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He heads back to the Inn just as the evening is beginning. In the room is Estaish. Aleigha is apparently upstairs napping in their suite. There is a guy who looks very much like a professional soldier. As myrmidon himself, Alzar can always tell a solider from a commoner who knows how to use a weapon. The fighter is sitting by himself looking into the fire. There is also a merchant looking guy currently at the bar, but something seems a bit odd about the guy. A few mercenaries with lodging in the tower are here at a table, laughing about how a year ago, some guy did such and such and oh how that was funny. Coming down the stairs now are a fighter who is totally wearing a sword, and a robed guy, looks like a cleric.
The good wife Gundigoot is welcoming people now. Alzar and Estaish are at a table near the middle of the room and grabbed a chair for Aleigha when she wants to join them. The merchant looking character at the bar sees Alzar seating, and decides to come over. He asks for the seat, and then sits down without an answer. He introduces himself as Spugnoir, a trader and merchant travelling through. After a short introduction and conversation about the weather, Spugnoir asks Alzar if they plan on going there.
Going where?
A lot of strangers decide to visit the ruins of the Temple of Elemental Evil. But it’s not the temple itself, oh no. They had many towers and bases outside the temple. The Temple itself was destroyed and sealed against entrance. But there are others out there. Like the Moathouse. It’s just a mile away from the village and they say it’s becoming lively again, if you know what I mean. Most people who come here looking like you are going out that way.
Look like me?
A fighter still wearing chainmail and a mage? Oh yes.
Alzar turns to Estaish, Why are you still wearing it? “You never know when you need it.”
Alzar turns back to Spugnoir. Spugnoir tells him the story of how Hommlet was a peaceful town with goodly and kind folk, but then the Temple was built about 6 miles to the east and everything changed. For miles and miles around, crops withered, evil grew, and more. Then the Baron of Castle Amber sent an expeditionary force here and fought the evil troops in a battle, razed the temple, and sealed the ruins magically. This was about ten years or so. Then adventurers came here a lot and cleaned out the lingering evil in the area, and they stopped coming about five years ago, but since there, something more has risen at the Moathouse.
How do you know this?
I’ve been here for three days, and learning the local history is easy, they talk about it a lot once they start drinking. Anyway, are you going there?
Alzar looks at Estaish who shrugs his soldiers. Maybe, Alzar replies. Maybe. Spugnoir offers them luck, and offers to sell them some supplies. Alzar tells him no thanks.
Alzar orders more of the crayfish, Estaish grabs mutton and Aleigha joins them for goose. As they do, a few locals join the tavern for company and drink, having already eaten dinner. Burne and Rufus also arrive, and Burne nods at Alzar before heading to the bar.
After a half hour, with full bellies, Burne comes up, introduces himself to Aleigha and Estaish, and then says he heard Alzar will be heading out to the Moathouse tomorrow.
Alzar smiles, Is that what you heard?
That’s what they are saying, so good luck. Burne returns to Rufus.
As the night continues, the trio check on the horses and wagons, and then move to their suite.
(Unbeknowingst, their actions have been reported to the following people – the agents of the Temple, the druid, the priest of Bathala, the local lord thirty miles away in his keep, and the town elder).
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