Noumenia

There's a track winding back to a little old city,

Along the road to Helsmuth,

Where the elf trees are growing, and the river is flowing,

Beneath the sunny sky.

Where my mother and father are waiting for me,

And the pals of my childhood once more I shall see,

And no more will I roam, when I'm heading straight for home,

Along the road to Helsmuth...

As Methris and Emilth waited by the city walls, they heard a voice singing a familiar tune, in Elvish. Sure enough, it was Lukwind, disguised as a female Elven merchant, and her trusty sidekick Hui-Jin. They were glad to hear that they wouldn't need to climb the wall and could go back to bed, since Em had managed to procure a gate permit.

The following day, everyone rose bright and early, broke camp and queued at the Sudgate. When they got inside the gates, they were surprised to find that the neighbourhood closest to the entrance was completely deserted. However, they had more pressing matters to attend to, so headed straight for the Panashina Tearoom.

Giella was already there, as her Band of the Red Feather had successfully scaled the walls the previous night. She poured tea for the adventurers, as they began a heated discussion over the division of the remainder of the spoils.Hui-Jin wanted to take his share of the money and leave, while everyone was pretty sure that Emilth's ring was worth a lot more than she was letting on.

A plan was forming: everyone who wished to remain in the party would donate 100gp from their share of the treasure into the group kitty. This money would be used to buy provisions for an overland journey (a mule cart, tents, trail rations, etc.). The adventurers intended follow the highway downriver for 100 miles or so to the village of Fernquay, and from there turn north and head into the countryside, towards the Atronan Estates. Martok's father has recently died, and he wished to return to his family home to settle his affairs. Elsa's family too has suffered recent tragedy, and so a visit Mielet Manor would not be out of the question. There was also the matter of returning the two warhorses that were lent to you by the Lords Braybrook. Summer is ending, and it will not be long before the leaves begin to change colour. The general consensus was that it would be better to commence this journey now, than to remain in the city whilst winter approaches....however, by the time this had been decided, all of the markets had ceased trading for the day.

The following day was a religious holiday for the festival of Noumenia, followed by the festival of Agathodaimon the day after. The day after that would be the festival of Athena, but the marketplaces would be open on that day in honour of her aspect as the god of weaving and metalwork. Everyone agreed to meet back at the Panashina Tearoom in a week (on the 7th of Böedromion rising), whether they had decided to join this journey or not. Garyn, Lukwind and Martok accepted the task of buying all of the provisions that would be required.

Martok, Lukwind and Garyn rented adjoining rooms at Granger's Rest in the Market Ward, then went out to enjoy the party. The following morning, they got into an argument with the inkeep about the bill, and decided to find other accomodations.

In the end, a sausage seller guides them to an Inn called the Fife & Drum. Satisfied, they pay in advance for 6 nights' lodgings as well as breakfast each morning.

Passing by the Norway, they spot a funeral procession. A large group of paladins were carrying a coffin to the cemetary, and Garyn was surprised to see Hui-Jin walking alongside them. He asked what had happened, and learned that the coffin contained the most powerful and respected paladin in the city of Helsmuth. He had died the previous night, while investigating the deaths of hundreds of peasants in the district of Sudgate. Every morning, dozens of corpses are found on the streets, of commoners who have clearly died of fright.

Deeply disturbed by this news, the trio head to the Sudgate to investigate for themselves. Sure enough, they find two men in brown robes, pulling a corpse cart through the deserted streets. They decide that they need to find Methris and ask him for the scroll that contains the spell Invisibility to Undead, so that they can return during the evening and hopefully discover what is causing all of these deaths.

However, Methris' news is not encouraging. The scroll contains a Cleric spell, which he is unable to cast. Even if he could, the spell would only affect a single individual, and it would only last for 10 minutes.

I was caught in the middle of a lightning attack

I looked round and I knew there was no turning back

My mind raced and I thought what could I do

And I knew there was no help, no help from you

Sound of the drums

Beatin' in my heart

The thunder of guns

Tore me apart

You've been ... thunderstruck