Session 2 - Winters Coming Festival

As morning approached, Coada reported to Jenna that the two individuals responsible for the theft had been dealt with, and everything had been settled. The town was already alive with families gathering for the festival. Vendors had begun selling their goods, and music drifted through the small streets. The chilled air nipped at Coada as she explored the festivities, eventually steering her toward the warmth of the tavern, where she found Sethie and Sumayya settling in for their morning meal.

 Coada joined them at their table, and the three enjoyed a quiet breakfast while watching the bustle of the people. As Sethie discussed the festivities, Sumayya suddenly heard a familiar voice in her mind.

“If you haven’t had enough sense to leave yet,” Morland’s voice danced through her thoughts, “meet me behind the butcher shop promptly.”

Sumayya sighed and looked toward the group. “I’m going to get some fresh air. I’ll meet you later in the square?”

“Sounds good!” Sethie chimed, and Coada nodded. After Sumayya excused herself, the pair finished their meals and made their way to the town square to explore the festival.

Sumayya wandered casually through the square, perusing the vendors as she passed. Eventually, she found the butcher’s shop—a small building with a tight alley on its left side, leading to a small wooded area behind. Letting out another sigh, she thought, This may be a trap. She cautiously slipped into the alley, peering behind the building into the woods. There, Morland leaned casually against a tree, puffing on a small pipe. He greeted her with a friendly nod as she approached.

“Mornin’,” he began. “I see you got my message.”

“I did,” Sumayya replied, stepping slowly into the alley.

He paused for a moment, considering his next words. “Look, we’ve had a rather tumultuous relationship since we first met, but I think we both understand that business is business. Today, however, is different. This is personal for me. So, I’d appreciate it if you and your friends kept our familiarity private. Best not to start any fights in the center of a busy town.”

Sumayya contemplated his words. “That sounds like a fair agreement. No trouble from you, no trouble from us.”

He smiled again and tapped out the ashes of his pipe. “Glad we could come to an understanding,” he said, walking past her. “I hope you enjoy the festival.” He tipped his hat before slipping back into the crowd.

Sumayya paused for a moment, enjoying the quiet before returning to the bustling town. It didn’t take long to find Coada and Sethie, who had spent the morning enjoying the festival games and shopping. As she approached, Coada eagerly showed her the wooden animal carvings she had bought for the children, while Sethie offered up the sweets she had purchased.

Soon, the group found their way to a craft table where they helped Arabella and Rubee make straw festival dolls with the children. Coada and Sethie took to the project easily, assisting the children while chatting with Arabella and Rubee about the town. Sumayya watched quietly, fascinated by the pair’s ease with the children.

Sethie looked toward Sumayya and paused. “Have you ever made one before?” she asked with a smile.

Sumayya shook her head. “No, I haven’t.”

“Well, let me show you!” Sethie exclaimed as she slid closer, walking Sumayya through the steps of cutting and shaping the straw. As Sumayya worked, Coada joined her on the opposite side of Sethie, crafting her own doll.

As the three worked, Sethie saw Arabella jump with excitement and rush into the crowd. Curiosity pulled at Sethie, and she excused herself to follow. She watched as Arabella made her way briskly through the crowd and embraced Morland. “I didn’t know you were back from your travels!” she exclaimed. Sethie lingered for a moment, considering whether or not to engage with them, before returning to Coada and Sumayya.

As the day wore on, the group participated in axe throwing and arm wrestling, eventually making their way to the town center as the sun began to set. The entire town gathered around a large pyre as Tanson chanted blessings for the coming winter before lighting the fire. One by one, the children lined up to toss their dolls into the flames as an offering to the gods. As the moment of introspection waned, music filled the air and the town came alive with song and dance.

The night stretched on, with the large bonfire warding off the bitter air as townspeople celebrated their fruitful harvest. A surprise proposal from Morland to Arabella briefly paused the festivities, but her acceptance reignited the party’s energy. Dusk bled into night and then early morning as the three retired for a few hours of sleep.

The next morning greeted the party with a peaceful sleepiness. Coada joined Tanson in distributing the ashes of the bonfire to the surrounding farms for good luck in the coming season, while Sumayya and Sethie explored the town, visiting the small shops and bakeries lining the town center. The afternoon passed quietly, and the three retired to their rooms for a proper night of rest.

Rest, however, would not come easily. The party awoke to frantic yelling and movement outside the inn. Rushing outside, they were greeted by the sight of a house ablaze.

“Grab a bucket!” Jenna barked, running toward a well. Other villagers had already begun dousing the fire with whatever they could, hurling buckets of water and earth at the blaze. The three joined in, delivering buckets of water from the nearby well and retrieving empty ones to be refilled. As the townspeople gathered to help, they subdued the flames before the home was reduced to ash.

When the smoke cleared and the town began to disperse, Coada approached Jenna and Armont, who were investigating the remains.

“Perhaps we can aid in this investigation?” Coada asked. “Given my station, I believe it’s my duty to understand what happened and help prevent further loss.”

Jenna hesitated, looking to Armont, who nodded reassuringly. “All yours. I have other matters to attend to. Jenna will assist you, however.”

Jenna grimaced and sighed, raising her hand toward the blackened doorway. “After you, then.”

Coada nodded to Sethie and Sumayya, signaling them to enter. The two obliged, while Coada and Jenna began searching the kitchen and pantry. The smell of damp wood and ash coated every surface.

