Heading through town, you are beset with villagers of all types asking for information about the Ustradi River, the guard with you yells on your behalf that the problem has been solved, and that the water will be safe to drink soon. You arrive at Zahir's home, a small one room house and place him down on his couch, one of the few things to adorn the structure. He groans with exhaustion, nearly instantly going to sleep.
Chief Chiurgeon Kriter DelMonte and one of his pupils, the green scaled kobold, Tekkel stagger in. Kriter's youthful halfling face looks years older, his normally wide and chestnut eyes hang with droopy with darkend rings, Tekkel's emerald scales now dull with an unhealthy copper sheen. He mumbles something indecipherable, you strain your ears as he repeats himself only slightly louder, "7 of the elderly. 1 healthy male, one of the builders a little too drunk fell off a home and broke his.neck. 2 children. 1 unborn, and then the mother in grief. Still 10 more that are dangerously sick. I heard you stopped the problem though?"
"That's good." The halfling says flatly. "We'll give it today and tomorrow to make sure it's run its course, test it to make sure the poison is gone and that the magic remains intact. I'm just going to rest for a moment before I head home." He speaks even as he starts walking towards the bed near the rear of the house, crawls in and passes out. Tekkel is already curled up beneath the couch, seemingly unperturbed by the dust.
In the passing days, Zahir is tended to by the healers as they are able, but mostly allowed to rest in silence. As the Ustradi River is purified, so too does Angel Falls begin to heal. 6 more perish due to the cholera, the healers unable to outpace the ravages of the disease. 18 dead is the final count, with nearly 2/5ths of livestock also perishing due to contaminated water. Hunters and trappers report significant losses of wildlife. The farms closest to the Ustradi are ravaged, their crops spoiled. Many of the nearby farms don't trust the quality of their crops, nobly choosing to instead destroy and burn their fields rather than risk tainted produce sickening their neighbors. The mages of Kas'MiEyla, as well as edaphology experts are called upon to inspect the soil on the outlying farms, and thankfully they determine all crops and soils to be safe. With summer coming to an end, all citizens seem to harbor barely concealed concerns about the hardships of a fast approaching winter.
Chief Chiurgeon Kriter DelMonte and his 4 pupils recover their health, and in the wake of the outbreak, have learned advanced healing skills and increased their magical knowledge. (Lvl 3 Alchemist Potions now for sale!)
One evening, after you all go in to check on Zahir, you sit around his bed plotting what next adventure you might seek out. A knock door interrupts your conversation. Opening the door, Captain Marsaw Edenhellth stands, a polite smile and next to him is Governor Morrissey. "Hello there, you must be the friends of Patroller Zahir. A pleasure to meet you, may I enter?" Welcoming them both in, you see the Captain's horse, a local legend named Majestic, a destrier clad in full plate barding waiting patiently, untethered. The horse is thought by many to have an intellect on par with that of a human, and be just as dangerous in combat as his rider.
"Patroller Ethion, you've done this town a great service, and saved many people at great personal risk. You've more than earned your stripes, and once you're back on your feet, we'll be awarding them to you in ceremony. I wanted to give you the good news personally though, and shake your hand." He grips your hand, more than firmly but not crushing in the strength of his grip. "You've got a bright future ahead of you, son. Keep up the good work."
"And all of you will also be awarded the Angel Falls Commendation of Heroism, the highest reward that can be given to citizens. This will mark only the 6th time it has been awarded in our town's history." Speaks Governor Morrissey. "I hope that you will wear it with pride, and always strive to uphold exemplary behavior."
On your subsequent visits to The Landlocked Sailor, you find yourself already rewarded with a new spot, this one actually close enough to the hearth to be able to feel the warm air that emanates from it. Claude Drunkfield apologies not being able to offer you free drinks though, as he went through all of his stock trying to help supply the town with ale to drink while the water was contaminated, and he is desperate to make up for the loss somehow. Never fear, his brewers are hard at work.
3 days after returning from the Ustradi River, the group is gathered at Zahir's couch to check on him. While discussing your groups next plan to try and make money, a loud knock is at the door. Opening it, you see Wallace the Willful standing there, several full wooden mugs in hand. "Friends, hello! I have heard that Zahir cannot come to The Sailor to drink, so I have brought the drink to him."
Wallace passes out the drinks to everyone, he begins to catch you up on his job helping with construction. The people he works with have begun to finally teach him how the trade of carpentry. He expresses that while he enjoys learning something constructive, a part of him misses the thrill of combat. He thinks that he may find other ways to put his skills as a roving warrior to use. Midway through the mugs, the door opens without a knock, and in strides Lady Persica, wearing a high boots of blue velvet, with a silvery dress, with a high slit to mid-thigh. The rest of the dress is revealing, almost scandalously so. (This is the one Ryu has been bragging about having made for her) She is caught off guard by Wallace, the two locking eyes momentarily in silence.
"Hello." She says, not breaking her imperious glare that she holds over the Barbarian.
"I am glad to hear that you were successful and survived your trip up the river. If the tales I heard are even half true, it sounds like you had quite the adventure. I am glad that you have all survived. I just thought you might like to know, that I have decided to take a job as a modiste at Miss Sinclaire's Gownry. The Goodsisters have found jobs around town to help earn our keep until we can figure out a way back to our province in Taldan. I...just wanted to express my gratitude at having helped us through our crisis. Lesser people would have taken advantage of the situation we four ladies were in, but you showed you were noble than that. Thank you. This will be remembered when I am able to aptly thank you." Lady Persica smoothes down her dress, her face rosy with embarrassment, clearly not use to thanking people for doing her service. Well, if you'll excuse me, I will take my leave." She gives a curtsy, glances nervously at Wallace one more time, and then sees herself out of the door.
"By Gorum's blood-drenched greatsword, that may be the first real woman I've seen since coming into this town." Wallace says, still staring at the door stupidly, mug now empty.
"Hello." She says, not breaking her imperious glare that she holds over the Barbarian.
"I am glad to hear that you were successful and survived your trip up the river. If the tales I heard are even half true, it sounds like you had quite the adventure. I am glad that you have all survived. I just thought you might like to know, that I have decided to take a job as a modiste at Miss Sinclaire's Gownry. The Goodsisters have found jobs around town to help earn our keep until we can figure out a way back to our province in Taldan. I...just wanted to express my gratitude at having helped us through our crisis. Lesser people would have taken advantage of the situation we four ladies were in, but you showed you were noble than that. Thank you. This will be remembered when I am able to aptly thank you." Lady Persica smoothes down her dress, her face rosy with embarrassment, clearly not use to thanking people for doing her service. Well, if you'll excuse me, I will take my leave." She gives a curtsy, glances nervously at Wallace one more time, and then sees herself out of the door.
"By Gorum's blood-drenched greatsword, that may be the first real woman I've seen since coming into this town." Wallace says, still staring at the door stupidly, mug now empty.
