With a sheepish laugh, Zoltan picked himself up off the floor and carefully set the stools back up.

"That stool snuck up on me...." He cleared his throat and adjusted his shirt so it lay normally.

"So, shall we head on out?" he asked with a hand on his neck. "And you sold that pipe-thing right?" he asked Jehan and rubbed his elbow which was now slightly bruised from his trip to the floor.

"Those stools" Said Jehan, with a dry joking tone, "sneaky bastards. Be glad you made it out with your life. Oh no not yet, I simply talked to him about possible commission work, I would like to make a better one to show him, so he wouldnt turn me away." suddenly his mood became a bit more sassy and he raised an eyebrow, "Pipe-thingy? Ooh dont start this again..."

They all shared in a short chuckle before looking out the window, "but I do agree," He said, looking toward the direction of Henri's house, "We should get going, I'd like to find out whats going on around here. Its piqued my interest."

[Private to DM Ryan: appraisal check on pipe for worth]

"Like a bull in an elvish shop" Eike says while shaking his head, "This is why we can't go anywhere nice."

Gather himself, Eike grips his staff in his hand and looks outwards, "Yes, let's get going to Mr. Keirch's house. I'm feeling an adventure coming on."

The party departed the General Store, and from the Town Square, followed a small road leading to the riverfront. The walk reminded them of how narrow the town of Varna was, for they had scarcely passed a handful of houses before they heard the rushing water of the river Ebb. Jehan grew nostalgic with fond, wet memories.

Passing the docks, tied to which were a mere four small fishing boats, they approached a row of houses built along the riverside. They stopped at the very first one, which the miners at Varna Inn had marked on their map. They knocked.

"One minute," shouted a muffled voice from inside. After a few moments, the door opened. Before them stood a middle-aged man whose head was bald, save for tufts of gray-brown hair on the sides. He wasn't overweight but rather hefty in stature. He glared at the party with brown eyes. "Who are you? What do you want!"
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:47, Fri 24 July 2015.

Jehan leaned slightly forward and toward Zoltan, "Sheesh, kind of breaks the usual happy mood of the regular townsfolk eh?" he slipped in with a careful whisper and stepped more out into the open in front of the large man so he could be plainly seen and smiled with an almost childlike wave.

"Mister Henri I presume? So sorry to barge in unannounced like this, we just entered your small lovely town and we uh..." His voice trailed off slightly, not quite sure how to raise the point to the handless, and presumably lifeless status of the large mans brother. "We found something and we believe it belonged to your brother." He said as plainly as possibly, "We were engaged in small talk at the tavern and we got on the topic-" As he spoke he turned to notice the few boats and sparse people scattered along the road or engaged in conversation. Based on the manner of which the owner of the ring departed as well as finding his skeletal hand in the river just a stones throw away, (well, not for Jehan or Eike, Zoltan could probably make the throw. Point being: it was very nearby) Jehan couldnt rule out foul play from any of the townsfolk. Anybody could have dismembered the owner of the ring... Even the man he stood before

"Could we please come in and talk about our findings sir? Perhaps this will ease any stress on you and possibly help you with any questions you may have about your brother. We're not sure, but I personally believe it would be better if just the four of us talked in solitude." Jehan reached into his pocket and with his hand still clenched tightly, he held it in front of the large man, opening it just slightly enough so only Henri could see what it was. The ring with the initials of his late or missing brother. "We found this on accident in a strange place not far from here. Will you allow us private audience?"

[While he spoke, Jehan kept a watchful eye on Henri's reaction, weither it be genuine or hostile, as well as keeping the townsfolk within subtle eyesight to see if they were being spied on]

[Private to DM Ryan:

Should Henri become hostile and attempt to strike or grab Jehan, he subtly prepares to dodge or leap out of the way (not sure how to do this... Its never come up before lol)

Jehan Roux rolled 5 using Sense motive, Henri. Genuine response/guilty party perhaps?
Jehan Roux rolled 12 using Diplomacy check Henri, allow private conversation.]
This message was last edited by the player at 15:00, Mon 03 Aug 2015.

