Celeste d'Abo

[DM Hellequin]

Part I: Arrival


As the ship eases alongside the dock in Orlbar, a young lady pulls back the cowl of her traveling cloak and looks out upon the village. A slight smile tugs at the corner of her mouth while she thinks of what lies beyond those sleepy hamlet walls. Leaning on the rail of the ship as the crew ties the vessel off, she barely hears the captain call out, "all ashore who's going ashore!".

She snaps herself out of the daydream and walks gingerly down the creaky gangplank. Feet firmly planted on soil once again, she makes her way into the village. The sudden clanging of metal against an anvil to her left perks her slightly-pointed ears up. The smelting ore wrinkles her nose, so she picks up her pace and quickly walks by the smith's shop.

A fair-haired boy runs by with wooden sword in hand chasing a large flying beetle. The young lady chuckles, thinking back on her own childhood running through city streets with nary a care, but with a sense of high adventure. What her father would do if he knew where she was-

Suddenly from around the corner of a cottage steps a halberd-bearing town guard almost bumping into the daydreaming girl. He nods and mumbles a quick "good day to you". She gives an innocent smile in return and asks if there is an Inn or Boarding House in the village. The man gives her a stern look and replies, "for a night's rest, you can find room on the floor of the Chapel", as he points over his right shoulder near the waterfront. "Just follow the sheep smell... can't miss it". He then takes his leave making his way around the path through Orlbar.

Watching him walk away she replies under her breath, "hmph, I wonder what threat there is way out here that requires an armed and armored guard to wander the paths in broad daylight?". She stands there for a long moment contemplating her own question as he walks - nay, practically marches - out of site. She then looks to her right noticing a barred gate along the thick wooden wall.

Raising a brow and looking around, she tests the air. *snif*snif*... noticing a barn to her left she reluctantly decides, "yep - that way"

...

[DM Hellequin]

Part 2A: Orlbar

Celeste awakes the next morning and prepares to explore the hamlet of Orlbar. Determined to obtain information about her main goal, she sets out to meet townsfolk and get the lay of the land. She stops by the blacksmith first to check on having her rapier sharpened. While there she asks him if he has any news regarding the town in general. He grumbles and mumbles incoherently about 'gossips' and such, making her feel much like the stranger in town. So she stays herself until he finishes sharpening the blade, then hands him a few silver coins and makes her way deeper into the hamlet.

The first couple of villagers she meets were lacking of much information - the first being a man who'd apparently never laid eyes on a woman outside of the walls of this goatherding community. He stutters and stammers his way through a short conversation which only leads the young half-elf to believe he is quite daft. The next person she meets is in fact a female who was too preoccupied with her daily chores to give Celeste much more than an unapproving glance.

The next person she meets is the first person she met the evening before - the town guard. Had he been marching around town all night? she thinks to herself. Motioning to him, she introduces herself and asks if he has a moment to spare. He stops and peers around, "I am Mord. What can I do for you?"

Celeste then explains she is an explorer from the east and wishes to know more about the area around Orlbar.

Raising a suspicious eyebrow, Mord claims he has no time for idle chatter and mentions he is having to keep watch for a cleric from nearby Loudwater to arrive in Orlbar to investigate a condemned house. He points down the path to a house with boarded up windows and a signed on the door.

Curious, Celeste asks the guard why a cleric is needed to investigate a condemned house. Mord then explains that the house is infested with some rather strange vermin... undead rats that seem to keep returning no matter how many times they are destroyed.

The half-elf lass looks from Mord to the house and back to Mord again. A smile tugs at the corner of her mouth as she asks, "would it be possible to allow me to have a look at this infested house?"

At first Mord almost scoffs at the idea. But then he notices a determined look in the eye of this half-elven girl. He also notices a rapier belted at her waist. "Can you use that weapon effectively, lass?"

She nods, "and I have other skills as well."

He looks at the morning sky then back to Celeste. "you'll need this key. If you run into trouble, flee the house and lock the door behind you. The cleric from Loudwater is due on the boat at noon. So no matter what, be out of the house by that time."

She takes the key in her gloved hand. "and if I determine what it is that keeps these undead vermin from staying dead...?" she asks with a glint in her eye.

"The Mayor has offered a reward in gold." he responds. "Find me once you leave the house and bring any evidence directly to me, along with the key."

She winks at Mord as she starts up the path toward the condemned house.

...