It was a particularly harsh winter that year, and by the second week the group had arrived, the landscape surrounding the small town was covered in a thick blanket of snow. The unusual circumstances were not lost on the townsfolk, and there was grumbling in the town of a fell voice on the wind.
Even with the omens, though, it wasn't until the arrival of wolves on the outskirts of town that the fear truly began to spread. These particular wolves were a breed known only to stalk the extreme northern reaches of Ferune, beyond even the great mountain range known as the Spine of the World. They were Dire Wolves, and their presence in these lands was very unusual. It was gradual at first, with initial reports speaking only of looming shadows out in the flurries at the edge of town, but when livestock began to go missing and one of the farmhouses was attacked by the fell creatures, Captain Hallwinter was finally forced to call a town meeting to address the problem.
Panic and alarm ran through the ranks of the superstitious townsfolk, and the meeting confirmed their suppositions and escalated the tension. Carric and Morrah were also present at this meeting, and together, the unwieldy group of rural folk and seasoned travelers bantered on about the nature and cause of the events.
The discussion went nowhere, though, and it wasn't until the intervention of a mysterious bystander that any clarity was offered. The figure was crouched low in the corner of the room and appeared to be hunched over from the onset of old age, but when he revealed himself from behind his hooded cloak and stood to his full height, he was seen truthfully to be a dragonborn shrouded under the trappings of an old beggar.
The townsfolk were taken aback, many having never seen one of the exotic creatures before. A hush fell over the room as the gathered group waited with anticipation for the figure's next words.
"I am Nizèl, a traveling priest and devout follower of Amaunator," the dragonborn said. "I have dwelled here for some time and have sought little attention until now, but I can remain silent no longer." He took a glance around the room to see if he had the crowd's sufficient attention before continuing. "For you see, we are all in grave danger. My patron has declared it to me, and I believe it is my duty to reveal what is hidden here."
There were a few muffled murmurs and gasps from around the room, but Nizèl pressed onward. "The fell voice that you speak of is no mere illusion. I fear that there is indeed some being that has honed in on the town from beyond the earthly realms. Amaunator has felt the disturbance with the early passing of Autumn and has warned me of the evil machinations that close in around me. Who is perpetrating these events is unknown to me, but one thing is clear. They are after something..." He paused, admittedly enjoying the commotion he was causing a bit.
"They are after the very adventurers that lodge with you now. The two elf-kin and perhaps that human that came with them have something or know something that has attracted this attention. I fear that this town will not see relief from this unseasonal weather and the beasts that stalk its borders until the perused have left Triboar." With the final word spoken, the crowd began to mumble and shift uncomfortably, the people clearly disturbed by the revelation. Hallwinter had a pass, it seemed, being a native of Triboar who, the townsfolk deemed, had simply been swept up in it all, but many began to eye the other two adventurers wearily. After a few moments had passed, someone called, "Well, let's be done with them then!" There was then a flurry of commotion, with others dissenting and an argument breaking out between several of the townsfolk.
At this last outburst, the half-elf could stand silent no longer. " And who are you to level such accusations against us dragon-kin!?" She said, emphasizing the word in retaliation. Morrah Moonshadow, last heir to the House of Moonshadow, was especially sensitive to situations such as this one, to matters that called her own reputation and standing into question.
She spoke on behalf of both herself and Carric, which was perfectly fine with the wizard, who hung back, watching the events unfold. "Since we have come to this town, we have done nothing but aid you people, and now you threaten to throw us out right as the winter winds are at their most deadly? To leave the town now would be suicide; surely you and this shady character both know this." The proclamation was met with resounding approval from many within the town, especially the handful of families who had had their children returned to them after the adventurer's foray with the Nothic.
"These folks have done nothing but aid our town," one of the young mothers proclaimed. "If it weren't for them, my son may never have returned to me."
"We owe them as much to ride out this storm together," another said, adding to the sentiment.
This last round of disagreement added more fuel to the fire, and before long, things had become even more heated. Finally, Hallwinter had to step in or risk the whole affair breaking out into a brawl. "I know your tensions are high, but we need to come together and think of solutions, not continue to draw lines in the sand," he explained, padding his hands in the air and trying to gain a measure of control over the crowd.
"I may have just that solution," Nizèl cut in a moment later. Eyes both curious and accusing rested on the dragonborn once more, and he explained his plan to them.
Far in the back of the room, Carric leaned against a wall, trying to stay as inconspicuous as possible, apparently far less eager to weigh in on the discourse. That isn't to say the wizard wasn't invested in the conversation. He weighed the words carefully, and if any had been paying attention to the elf, which might have been the case if his companion had not just caused such a commotion, they may have surmised that the wizard looked perturbed, perhaps even a bit unnerved by Nizèl's comments.