Zoltan mostly stood feeling rather awkward. He was already uneasy about talking to the man, and with the slightly rough greeting the three were given, it looked like the conversation might be skating on thin ice. Zoltan did his best to stand tall and confident but not appear too threatening. Or maybe he did want to appear threatening? He wasn't sure.

With some concern for his companion, Zoltan gave his shoulders a roll and watched the man's movements carefully.
[If the man proceeds to attack Jehan with some kind of punch or grab, Zoltan will attempt to bring up his arms horizontally to bar the man from making contact using primarily his elbows to pin the man against the door frame]
This message was last edited by the player at 00:42, Tue 04 Aug 2015.

Eike took a step back after Henri's response. He nudges Jehan and says quietly, "Yeah, tell him who we are and why we're here."

He watched Henri closely after he opened the door. Henri seemed a bit hostile and Eike wasn't about to let someone take him off guard. While the door was open, Eike took a look at what he could of the inside of the house, trying to see what kind of status he was, if he was wealthy or poor. Anything he could infer about the large man in front of the party. He also watches the man for any kind of sudden movement. He thinks on the man's large size, "What if he just has a reaction to seeing the ring with his brother's initials on it. I don't want to attack the poor man unless he really means us harm." Eike takes a look at Jehan and thinks, "Jehan can probably take at least one hit from the guy, right?" Nonetheless, Eike keeps his staff in both hands while Henri is in front of them. Keeping a defensive position more than an offensive one.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:47, Tue 04 Aug 2015.

Henri Keirch gaped at the ring in Jehan's hand. His aggressive disposition melted away. "I know that ring. That's my brother's!" He took a step back and beckoned the party to come inside. Warily, the followed his gesture and entered his home.

They walked into decent sized room which was mostly occupied by a kitchen. In one corner there was wooden table and window overlooking the riverfront. The bottom floor was a single room, and there was a staircase leading to a second floor above. Henri Keirch placed a kettle on the stove. "It's been years since someone mentioned my brother. Please, tell me where you found that ring." The party exchanged glances with each other, wondering just how much they should say. At last Zoltan answered, "It was in the river. We found it just this morning." Hearing this, Henri Keirch's face grew stern and pensive.

After a moment he spoke a few words aloud, though it was clear he was thinking at length. "I knew it." "Knew what?" Jehan asked, his curiosity peaked. "Take a seat. I'll tell ye strangers," he replied.

As the party accepted his offer, he expounded, "Ye see, my brother Manual was smart man – smarter than I any way. He liked to read and do other things I couldn't understand. And his smarts made him real popular at the Iron Mines too; was a good foreman there and liked plenty by his workers. Then, one day, he just goes and vanishes." The kettle began to boil, and he took it off the stove-top.

"Now he told me everything, ye see? We'd get drinks most e'er night at the tavern. But the couple weeks before he disappears, he looks real worried and all. I asked him bout what, but he wouldn't say – which is odd for him, ye know? He just said he couldn't tell me cause he had to be really sure before he did, though I didn't know what he was talkin' about. Then one night – poof – he's gone. And on top of that, he's conveniently replaced pretty much the next day at the Iron Mines, new foreman and all. Now, I went up to the Baron's house – he owns the mines right – and ask where my brother be. He says he came to him, resigned, and took off, saying something about a sweetheart in Amstetten out west. I go to the nightman on the West Gate, and he says yea, my brother took off that night..."

"Now, none of this sat right with me. My brother wasn't one of those folk to do things like that. He was always cautious – thought everything through before he did it. I knew something bad happened to him. And if ye ask me, he was murdered!"

"Why would someone murder him?" asked Eike. Henri Keirch filled a number of cups with tea and placed them on the table. "I dunno. But what was I to do? If I went out to the magistrate and said he was murdered, that'd mean I'd be calling the Baron a liar. I'd be disgrace of the town if I go and say that with nothin' to prove it.'

