourful. You see the red and cream banners of the sandscouts on the walls and some colourful throw pillows on the wooden benches in the room. They’ve also given you some tea to drink.
[Party can introduce themselves here]

Soon enough a Sandscout comes in, a very gruff looking half-elven woman with a bow slung over her shoulder. She is carrying some papers too.
Sandscout Allyson Half elven woman Red-brown hair and brown eyes, she has some freckles and tanned skin and she wears leather armour and a dark green cloak. There’s a resort town called Sahi about 2 days' travel from Phan Tal, and the Uneleg (mayor) has requested for some assistance to clear a house of some… probably evil spirits.

• 400gp reward

You can then make your way out of Phan Tal and off to Sahi.
2 survival checks from any 2 party members for the journey DC14 DM's discretion for what happens

Sahi

Sahi is a small town, about 2 days travel from Phan Tal. It’s a largely older town, mostly halfling, and you can see a lot of the houses here are quite fancy. You see the streets are clean and beautifully decorated, and the same statues you saw with the gateways are placed at entrances to crossroads.
The people here seem to dress on the more middle class to wealthy end. And they give you strange looks when you pass by, probably unaccustomed to your type of traveller.

The Uneleg’s Villa

Located in the town square, it’s a two storey building of red clay, decorated with carved tiles and painted statues. Above the door to the villa, which is held open with some bricks, you see three carvings, though from this angle it’s a bit hard to make out details.. All three are female, one painted white, with extra long fingers, another painted green with root-like hair, and the last painted blue. There’s a front desk with a halfling man sitting at it, he seems to be doing some sort of paperwork. He’s got greying hair and a long thin beard, and some glasses perched on his nose. The Uneleg here is another halfling man, short, even for a halfling, and he’s got curly brown hair and happy brown eyes, and a small goatee. His name is Uneleg Yarver.
Uneleg Yarver: “This town is a resort sort of town, the hills around here are good for long walks and we’ve got plenty of food growing in these farms.” “We’ve been trying to sell off Jiang Manor or revamp it into a lodge or a tavern. But people say the place is haunted by the ghost of the woman who once lived there.” “Our local clerics have requested a special object be sent up from Ayutta (the capital city) to purify the house, but none have dared to even step onto the property.” . “You can stay at the Grey Lamb’s Cradle, we’ll be happy to fund your stay for a few days here”
The clerics are at the Hearth of the Mothers A large two storey building, with smoke constantly billowing out the roof. It’s painted green, blue and white and has the 3 statues set above the door. Inside is a warm interior, panelled with light coloured wood and there are carpets everywhere. You have to take your shoes off before entering. In the centre of the main chamber is a hearth, surrounded by 3 statues, all carved as if they were sitting and enjoying the warmth. There are 3 head priests, all women. One of them comes by to greet you. She wears a white and grey dress and she has finger jewellery that extends her fingers. She’s a dwarven woman, with her grey hair all tied and braided in a very elaborate style, and two jade rings braided into the back. She’s got wispy sideburns and a bit of a beard.
Sky Mother’s Calling: A gold amulet shaped like a pair of cupped hands, it’s quite large, and there are 3 strings of white beads dangling from the bottom at the fingers. It absorbs any spirits and transfers them to the realm of the stars, where they belong.
The Grey Lamb’s Cradle: A three storey building, made mostly of stone and clay, with some hanging pots of plants around the perimeter. It’s a very cosy looking building, and the roof is made of red tile. The owner is an older human woman, with dark skin and golden-brown eyes, her hair is still black but with streaks of grey.
Her name is Vimala Yadav, and she’s been running this inn since the previous owner passed.
There’s 3 rooms available here, 5sp a night. Food: tropical fruit salad, beef stew and rice, omelette rolls with a spicy sauce. There’s tea too, a bright pink tea that’s a bit bitter, sour and salty all at the same time.
Vimala used to work at Jiang Manor, and still has Vimala's Diary from her time there.
Shops: Garrick’s Smithy - human man The Merdon Potionary - gnome man The Inkwell - a bookshop & reading room owned by a dwarven woman named Yssabel

Jiang Manor

Jiang Manor is a huge 3 storey house with sloping black tile roofs and red pillars. Though the red paint is chipping and faded. This house must’ve been quite spectacular when it was still in use. There’s a low stone wall around the perimeter, and at even intervals are small stone lanterns.
The garden is overgrown with weeds, though the paved path for a carriage is still visible. And there are vines growing up the sides of the building.
Round the back of the house there is a small stable, probably enough for 2 horses, and another sheltered portion for a carriage.
There’s a constant feeling of being watched.
There’s a handful of Gnolls (6 of them) who seem to be wandering around the garden area, they seem to be scavenging for food.

Room	Description
Foyer	A beautiful open courtyard-style space that leads to two staircases on either side of the courtyard.
Dining Room	A large round table for 12 sits in the centre of this room, and there are smaller square tables around the sides of the room. It looks like someone has rummaged through the drawers in the cabinets against the wall.
Sitting Room	A pretty large room, clearly meant for entertaining a pretty large group of people. The room looks like it has been tossed, but many years ago. Old pillows are strewn about the room, a table is flipped over, there’s books and decor all over the place but all of it covered in a layer of dust.
The Library	The only room that seems untouched. The books are placed neatly on the shelves, the desk is clean and clear of papers. There’s also a calligraphy set on the desk, with the brush perched on its holder.

Lady Jiang’s Bedroom

A pretty large room at the top of the lacquered stairs, the double doors have gold and brass inlaid into the surface, and carvings of lotuses in the door panels. The room is 20 ft high, 30ft wide and 30 ft deep.
The room is a bit of a disaster, books, clothes and broken pottery shards strewn all over the place. The curtains are drawn, and very dusty. In the middle of the room is a canopy bed, also with sheer silk curtains drawn.
There’s a figure sitting in the canopy bed. With long dark hair covering the face, and arms just limp.
If anyone touches her: Dex save: DC 16 Her arm shoots up and grabs you, and she turns to look at you. Her face is gaunt but youthful, and she looks at you with sorrowful eyes. Then her face rotates to the left, revealing a furious scowl.
The woman in the bed is a Wayward and she will attack

Backdrops

Locations

Phan Tal