The Hacking Cough

[Duniagdra]

In the past month the tragic fire at Elara’s Halfway House held the conversations of many people. With Delastian having been an orphan at her home at a younger age, you knew her as a stern, but caring woman. She opened the orphanage ten years ago, hard on the heels of the Goblinblood War. The atrocities committed by marauding bands of goblins left dozens of children without parents, and Elara took in droves of them.

Delastian know nothing of his parents other than what Elara had told of them. though an adventurer Delastian's father fought in and was killed in that war. Growing up at the halfway house was a pleasant experience for you as she taught you to read and write. Being like a mother to you, it was hard to leave when you felt compelled to follow under the guidance of Iomedae, but she understood and welcomed you to visit as often as allowed. This fire holds a deep sorrow in your heart.

Sheriff Deldrin Baleson has just released the lot of you for stirring up trouble with a local gang. He has not released these members of this gang yet. He intends on holding them some time longer while he investigates something he found on one of them. He detained you for three hours as punishment and sent you on your way home warning that he'll be harder if he catches you at the same stunt again. A few of you chuckle at that, but you move on back to your part of town.

It's when you get closer to home that Drini sees a neighbor leaving his house. Drini confronts the woman, “What gives? Has anything happened with mother?”

The woman responds, “The herbalist claims she's found the source of this illness. Says it's called blackscour taint. Says it's odd this is spreading in these parts since this is not the type of conditions the fungus grows in.”

Common sense tells you all this is good news, since knowing the cause is half the battle, but Drini and Collin didn't seem any brighter non-the-less.

[tdsprouse]

“We should go see this Herbalist, if there's anything we can do, I think we owe it to Drini and Collin to check it out, what do you think?”

Ryiad keeps his hair long-ish, but mostly just shaggy. He wears mostly loose fitting clothes, and seems to have pockets everywhere, visible or otherwise.

He is a fun loving elf, almost always smiling or trying to look at things from the brighter side.

[Benji]

“Hells yeah!” Drini says with a brief smile. Finally! Some small progress! “You guys go on, I just wanna check on mother first.” Drini will then pop home briefly to see how his mother's faring.

[Duniagdra]

Being already at Drini's house, the others just wait for him.

Inside, Drini finds his mother sitting in a chair, a woman from next door handing her some dark beef and onion soup, it's heavy on the onion. She looks up and see's Drini enter, concern on his face. She smiles, “I'm not dying today son. I hear your friends are out there. I'm okay here and you know Millie has been a great help. You've done enough chores this morning. Millie tells me an herbalist has found the source of this illness. Be a dear and find who this person is and if she has a cure yet.” Eager to please his mother, Drini returns outside where his friends are still waiting.

[DrizztFan24]

"I know I am more than ready to go and see the herbalist. So many deaths have been caused already, and add the fire to that, I think everyone could use some good news." With that Collin begins the trudge to the herbalists house. Collin seems almost excited. It's like he is trying to hold in the hope that he is scared to reveal, but he is scared. With all the bad news flowing about town it would just hurt too much to acknowledge the joy of hope only to have it crushed.

[BusyCowboy]

Illixian looks at Drini and nods his head “This type of outbreak is bad. Some of these people's time was not up.” as he sighs and thinks THINKING: The gods work in mysterious ways

[apwhite]

Upon hearing of the recent outbreak of this mysterious illness and the untimely deaths of so many, Locutus' thoughts drift to his own family, his own children and wonders if they, too, are experiencing this malady. “"Perhaps the best way to help my own family is to help these local souls. Drini, I will join you in helping to seek this herbalist. Perhaps my skills and aptitude in the forest may be of service to your family. Ryker and I will guide you to this 'Herbalist'."”

Turning to his trusting companion, Locutus give a quick pat on Rykers neck. Ryker almost ignores the loving embrace, his eyes fixed on the movements of a near-by large half-orc. Ryker has never been too fond of orcs, savages as they were. Routinely raiding and killing his kind. Locutus, keen and aware of the emotions of his trusted companion quickly sizes up the half-orc and whispers, “"Easy now, Ryker, that one looks like a handful. It is not our job to teach him civility, leave that to the paladins. They claim to know what is best for everyone."”

[Duniagdra]

Locutus asks some people about this herbalist.