'If you strangers are interested in this and bent on helping, figure this out for me. Find out what happened to my brother, and why. If it turns I'm wrong and he's in Amstetten with some wife – and never sent a letter for some reason – well, I'll be much happier knowin'. So this is what I ask of ye. Find out what happened to my brother."

quote:

Quest Received! Find out what happened to Manual Keirch

[Private to Jehan Roux: Sense Motive ~ You have no idea what this guy's thinking.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:54, Wed 05 Aug 2015.

Jehan took a deep inhale as he held the cup of tea in front of him. It was comical, seeing a man that large making a decent pot of tea. He had never had anything quite like it. White Henri spoke, Jehans sharp, darting eyes made quick observations of the mans home.

"Thank you for your hospitality sir - Zol, Watch out for them stools. Remember last time," He said with a quick backhanded, inside joke. Jehan cleared his throat. "Quite the home you have here. Live alone? Or are you with wife and children. I would hate to continue this conversation were there little ears around... so I suppose Ill give you the cliff-notes." Jehan, without taking a sip, set the teacup carefully on the plate and walked over toward Henri, a mere whispering distance so if anyone were in the home, they wouldnt hear his words.

"Truth is..." He said resting his hand on the large man's shoulder to show sympathy, "We dont actually know the details of your brothers current state of existence... We found the ring in the river just outside of town as we went to wash and um..." Jehan looked toward his friends who sat with cups of tea in their hands. Even Zoltan, a man who could easily kill both Eike and Jehan within seconds if he could held the cup with class, extended pinkey and everything. He was either trying hard to compensate for lack of class, or was a man who knew his way around a teacup.

Anyway, Jehan looked down, searching for the words, still whispering, "Thats not all we found." He could feel Henris shoulders tense up with the words, fear of the coming words almost being felt as well. "No no, its not that bad, no uh... bodies. But the ring was attached..."

"Attached to what?..." Henri asked, eyebrow raised, with a mixture of confusion and panic. "A hand." Jehan bluntly stated. "Nothing else was in the water. Simply that. I dont know about you, but I already have an eerie feeling about that Baron, would have any idea where we might meet the fellow? Or maybe even his home..." He said with a sly tone and devious expression, I have ways of... entering places to find important information."

[Private to DM Ryan:

Jehan Roux rolled 21 Knowledge local, type of tea, tampered with?
Jehan Roux rolled 8 Knowledge geography, Type of tea, tampered with?
Jehan Roux rolled 6 Listen check, anyone else in the house.]

Trying to help ease the tension Eike looks to Henri and says, "But we don't know his fate either. I'm not saying there's no hoping, but prepare for the worst and hope for the best ya' know." Eike takes his tea once more and finishes the cup. He looks back up and in a bit brighter tone, "How rude of us. We come into your home with this kind of news and you haven't the fondest idea who we are. I am Eike and these are my companions Jehan and Zoltan. We have been a sort of fellowship\ for  good while here. Although, we seem to do a lot of simple walking... We are entertainers and travelers seeking adventure." He looks to his companions, "And looks like we have found our adventure."

Eike takes his staff in hand and puts the end to the floor. The room seems to darken mysteriously. In a manner a bit more profound than he meant he exclaims, "We will find what happened to your brother, and if there is wrong doing here we will bring those responsible to justice!" Eike takes a breath for a moment and notices everyone staring at him. Although he doesn't remember standing, Eike sits back down. He says in response, "Heh... yeah... we'll figure out what's going on here. Sometimes I get a little too dramatic."

Zoltan enjoyed his cup of tea, having gone without a cup in a while he was glad for it. He gave a small eye roll with a hint of a smile to Jehan about the stool comment. Sipping quietly he listened to his companions and watched Henri carefully.

"It's been a while since we've had a god adventure, and helping you come to terms with what happened to your brother sounds like a good place for us to start up again." He took a final sip of tea, emptying his cup minus a few stray tea leaves stuck to the bottom. "We're just as interested in getting to the bottom of this issue as you. Now if there's any information that could help us, anything at all, even maybe a small detail, it might be able to help us out." He set his tea cup on the table with a soft clatter of porcelain.