“Whose house is this?” Coada asked quietly.

Jenna stepped out from the pantry, giving Coada a long, suspicious stare. “Martin and Luella. They haven’t been seen since before the festival.”

Coada froze, recalling Martin’s involvement in the grain theft. “Oh,” she murmured, turning away and continuing to rummage through the kitchen. “I wonder why that may be. Maybe they left town?”

Coada continued digging through the cabinets, the silence in the room thickening. “It was two assailants,” Jenna muttered. She paused, then sharpened her tone. “I need to speak with someone.”

Coada turned to see Jenna storm out of the house, nearly crashing into Sumayya. Sumayya jumped back in surprise, then looked at Coada with mutual confusion.

“Sethie, did you find anything?” Sumayya called out, shaking off her initial surprise.

Silence echoed back. Sumayya looked at Coada with concern as Coada called out,  “Sethie?”

Still, there was no answer. The two rushed to the bedroom, where they found Sethie kneeling by the bed in a trance, her eyes fixed on the spiraling carvings that covered the walls.

“The Wasting...” Sumayya whispered, her heart sinking at the sight.

Coada ran to Sethie’s side, gently shaking her. “Are you okay?”

“What?” Sethie looked around, confused, before shaking her head. “Yeah, I just… I got a bit lost for a second there.” The three of them stared at the carvings in silence.

“People who are afflicted with the Wasting begin to have an urge to write at a certain point,” Sumayya said, trailing off as she looked down at her arms. “They’ll write however they can, even if it means carving into their own flesh.”

“What are they writing, though?” Sethie asked, turning to Sumayya. “This isn’t a language I’ve seen, and it’s such a twisted mess that it’s impossible to tell what belongs where.”

“No one knows for sure,” Sumayya replied, stepping closer to help Sethie to her feet. “It’s similar to the ancient language, but it’s so broken and contorted that it’s hard to decipher.”

Coada stood slowly, her gaze lingering on Sumayya. “You know a lot about this.”

Sumayya hesitated. “I lost someone to this… a long time ago.”

The three stood in silence for a long moment. Coada straightened herself and turned to face the door. “I should speak with Jenna about what we found and make sure the home is destroyed. This is no legacy to leave behind,” she said softly. “I’d welcome your company.”

Sumayya and Sethie exchanged a glance before following Coada into the quiet morning air.

When they entered the small government building, the familiar red-haired halfling woman greeted them.

“Oh, good morning!” she exclaimed. “How can I help you today?”

“We need to speak with the Alf as soon as possible,” Coada urged.

The young woman’s face tightened in restrained panic. “Well, he’s in an appointment right now. Perhaps you should come back later.”

“Please,” Coada continued, “this is extremely important. If Jenna is there, I’d like to speak with her too.”

“I really wouldn’t reco—”

“If there is an issue, I should be aware of it,” Coada hissed.

The woman sighed and lowered her head. “Go on back then, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Coada nodded and began to march toward the mayor’s office, with Sumayya and Sethie close behind.

“And if anyone asks, I tried to stop you!” the halfling woman called after them.

Coada paid her no mind, rounding the corner and pausing before the office door.

“I don’t care who sent her here. I don’t want that beast in my town!” The group heard Jenna arguing through the door. Coada’s anger flared, and she burst through the door. Jenna, Alf, and Armont all tensed.

“If you have an issue with me, you should address me directly,” Coada fumed. “What is this about?”

Jenna glared at her. “This is a private meeting. I would ask you to leave.”

Coada squared her shoulders and stood taller. “It is my understanding that my position supersedes yours, so no, I will not leave. Now…” She cast her hypnotic gaze into Jenna’s eyes. “What is this about?”

Jenna’s resolve weakened as Coada’s magic took hold. “If you are so eager to know, I’m still grappling with the fact that the church sent a war cleric to our town—one who is also a beast at that.” Jenna hesitated. “And in the few days that you’ve been here, two people have gone missing, and their house has burned down.”

Coada’s breath caught in her chest. “You think I had something to do with this? That I, what, killed them?”

Jenna glared. “I didn’t say so directly, but I wouldn’t put it past your nature.”

“That’s not even—” Sethie began to fume before Coada raised her hand to stop her.

“Look,” Coada sighed, gathering her anger. “I want to be here as much as you want me here, but I can’t change my orders.”

“But I can,” Armont affirmed. “I can send orders for a transfer back. I’ll handle the particulars, so everyone can be happy.”

Relief and defeat filled Coada’s heart as she spoke. “If you do this, could you wait a week before sending the notice? It would give me some extra travel time. I’ll leave tomorrow at dawn.”

Jenna glared at Armont, who paid her no mind, before nodding toward Coada and the Alf.

“If you’ll excuse me, I have some documents to prepare.” She said, passing through the back door.

Alf shrank in his chair, glancing nervously at Jenna and then at the party. Silence fell over the room.

“I should be going,” Coada acquiesced. “Alf, it’s been a pleasure.”

Coada turned, briefly forgetting her companions behind her, and paused when she saw them.

“I think I’ve spent enough time here as it is,” Sethie smiled. “Maybe we could travel together on the road back?”

Coada softened, nodding with an affirming smile.

“It’s time I leave too,” Sumayya added, nodding toward Coada.

Sethie grinned. “It’s settled then! Tomorrow morning, we’ll begin our journey home!”