Spoiler: show

Diplomacy; Gather Information. (1d20+4=19)

He finds a man who recalls her, “Sure, Laurel, turn left then right, then left again and another two rights. Roots and Remedies” (Building 14 on the map) “is the name, but easier still will be the line of people standing outside her door. I suggest you be patient though, that line can be a bit of a wait, hour, maybe two if it's long and considering the state of things, I suggest you not try cutting in. I know you boys and your antics.”

OUT-OF-CHARACTER:    Drini's home, by the way, is the north house on the dead end street north of Building #3 on the map.

Together, you all follow the man's direction and sure enough, half way down this street is a line of about twenty some people outside a rugged-looking, two-story shop bearing the faded sign “Roots and Remedies” with creeping ivy and full window boxes covering the facade. A line of somber townsfolk—some with pale, wheezing children, others seeming to be precipitously near tears—stretches from the open door.

[DrizztFan24]

"It would seem that word spreads quickly. Perhaps this means that the news is good. Why else would so many people linger?" Collin gets in line and waits patiently for his turn.

[apwhite]

“Well, I suppose we can wait. Two hours is an awfully long time to stand in queue. But if we are to learn anything of this Blackscour taint, this is the right place to start. You guys have any ideas on shortening the line up some?”

OUT-OF-CHARACTER:    Maybe a few intimidate checks or start a fight

.
“Perhaps we can assist the herbalist in gathering reagents for her cures. Nature does provide.”
Turning to Collin, Locutus asks, “We appear to have a wait, care to pass the time with a game of Gemsnatcher?”

[marine7312000]

“I recommend we simply wait in line Collin. These people need help just like Drini's mother.” Says Delastian.

[DrizztFan24]

OUT-OF-CHARACTER:    Marine, Collin is already waiting in line. Locutus is the one that is getting antsy. I bet he thinks that waiting is futile...

Collin turns to Locutus and replies, "I would play a round with you, except I fear that I carry no dice on me; however, if you had a set I would be more than willing to play."

[Duniagdra]

As Collin and Locutus engage each other in bickering back and forth, razing each other with dares and challenges, the people in the line look on with some concern. The line, however, moves much quicker than anticipated and soon you're inside.

The smell of burnt earth and spicy incense chokes the air of the cramped, mud-tracked shop. Bunches of dried herbs hang from the ceiling, along with dangling pots, presses, alchemical apparatuses, and glassware of more arcane purposes. Pouches of rare plants, jars of colored glass, and all manner of dried, preserved, and jellied animal parts fill high shelves and tables doing double duty as displays and workspaces. In the shop’s rear, a rail-thin woman with severe-looking spectacles and hair pulled back tightly busies herself between an over packed rack of herbs, a table covered in stray powders and measuring equipment, and a pot loudly bubbling over with thick gray froth. Over the din of her work and without looking up, the woman impatiently shouts, “And what’s your problem?”

[DrizztFan24]

Collin steps forward and addresses the lady, "I fear my problem is the same as the rest of the town. My mother is ill with this blackscour fungus and I require the remedy. Please, tell me what you need and where to find it and I should be able to gather ingredients for you that this pandemic may be overcome." *Collin bows even though the lady is hardly paying him a thought*

[Duniagdra]

She looks over her glasses at Collin. “Sweety, while I understand your need, I've tried so many remedies, that i'm running out of ideas of what more to try. Ingredients?” She waves an arm grandly revealing the clutter of ingredients in her shop, “Perhaps you hadn't noticed all that?”

[DrizztFan24]

"So the rumors are false? We had been told that you had discovered the cure. As for the ingredients, there was quite a line. I had figured that with that many people you would be running low on supplies. What might I be able to do that could speed up the process of finding a cure if you don't already have one, then? I really will do anything. It for the family and the good of the town." *Collin steels himself for the news that there is nothing to be done.*

[Duniagdra]

Laurel withdraws her glasses and glares at him a moment for the slight toward her. “As for rumors, son. I'm not a medic. Yes, I did find the cause, but that doesn't mean I've found the cure. With regards to my supplies, I have assistants Running here and there seeking out new stock frequently. Many of what's in here is not all for one thing, so not everything runs low, just what's relative to these symptoms. As for what you can do for me by acquiring ingredients, I'm not sure there is anything in this area that may be able to cure this. I'm sorry, but that's the truth of it.” She then returns her glasses to the bridge of her nose and lifts an old leather book, opens it and begins reading through it.