"Like this town you mentioned. Any reason he might go there other than what he said? Maybe any shady businesses he might have gotten mixed up with?"

Jehan felt a shiver through Henri Keirch's shoulder as he told him about the hand. The large fellow sighed. "Then there fer certain was no happy end fer my brother. At least I know now. And if ye found such a thing in the river, then there certainly be foul play at work; for it'd take a fool to drown in such shallow waters, and my brother was no fool." Zoltan gave Jehan a casual glance.

Henri Keirch poured a second round of tea for his guests. "Ye need not worry about little ones here. I ne'er married. The woman I longed fer married another, but I won't talk about that now." Eike then spoke enthusiastically in regard to the quest at hand, to which Henri Keirch replied, "Truth be told, I appreciate such fervor. It's been nigh two years since my brother's slaying, and I've had to bear a terrible shunning of the topic fer too long. Sirs Eike, Zoltan, and Jehan – I count ye as friends now, fer ye willingness and daring. And if ye solve a crime such as this, I'll reward ye as best I can."

"Now if ye marched on up to the Iron Mines, ye would also pass the Baron's estate, and such a place couldn't be missed {Map Location Added}. But I pray ye don't risk too much, for if ye got on the wrong side of the Baron before ye had the evidence in hand, ye would be thrown outta town in an instant." Zoltan wondered if there was any more information to be had. Henri Keirch replied, "My brother was no person of ill character; if fact, I could hardly name a man with more moral dignity than he. He'd ne'er involve himself with shameful dealings. The only other thing I could think of, a place ye may wish to see fer evidence and the like, is his residence. He used to rent a house a couple down from mine, but after he left, his landlady, the kind ol' Rosie, decided to move in {Map Location Added}. That's about all I can think of."

The party finished their tea, and their hearts were overwhelmed with both excitement for adventure and sympathy for the plight onto which they've stumbled. There was certainly a mystery at work in the supposedly quiet abode of Varna. Henri Keirch wished them goodluck and farewell as they departed.

Once again they were back on the streets of Varna, and the world was at their fingertips.



[Private to Jehan Roux: Knowledge Local ~ The tea was made from Polly Flower, whose yellow petals when ground make a delightful tea. Commonly found in Styrie!]
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:25, Sat 08 Aug 2015.

The party once again stood outside, heads full of all sorts of new information to process...

"Oh hey by the way," Jehan blurted out of the silence of deep thought, "That tea was fantasic and made with local foliage. If anyone spots any Polly Flowers, its a little flower with yellow petals by the way, while we roll around in the fields or whatever, be sure to collect some. Maybe we can make ourselves a surplus of tea eh? Who knows, I thought it was lovely. Maybe we could make a bit of money out of it as well.."

The bard took a step forward, hands on his hips. "Personally, I think this Barron fellow seems like a real sack of suspicious shit. We may way to keep out of his eye for a while. Mayhaps we pay miss Rosie a visit? Maybe the recently handless man has some sort of clue as to what was going on before he left."

Jehan spun around quickly the heel of his boot pointing two fingers, both aimed at the faces of his companions, "Before we get a chance to see what she looks like, its safe to say that if shes above an eight, I call pre-dibs"

With a hearty nod, Zoltan agreed with Jehan. "Yes, that tea was excellent. It's been too long since I've had a good cup, and that really hit the spot. I'm ready to solve a murder mystery now!" he rubbed his hands together with a mischievous smile.

"And I think it'd be good to collect a few clues before talking with the Barron, you're right. Wouldn't want him stopping us before we got started." He stretched his arms out as he spoke, loosening up his shoulders.

At Jehan's comment, he began to laugh. "You 'member he did say 'ol' lady,' and if she's got her own land to be renting out, she's too old for you pal." He gave the boy a friendly slap on the back still smiling.

EIke looks at Jehan with a smirk, "She's all yours bud."

He takes a moment to gather himself and with his staff in hand he looks outwards down the road. Eike brightens up a bit and says, "And did you guys hear that? A reward! I knew this town was going to be good to us!" He takes a moment to look down at their map and look at where Henri marked for his brother's old place. Looking back up he says, "Yes, Let's make our way to Rosie's house."

