Chilling Discoveries at the Inn

After ten days of uneventful travel west from the port city of Vichey, the party arrived at the edge of the Cradlewood Forest, where winter's grip turned harsh. Hired by Thea Margos, a lizardfolk merchant, they served as guards on her journey to Monte-de-Amour, riding on a large wooden wagon drawn by a draft horse named Tubber. Thea drove the wagon, protective of a large locked oaken chest in the back, while Brother Maynard Lasalle, a cleric, accompanied her, the scent of sour wine lingering in the air. As they ventured deeper into the forest, the sparse trees transformed into a dense tangle of ancient growth, and by dusk, two feet of snow had gathered. Recognizing the worsening weather, Thea steered the wagon toward The Eagle and Child Inn, a bastion of warmth rising from the forest, its golden lamplight and thick plumes of smoke inviting them in from the cold.

As the party settled into the warmth of The Eagle and Child Inn after their long journey, YukonYukonYukon has ranged the cloud-skies longer than most crew members have been alive. He is self-reliant, quietly amused by nearly everything, an… Cornelius approached a robed elder named GandalarGandalarA piper bard who posed as a kindly elder wizard at The Eagle and Child, then murdered Brother Maynard and robbed the party before being tra… of the Nine Towers. The elder spoke in a voice that resonated like distant thunder, sharing tales of green dragons and ancient relics. YukonYukonYukon has ranged the cloud-skies longer than most crew members have been alive. He is self-reliant, quietly amused by nearly everything, an… listened intently, captivated by the lore. GandalarGandalarA piper bard who posed as a kindly elder wizard at The Eagle and Child, then murdered Brother Maynard and robbed the party before being tra… then inquired about YukonYukonYukon has ranged the cloud-skies longer than most crew members have been alive. He is self-reliant, quietly amused by nearly everything, an…’s companions, his gaze flickering with curiosity as he learned of their diverse backgrounds and skills. The conversation continued, punctuated by the crackling of the hearth and the savory scents wafting through the inn.

As the wagon pulled up to The Eagle and Child Inn, Thea directed her companions to carry her special carpet and the locked chest to their room. She offered to cover their lodging and meals, though drinks were not included. Turning to Brother Maynard, she instructed him to take Tubber and the wagon to the adjoining stable. The party approached the inn's large oak door, where they encountered a blindfolded goblin begging for coins. HessHessHess has spent most of his very long life in libraries. The Zephyr's Oath is the first interesting thing to happen to him in decades, and h… and the others tossed him a few coins before stepping inside, welcomed by the warmth and lively atmosphere of the inn's common room.

As the adventurers stepped into The Eagle and Child Inn, they were enveloped by a wall of warmth, the common room alive with the crackling of the hearth and the savory scents of roasting meat and spiced wine. Laughter and the clinking of mugs filled the air, while a bard played a haunting tune on a pan flute. The barmaid, a large minotaur, moved gracefully through the crowd, and city guards chatted at the bar. The adventurers carried with them a locked chest, a reminder of the darkness they had just faced.

As the adventurers Cal OsbourneOsbourneOsbourne left his forest home after a vision told him the sky needed tending. He is quiet, unhurried, and usually right about the weather —… and YukonYukonYukon has ranged the cloud-skies longer than most crew members have been alive. He is self-reliant, quietly amused by nearly everything, an… entered the inn, they were greeted by Klaus Goodbarrel, the inn’s brewer, who welcomed them with a high-pitched voice and a red-cheeked smile. Klaus explained the layout of the inn, mentioning that food and drinks were available downstairs while rooms awaited them above. Just as he was about to offer samples of his homebrewed beer, his wife, Cynthia GoodbarrelCynthia GoodbarrelThe deep gnome proprietor of The Eagle and Child Inn, secretly a sorceress and Resistance member who nearly turned her wrath on the party o…, burst from the kitchen and rushed into Thea’s arms, her braided white mohawk bouncing as she greeted each party member by name. The inn was filled with the savory aroma of roasting meat and the sounds of laughter and clinking mugs. Upstairs, they found their quarters, a simple room with four modest beds and a window overlooking the snow-covered backyard. Cal immediately claimed one of the beds, and YukonYukonYukon has ranged the cloud-skies longer than most crew members have been alive. He is self-reliant, quietly amused by nearly everything, an… stowed his shortsword away.

As the adventurers settled into their simple room at the inn, strange chanting echoed from the neighboring room, its words lost amid the bustling bar below. Cal OsbourneOsbourneOsbourne left his forest home after a vision told him the sky needed tending. He is quiet, unhurried, and usually right about the weather —… suggested that the sounds might be other guests engaged in activities. Meanwhile, unsettling coughing and groaning came from a room near the front, adding to the peculiar atmosphere. Thea and her companions exchanged glances, intrigued by the odd noises that surrounded them, while Cal proposed tying a sock to their door to imply their own activities.

HessHessHess has spent most of his very long life in libraries. The Zephyr's Oath is the first interesting thing to happen to him in decades, and h… approached the bar and ordered four Goodbarrel Porters. Klaus poured three, but the fourth keg ran dry. He turned to Charlie, the barhand, and asked him to fetch a new keg, but Charlie refused and fled to the kitchen. Left without his preferred drink, HessHessHess has spent most of his very long life in libraries. The Zephyr's Oath is the first interesting thing to happen to him in decades, and h… settled for a Kolsch instead, marking his drink with a bark-and-slate coaster. The atmosphere in the common room buzzed with conversation as HessHessHess has spent most of his very long life in libraries. The Zephyr's Oath is the first interesting thing to happen to him in decades, and h… surveyed the scene, but the sudden flight of Charlie created a momentary gap in the bar's rhythm.

Charlie warned Calcorius Drommens about the return of the bashed rats, which had come back to life. He agreed to lead Calcorius, HessHessHess has spent most of his very long life in libraries. The Zephyr's Oath is the first interesting thing to happen to him in decades, and h…, YukonYukonYukon has ranged the cloud-skies longer than most crew members have been alive. He is self-reliant, quietly amused by nearly everything, an…, and OsbourneOsbourneOsbourne left his forest home after a vision told him the sky needed tending. He is quiet, unhurried, and usually right about the weather —… to the basement. The chill of the cellar enveloped them as they descended, the air thick with the mingled scents of mold and something sweetly unsettling. Suddenly, three Undead RatsUndead RatsThe Undead Rats have mangled bodies and are filled with unnatural life. They surged from the shadows in the cellar and attacked Yukon Corne… emerged from the shadows, their mangled bodies animated by a dark force. YukonYukonYukon has ranged the cloud-skies longer than most crew members have been alive. He is self-reliant, quietly amused by nearly everything, an… fell unconscious after one of the rats bit him, while OsbourneOsbourneOsbourne left his forest home after a vision told him the sky needed tending. He is quiet, unhurried, and usually right about the weather —… ensnared the others with thorny vines, leaving the party to confront the grim reality of what lurked beneath the Eagle and Child.

As YukonYukonYukon has ranged the cloud-skies longer than most crew members have been alive. He is self-reliant, quietly amused by nearly everything, an… Cornelius regained consciousness, he appeared pale and shivering, a wave of nausea washing over him. His skin burned with an unnatural fever, indicating that something foul had taken root within him after the encounter with the Undead RatsUndead RatsThe Undead Rats have mangled bodies and are filled with unnatural life. They surged from the shadows in the cellar and attacked Yukon Corne…. The warmth and laughter from the kitchen above felt distant, overshadowed by the oppressive chill of the basement. Dark energy had been unleashed beneath the Eagle and Child, and the night continued.