The elder Rinn has concerns about the parties motivation to helping the village and especially when it was revealed that the river spirit is potentially involved. But despite his concerns the mayor enlists the parties help to recover the lantern and suggests talking to two orphans in the village to find out what they know.
So grab a coffee, maybe some food to go as we kick off into tonight’s adventure!
Elder Rinn
532TuElRi
The Elder Rinn stood over a silver lantern that they had managed to recover as they floated back down upon the strings that bound them to the totems that they were lashed to. As his weathered fingers trembling as he traced the remnants of the lantern while the other hand finished removing the woven reeds from around teh frame. ‘This was one of the sacred ones much like the one we lost to the river,’ he murmured, voice low and taut. ‘The other one held a key of sorts while this one held a feather.’ he said as he brought out a silver feather that seemed to shimmer with moonlight. ‘They are not just symbolic, but real relics of this villages past.’
He paused for some time as he sat down to watch the parties. ‘The key that was lost was bound to the river spirit itself. Not something that outsiders would know or care about’ The party exchanged uneasy glances. The party hadn’t known about the history of the ritual just that the festival itself was a highlight for many nearby villages and the people that called them home. Mayor Talia Reed stepped forward, her tone firm but sympathetic. ‘They didn’t mean harm, Rinn. They’re here to help.’
Rinn’s gaze lingered on the adventurers, his eyes like moss-covered stone, ancient and unmoving. ‘Help,’ he echoed, bitterly. ‘Outsiders always say that. But the river doesn’t forget. That lantern was part of the pact. Its fall is a warning to all those that take from it.’ Regardless how the party tried to explain the old druid was unconvinced until Rinn raised a hand to silence them. ‘If the spirit awakens fully, it may offer what fools crave most: restoration. But its power is not ours to wield.’ The tumbling of a pot from outside heralded eavesdroppers.
Two small figures darted away; bare feet slapping against the wooden board and mud that made up most of the walkways in the village. ‘Amal and Jessa’. The mayor sighed as he looked to the party. ‘They’re orphans,’ she said softly. ‘Lost their parents to the river two years ago. Jessa barely speaks. Amal… he’s not the same since he came back.’ Her voice faltered. ‘They listen because they remember. Even if they don’t understand.’
‘You must find the key before it’s claimed by something that doesn’t know the bargain that is demanded.’ Rinn’s expression shifted. Less suspicion now and more one filled with sorrow. ‘The river spirit can bring back the lost,’ he said, almost to himself. ‘But it doesn’t distinguish between soul and shadow and it always takes a price without asking. If the key is found by one who seeks only reunion, it may twist that wish into something else.’ He turned to the party. ‘If you indeed only do care to help us then you must find it before someone else does. Not for power. Not for glory. But to keep the balance.’
Mayor Reed nodded. ‘We’ll support you, and I know that you need to make a living as well.’ she said with a look at elder Rinn, ‘The villagers will too, once they see your intent.’ She looked toward the door where the children had fled. ‘Start with them. Jessa dreams in symbols. Amal… he’s drawn to the river. They may already be part of this.’
Outside, the moon hung low over Riverfall, casting silver light across the wheatfields and orchards that surrounded the river and its stones.
Thanks for visiting tonight for another update for this weeks adventure. Don’t forget to come back the last few nights this week to make sure that you don’t miss anything that happens with this adventure. And, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe
Brazen Wolfe Tabletop 