Jehan's two extended fingers slowly curled down and his devious expression slowly melted in turn. He had forgotten about the fact that Henri had referred to Rosie as "Ol" The bard turned his head to avoid the laughing faces of his friends and tightly shut his eyes, gritting his teeth, a single word was muttered to himself:

Deciding to head to Rosie's house, and the ex-home of Manual Keirch, the party wandered along the river banks. Her house was only a couple buildings down from that of Henri Keirch, and both were built overlooking the river Ebb - the same river where the party found just this morning a skeletal hand, a ring, and the beginnings of a mystery.

They walked on a dirt footpath beside the river. White froth floated atop the nearby current, constantly churned by the shallow banks and rocks underneath. The steady hum of babbling waters was an omnipresent music for all who lived on the riverfront.

After a short walk, they reached their destination. Rosie's house was built in the same style as any other, built of timber and roofed with red-clay tiles, but it was made distinct by a lovely garden which faced the river. The party approached the front door and knocked. The door was soon opened by a middle-aged woman, perhaps in her early forties; she wore a burgundy dress and a shawl over her hair, a style common to many of the female residents in Varna. Her complexion was a kind one. "Hello," she said brightly.

Although she was immediately likable on first impression, she was indeed old and notably beginning to wrinkle with age. Eike smirked and whispered in Jehan's ear, "As I said, she's all yours." "Shut up," Jehan whispered in reply, his cheeks reddening.

The smell of something cooking wafted over the party from inside the house, bringing a pleasant odour. Rosie pleasantly continued, "What brings such a colorful group of strangers to my door?"

While Jehan is tying to recover from his recent... revelation, Eike answered, "Unfortunately miss, we are here because of unfortunate circumstances and helping our new friend Henri. Before I get too ahead of myself, I am Eike and these are my traveling companions." He looks to Jehan and Zoltan as they introduce themselves.

As Eike spoke and finished his self introduction, he stepped aside, showing his two companions behind him. As soon as he turned, for a brief moment, Jehan could be seen hands resting on his knees and hunched over, attempting to recover from the horrid mental imagery he accidentally gave himself. The transition from hidden, to within eyesight of the woman was quick enough that she did not notice. A swift inhale and hair whip was all she saw of the bard as he jetted to an upright position again.

"Hello miss," He said, self induced awkwardness aside, "My name is Jehan, we are traveling performers of sorts and it is as my friend Eike says, we met a man in town named Henri and simply wish to help him out." Jehan placed his hand behind his back and took a step forward with a heart-filled look to his face. "He is a very kind man opening his door so freely to weary strangers and... well when we heard the news of his brother who we were informed lived here before you, we were hoping to take a look around, perhaps you should shed some light on the situation? Not only for us, but for our new friend Henri and the family. We fear something dire may have happened to him."

The bard stood a respectful distance away from Miss Rosie, where as not to cause her to worry about ill intentions, "Everyone here has been so kind to us, with the first friend we had made, we hope to help in anyway we can in his stead. And-" he continued, "Perhaps make another friend in the process?" He said with a suave smile. "I dabble slightly in the art of the Lute, perhaps in exchange for any information you may have on the previous tenant, or even allowing us to check the place around, you would allow me to play a song  or two for you?" Jehan said slowly sliding the black instrument into his hands from behind his back. "An audience would be greatly appreciated. And perhaps, you would welcome some peaceful melodies as my friends search the area for any clues as to his sudden disappearance?"

With a pleasant smile Zoltan listened to Jehan. He stood with his hands folded in front of him calmly. "And I'm Zoltan. They're the performers, I'm the one who keeps them in line at times and from making fools of themselves," he said with a warm smile. "And if you don't want a song from my friend here, let me know and I'll take care of him for you. A fine lady as yourself might not be so entertained by these young ones." He glanced at the too with a playful look in his eye.

"But we would certainly love any information you might have on the disappearance of this man. Anything at all, maybe strange habits, odd hours for coming and going. Anything."

