Witch-hunt
Prologue
The cold northern wind blown subtly, giving an uncomfotable feeling similar to one of being slowly submerged in chill water. A sign of incoming Autumn and it's torrential rains, a relieving yet at the same time menacing alternative to scorching Summer of this year. Nightfall, it was just after the sundown. There are no cities or villages along the Wolf's Road, the main trade route from Erdhen to Iseth. Luckily taverns provided shelter and good night's rest. A traveller rode hastily towards
The Witching Cauldron, a large and luxurious tavern located one day's travel from dreaded Darkbog forest. He left his horse in stables, and entered the inn. It was a handsome young man with golden hair and eyes, a bit taller than most folk seen in Iseth. He looked around the spacious room that was gently lit with lanterns and candles, trying to spot any empty tables. Most of them were occupied by other wanderers and merchants from all around Tenath - they may be keen on selling something in the morning.
Then he had spotted an empty table where someone left a set of strange armour, and after paying a silver coin for his stay (without taking back the change) moved to it. The young man took a seat on a chair and the armour started moving! The traveller was completely frightened of awakening a magical construct, but then he noticed dark blue eyes visible through helmet's eyeholes. It was a lone warrior, a hulking brute wearing a full set of strange rock-like armour tied around with chains. The young man introduced himself, Asher Argent was his name, and he was a doctor and the son of Heights Keep duke. The armoured brute remained completely silent and only looked at Asher. He quickly realised that the man is mute, and looked around the room for something that he could write with.
Asher noticed a woman scribbling something in her notebook. She had red hair and exceptionally pale skin. Her clothing and the way she held a pen in her hand suggested that she was a scholarly person. The doctor approached her, introduced himself and asked for a sheet from her notebook and for a pen. Silvia Auric, as this was the woman's name, noticed Asher's necklace and that there was something unusual about it. She agreed to give him what he asked for, but in return he'd have to tell her about his golden necklace.
As the two left the table and moved towards the armoured man, Asher felt that his pocket became somewhat lighter. He ignored the sensation and moved on, but then someone yelled to stop, ran up to a middle-aged, dark skinned woman in ragged and ill-matched clothing and dragged her back to Asher. The man quickly divulged her name - she was known as Zamira Drakashka, and she was a sword for hire. The woman explained that she only wanted to check whether she still has the rogue-ish knack for thievery and wanted to return Asher the money later. Silvia suggested that the man should be rewarded, but he refused to take anything and wanted to spend the evening with them in turn. His name was Alvin Heksal and he was a hunter and woodsman living on the outskirts of local swamp. Seeing that Asher and Silvia attract so much attention, Zamira asked if she could stay with them as well, because she felt that things may get even more interesting. They agreed, and then they all moved on.
When they all finally sat by the armoured man, a great ruckus ensued upstairs! Turning back, they were able to see a crocodile smashing through doors of one of the rooms and jauntily flop down the stairs! A scarred man in commoner's garb, with light brown skin and peg foot sloppily followed downstairs and chased the reptile around the room for a while, shouting it's name! He finally caught Denise - the crocodile, but the tavern keeper screamed furiously that he should pay for damaged doors and leave his inn. A blonde priest that was sitting with a very young, attractive and muscular woman was laughing in tears. He insisted that the man and his crocodile should stay inside. The tavern keeper agreed, on condition that he'd keep an eye on his pet. However, Denise ran up to the group sitting with armoured man and tried to jump on his lap! The man ran up to them, apologised and wanted to take his crocodile back to their room, but Denise was stubborn. It seemed that he would have to spend the evening with them. He introduced himself as Shedden, the crocodile doctor living in outer Darkbog forest.
Asher could finally take a sheet of paper and pen from Silvia, then handed them to the armoured man. However, not only he couldn't write or read, but it seemed that he wasn't listening to them at all! Then it striked Asher that the man was not only mute, but also deaf and illiterate! Looking at his armour, Silvia suggested that they should call him
Ferro.
And so they were drinking, talking and laughing, until someone took out a short poem which mentioned the Darkbog Witch, written by an unknown traveller:
And Lo! I saw a fair lady,
Mustn't bow, she took me to a grove shady.
To a forest far away, stricken with murderous night,
Where darkness obscures the way, in the air a poisonous blight.
To a dread wilderness, filled with terrifying disgust,
A venture into nothingness, where no man can last.
But to follow afraid not, by her hand I was led,
Until my flesh rot, and I was dead.
After reading which, the decided to discuss the myths.
GM Notes
So Dark... when do you think we'll start?
How about now?
TLDR;
You can now speak IC about the witch, or talk with waitlisters (that were mentioned very briefly). You can make up a lot of details, since those would be just myths.