[DrizztFan24]

*turns to Locutus* "You deal with the woodlands and nature do you not? What do you know of this fungus?"

[tdsprouse]

“Yes, even knowing the cuase is a start, what can you tell us about that?”

[marine7312000]

Delastian eyes his friends as they question the woman. While listening he looks around the shop, keeping his eyes open for any substances that he might recognize from his studies in healing.

[BusyCowboy]

Illixian ponders and thinks for a moment. He then chimes in “Do you happen to know the base of what you need to at least cure this problem? I am sure there are numerous herbal remedies out there, however mayhaps combining two or more could assist in such a thing, or at least buy us some time, would it not?”

He then looks around in wonderment at the things.

[apwhite]

*Commands Ryker to wait outside the shop.*
“Madame Herbalist, I have been professionally trained in the healing arts as well. My speciality is in caring for the frame of the body and the delicate, natural balances that occurr between structure and function. Although I must defere to your expertise when it comes to proper pharmacologic interventions, perhaps my insight may be of some use to you. What do you feel is the cause of the Blackscour Taint?”

[Benji]

As soon as they entered the herbalist's shop, Drini's eyes were scouring the shelves trying to find something labelled 'Remedy' or 'Cure'. Evidently not finding what he was looking for and with Laurel's assertion that she didn't actually have a cure, the half elf started to get angry again. “Yeah! Just tell us the source and how it was cured and we'll go and sort it out! SOMEBODY should do!”

[Duniagdra]

She turns from her book and eyes all of you skeptically, “You're all together?” Seeing each of you nod, she shakes her head as she adds a new component to her brew. “I'm sorry, but I really don't need more than what I've got here in my shop. As for mixing things together, herbalism in as much a science as alchemy. introducing the wrong ingredients to each other can be fatal at best, debilitating at worst.” She returns to her book flipping through pages, “I really wish there was something...” She paused, starring at the page. She turns to an assistant restocking some items and instructs her to watch the kettle not boil over or the color to not turn by mixing frequently. “Come outside with me.” She then exits the shop without waiting.

You all look to each other unsure of what just changed, but you follow her anyhow. Outside, She's standing two buildings down. When you meet her She appears unsure and secretive. “I inherited this book from my grandmother. This contains all her successful remedies for even ailments I've never seen. See this entry here...” She point at a page with writing on it, but none of you can make it out. “I have read this before, when the illness first came to light. It's a very dangerous potion, requiring the addition of three ingredients that just should not be mixed. Reading her notes, however gives me reason enough to believe this can and will work. I've asked others to retrieve these ingredients for me, but none are willing to risk the wilds of Darkmoon Vale. Because of not having anyone willing to retrieve these three components, I've dismissed it and forgotten about it.”

[Benji]

“If it could help me save Mother, then I'll definitely go!” He turns to his friends with a hopeful grin. “Who's with me?”

[apwhite]

“Well the sherriff will probably be letting the [the rival gang] out soon. They may seek some retribution, after all, we were not held in custody as long as they were. Perhaps it might be best to leave town for a day or two to allow hostilities to settel. I am not excited about spending more time in custody for defending myself against those ruffians.

Madame Herbalist, I am not familiar with the name of this place you mention. What more could you tell me of it? How far it is? What types of terrain are involved in the trek. Are there any particular dangers along the route?”

Hoping she is not too upset with our intrusion, I make a Gather Information check on the above questions. Results:Gather Information from Herbalist. (1d20 4=10)

[DrizztFan24]

Collin chips in his two copper pieces with, "While I am no stranger to being jailed for defending myself, I would prefer not to spend any more quality time with the sherriff. The sooner we leave to find these ingredients the better chance of avoiding troubles. Does anyone know of someone with experience outside of the city? I can certainly ask my parents."

[Duniagdra]

OUT-OF-CHARACTER:    My apologies again. Darkmoon Vale is the area surrounding Falcon's Hollow. Mostly unexplored, the vale is considered Wild and dangerous. A perfect place for finding adventure. I'll include this in the map post.

[DrizztFan24]

In light of the news, Collin casts his vote with finding locations of the ingredients and and returning them.

[BusyCowboy]

Illixian sighs and looks at the lady “Mayhaps it be best that you write this information down for us so that way we may be able to find these items that you are seeking. Perhaps in a more common language at that.” as he points to the page.