Rosie smiled at the odd assortment of travelers before her. "Why, you are an entertaining bunch! Come in dearies. I adore having company. You said you talked to Henri?" She chuckled to herself. "He's always had a bit of a crush on me you know. Thinks I don't know, but we women – we know everything! Come in, come in." She ushered the adventurers inside who were more than happy to oblige, for the scent of something delicious beckoned them, in addition to their host being so damn charming.

Rosie's abode reflected a well-kept, woman's home. The bottom floor was only one room, like most residences in Varna, and was occupied largely by the kitchen. Stairs led to a second floor. Herbs and vegetables draped the shelves, no doubt freshly picked from the garden outside. A half chopped turnip laid on the counter from when Rosie paused to open the door. She resumed her chopping as she spoke, "Manual, Henri's brother, lived here for many years. Ten I think. He's was an excellent man, good tenant – always paid his rent on time. But when he left for Amstetten, as they say, he didn't tell me at all. It was awfully discourteous of him, don't you think? Anyway, I lived in a small cottage at the time; and it's such a nice house, instead of renting it out again I decided to move in myself! Good decision, for it gets such a lovely view of the river. He left a lot of junk though I remember. I tried keeping it for a long time in case he ever came back for it, but he never did. So I ended up selling most of it over the years. In fact I just sold a dark, ugly desk of his last week – an imported thing that took me forever to get rid of. Oh my, he left town, what, two years ago? How time flies!"

She placed the turnips in a boiling pot of stew and ladled out three bowls of it. She set the bowls on the dining table. The adventurers were far too tempted and sat down. "Try this dearies," Rosie insisted. "It's a new recipe, so you folks shall be the test! You said you played music? My, I'd love to hear a song. I don't go to the tavern, so I rarely get much amusement here. I know Henri and Manual went to the tavern nightly, but I don't know what else he did with his time. He was very caught up in his work at the Iron Mines. All the men used to admire him and say he took a personal interest in everything, so everything always went smooth for them. He was a smart one, always careful. But where are my manners! Please, eat! The townsfolk of Varna are known for their hospitality you know."
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:43, Sun 16 Aug 2015.

Eike takes a large breath in as the bowl of stew is placed in front of him, filling his nose with smell. He can't remember the last time he had a real home cooked meal like this. He thought to himself, there was a time... albeit a short time... where every meal was a home cooked meal. That was a long time ago and before the incident happened. Even with the difficult memories it brought back it put a smile on his face. The stew was delicious after all.

He looks up from his thoughts to Rosie, "This is delicious miss! Thank you for inviting us in." Eike then looks over to his companions, "I can hardly remember the last time we had a home cooked meal like this. Let alone one this tastey!"

After finishing his first bowl of stew he asks Rosie, "Who did you sell that old desk to and where do you think we might find it. It sounds interesting and I think we'd like to take a look at it. It seems like Manual was a liked guy and I'd like to find out what happened to him."

"Smells lovely, Miss Rosie. But im afraid i have a sensitive throat, so i need to wait a few moments until it cools off, i mean no offence of course, I just need to be careful with my vocal chords." he said with a chuckle as he spun his Lute around from his back and in his lap, subtly making sure all strings were in tune.

"As promised, for your time, information, and wonderful hospitality, I owe you a song I believe" Jehan, leaned toward the other two men, "You can sit and listen if you want, or I can catch up to you at the table should you choose to check it out, or the mine, either or. But for now," he said averting his gaze to the kind old woman across the table, "I have a lass to serenade."

Jehan began strumming in a soothing speed, with a general D-E-C-E progression, giving it a happier flair than that of his last sad song at the tavern, but no less meaningful. Hopefully, if Rosie was afraid of what she would say could cause her trouble, the words of the song could help loosen her lips,



The tone slowly built, and using his index finger between strums, he knocked the side of his lute to give the illusion of precision instruments behind him

"Hold on, you are still alive."

[Private to DM Ryan:
Jehan Roux rolled 10 using Performance, play for Rosie .]
This message was last edited by the player at 03:26, Mon 31 Aug 2015.

