Chapter 2: Ballad of the Soup and the Fire

• The party were heading out of Beton Chin, south-west towards Windhall.
• They came across a run down stone house and decided to stop for lunch as a storm was heading in.
• Maebh knocks a pot of soup over and they meet Ori.
• Ori is delighted to get to know the party. Elesandra awakens her ability to levitate.
• They bring Ori with them as they continue down the road.
• Firia scouts a place to camp for the night in a copse of thick trees.
• Maebh takes first watch and falls asleep (she denies this).
• They awaken to Maebh's shout as the trees have come alive, attacking the party.
• Ori notes their black hearts. A black stone is wrapped in vines, pulsing in each tree.
• One of the trees “calls” for help by sending out a black pulse. Twisted crows hear it's call.
• Elesandra sets the forest on fire, as usual.
• Elesandra tries to destroy one of the black stones. Her talon pendant responds to the black rock. She tries to use her pendant to touch the rock. An explosion sends her flying back. A gravelly voice whispers “We have found them…”.
• Elesandra puts the fire out.
• The party continues to Windhall.
• They arrive at their previous establishment sad to see it occupied by a different troupe.
• They have a brief encounter with Annabel and her posse.
• Firia uses magic to upset the foundation of the building. (2 threat linger…)

As you approach Windhall again, the capital city of Pelonia, you can see the towering walls of the city looming in the distance. The walls are made of grey stone and are lined with guards clad in shining armor. As you get closer, you can see the gates of the city, made of thick iron bars, slowly creaking open to let you pass. The weather is mild and sunny, with a clear blue sky and a light breeze carrying the scent of baking bread and roasting meats from the vendors' carts. The cobblestone streets give off a slightly damp smell, as if they were recently cleaned by the city's street sweepers.

Once inside, you find yourself on a cobblestone street lined with shops and vendors selling their wares. The streets are bustling with people of all shapes and sizes - humans, dwarves, orcs, cat people, and many others can be seen going about their business. The architecture is a mix of different styles, with pointed roofs and intricate carvings adorning the buildings. As you make your way deeper into the city, you come across a grand palace, the home of the king of Pelonia, surrounded by lush gardens and a moat. The palace is grand and imposing, with tall spires reaching up to the sky, and the gardens give off a fresh, fragrant aroma of blooming flowers and freshly cut grass.

As you continue to explore the city, you notice that most of the people here still follow the religion of Valor, and you can see several statues and chapels dedicated to the god throughout the city. You also notice that many of the people seem to be suspicious of anything magical that isn't of Valor, and you can see several signs and symbols warning against the evil one. The city's marketplaces have a strong smell of spices and herbs, and the smell of wood smoke from hearths and chimneys can be noticed as well, indicating that the city has grown in your absence.

Despite the palpable tension, Windhall is a city full of life and activity, with a diverse population and a rich culture to discover. The variety of smells that can be noticed as one walks through the streets, from the delicious aromas of food to the fresh scent of flowers and greenery, makes it pleasant and inviting to visitors.

As you make your way through the streets of Windhall, you come across a familiar building that used to be your tavern. You can't help but feel a twinge of sadness as you approach, knowing that it's no longer yours. The tavern looks slightly different than you remember - it seems to have been recently renovated, with a fresh coat of paint on the walls and new signs hanging out front. The familiar creaky sign above the door has been replaced with a new one, bearing the name of the Pampered Peacock.

As you approach the tavern, you can hear the sound of laughter and music spilling out into the street. The door is slightly ajar and you can see people dancing and enjoying themselves inside. The tavern seems to be doing well under new ownership, and you can't help but feel a little envious of their success.

You take a moment to look at the tavern and remember the good times you had there, the memories and the joy you shared with your friends and customers. The tavern was a place where you created a community and it gave you a sense of belonging.

Despite the sadness you feel, you can't help but feel a sense of nostalgia as you look at the tavern, and you decide to go inside.

As you step foot into the tavern, your eyes are met with a vision of vibrant energy. The new owner, a young human woman, glides towards you with the grace of a swan. Her jet-black tresses flow behind her, cascading down her shoulders like a waterfall of ink. She is dressed in a sleek black dress that hugs her curves, exuding a sense of regal elegance. Her name is Annabel, and as she greets you, her voice is as smooth as honey.

But as she looks at you, her eyes seem to dance with a hint of disdain, her gaze flitting to your shabby, travel-stained clothes, her expression one of mild contempt. You can't help but feel a twinge of discomfort as she introduces you to her troupe of performers.

The first performer you meet is Ghorza, a lithe orc dancer, whose movements are as fluid as a river. As you watch her dance, you are reminded of an old friend you haven't seen in some time. The second performer, a half-snow leopard dancer named Emi, is a blur of motion on stage, her lithe form twisting and turning to the beat of the music, as the patrons cheer and clap in appreciation.

As Annabel continues to talk to you, a gruff dwarf named Skavur comes over and tells her that the buffet is ready to be opened. Skavur is an excellent chef, his face is weathered and his hands are rough, but his eyes sparkle with intelligence, and his smile is warm and inviting. He specializes in many types of dishes including seafood and the aroma coming from his kitchen is mouthwatering.

The atmosphere in the tavern is lively and entertaining, but the interaction with Annabel and Skavur is cordial and a bit formal, with Annabel trying to establish a sense of superiority, but Skavur is more direct and friendly. The tavern is a place where memories are made, and you can't help but feel a sense of nostalgia for the good times you had there.

• 10xp