CH 1: This Place Sucks

[HorizonsDream]

Echo coughs a bit and steps out of the way of his smoking pipe. "That still doesn't explain why the priests just gave up. That doesn't sound like Gonto priests as far as I know."

[JadedDM]

The old gnome shrugs. "It was a long time ago. Things were different then. Village of Amere isn't as important as it used to be. Nobody cares anymore."

[HorizonsDream]

"How does this village survive then, if no one cares?" Echo asks.

[JadedDM]

"We make do," the gnome says. "The gods and the nobles don't care, but we surely do."

[HorizonsDream]

"Hmm, well thanks for the information," Echo says before she turns to head back to her little group.

[JadedDM]

Gimog, Hollidan and Echo meet up again by the fireplace. "Find out anything?" the paladin asks.

[HorizonsDream]

"There use to be a temple here, but it was abandoned a long time ago when a dragon attacked it," Echo says.

[JadedDM]

"And this is the only inn in town," Gimog adds.

Hollidan frowns. "Yeah, I figured as much. They have a few rooms available, but obviously nowhere near enough to accommodate even a quarter of our numbers. Unless anyone else has any bright ideas, we should probably head back and report to the Pharise."

[HorizonsDream]

"He isn't going to be happy about it," Echo says. Though, really, she seems pretty amused at the idea. "Where did the people stay when they were in Rotwein?" she asks.

[JadedDM]

"We were all split up between the two inns and the temple," Hollidan says. Placing his hood back up, he heads to the door. "Come on, let's get back before they get too wet out there."

[HorizonsDream]

Echo nods as she pulls her hood back on, and walks outside with the rest of the group.

[JadedDM]

Once the three are outside, they untie their horses and remount, before setting off for the pilgrims. Once they arrive, Hollidan explains the situation to the Pharise.

"I see," he says. "Take this, then," he says, handing the paladin a pouch that jingles with coin. "Rent out rooms for the oldest, those with children, and the ones most in need of comfort. The rest of us will make camp here, outside of the village."

[HorizonsDream]

Echo dismounts from her horse, and prepares to make her own little spot to sleep. She seems a little surprised that the Pharise himself didn't ask for a room. ~He has gained a bit of respect,~ she thinks to herself.

[JadedDM]

"Want to share my tent?" asks a voice behind her. Turning, Echo finds herself face-to-face with a young elf. By human standards, he couldn't be older than seventeen, at the latest. His skin was a dark brown, but his eyes were a startling blue. He smiles with a dreamy, far-off look to him. "There's plenty of room, and you won't get soaked by the rain. Oh, and I'm Nuvain, by the way. I'm an acolyte of Gonto."

[HorizonsDream]

Echo looks over the elf, lingering on his eyes for a moment before she answers his question. She looks a tad surprised that someone even offered to let her stay in someone's tent. "There seems to be quite a few different type of people on this pilgrimage," she says. "Anyway, sure. Anything is better than sleeping in the rain," she admits.