Zoltan took a seat and relaxed. He smiled at the soup and spoke his thanks to her. Picking up his spoon he was about to ask a follow up question, but after eating a spoonful of soup he forgot his question as the warmth radiated throughout his body.

"My, this soup is better than my late wife's," he praised after a few more hearty spoonfuls. "Must be the turnips, she had trouble growing good ones." He hurriedly down the rest of the bowl. With a deep sigh, Zoltan leaned back and closed his eyes for a short minute, listening to his friend's song and enjoying the warm feeling from the soup.

After Eike's question, he remembered why they were in the nice woman's house and sat back up with open eyes. "Aye, perhaps there are still some secrets hidden within that desk."

Rosie enthusiastically applauded the song, "Oh that was lovely! Not often I get to hear such nice things out here. Just lovely!" "Thank you, thank you," said Jehan as he basked in the praise. His companions enjoyed the tune as well. It was always nice having some entertainment with a meal. [Private to Zoltan Zanderhawk: Both the soup and music warmed the heart. Zoltan was glad for that, for a split moment ago he felt that familiar cold spot arising, a feeling he tried to ignore as best he could. Perhaps it wasn't healthy to ignore it, but he didn't care. Some things were too hard for him. He didn't have to be perfect...][Private to Eike: Both the soup and music warmed the heart. Eike was glad for that, for a split moment ago he felt that familiar cold spot arising, a feeling he tried to ignore as best he could. Perhaps it wasn't healthy to ignore it, but he didn't care. Some things were too hard for him. He didn't have to be perfect...]

As Jehan thoughtlessly plucked some tunes and rifts on his lute, he would take brief pauses for a spoonful of his own soup. Before long the adventurers finished and felt full and content. They unanimously complemented it. "Thank you dearies," Rosie replied. "It's just nice having company around. My old husband has been a soldier all his life. I only see him for a couple months or so outta the year, so I'm in this house by myself most the time. It might be less this year with the invasion and all. They say Vaterland has the north provinces right now and they're inching their way down. Not that I'm worried mind you. This has all happened before. It's almost tradition that we invade each other now, taking turns every so many years. Things always go back to the way they were in the end."

After some more casual chat, Eike then asked about where she sold the desk. Rosie answered, "Oh you want to see that thing? My, I wish I held onto it for another couple weeks – I could have sold it to you! I sold it to the General Store. They quite got a bargain for it too since I just wanted to get rid of it. I think Manual paid a lot for it cause it's one of those imported furnitures; he had an interest in things like that, which is odd around here. I guess being curious about the world around him is what made him so smart." When Rosie mentioned the General Store, a realization struck the adventurers, for, if they weren't mistaken, they saw that same desk no more than a couple hours ago! Excited at their discovery, they graciously thanked Rosie for the meal and her kindness once more and parted from the house. The could smell the spice-filled scent of her home fade away with every step from the front door.

Retracing their steps, they went back to the General Store in the Town Square. It looked the same as before, filled with furniture on one side and a number of mundane objects on the other; the old shopkeeper, his eye glazed with age, kept a listless watch over the shop. The adventuers went over to the furniture section. Zoltan noticed the stack of stools he had knocked over not long ago. He stepped very carefully around them this time.

In the last aisle were the desks and tables, crowded together in a long, not-very-spacious row. They squeezed through this toward the rear where they found the dark-colored, wooden desk. It was still there. Being the only desk of this color in the entire shop, it was no doubt the one Rosie had sold – the one which was previously owned by Manual Keirch. "Let's search it," said Jehan. They opened the various drawers and patted their hands along the interior. It was empty. Clearly Rosie had emptied it out before selling it. "Oh drat," said Eike. "All that for nothing." "Yea," Zoltan agreed. "Well, we might as well head on to the Iron Mineeee-oooo wait a minute!" Staring at a drawer that was still open, Zoltan reach inside... and pulled out a false bottom!

Lying in a secret space beneath the false bottom of the drawer, covered in dust and untouched after many years, was a book. The Journal of Manual Keirch.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:54, Wed 09 Sept 2015.