Chapter 1: Hollows Last Hope

[Toryn Togglebit]

Toryn declined the offer of free drinks in favor of an extra large bowl of potato soup instead. After a round of introductions, he went to town on the soup with slightly concerning ferocity.

She waited until Larz returned, then rose from her seat at the chair. She was about to speak when she noticed Lucian and his new "friend" walk in and gestured for them to come closer. Taking a deep breath, she said, before we get all comfortable and start singing kumbaya together, there is something I gotta share. This way I know if I can stay or if I need to hit the road. I'm the scion of a vampire. Half alive and half undead, it's a hell of way to grow up. Lil' shit over there, gesturing to Toryn knows the whole story, but I need you all to understand, I'm not one of them, I don't go around hurting people unless they've unless they deserve an ass whooping. 

The gnome was nose-deep in the bowl, licking up every remnant of the soup when the sound of his nickname broke his concentration and snapped him back to the conversation at hand. He nodded sagely. Indeed. I believe the official term for her condition is "Dank Pear". Odd nomenclature but I'm not a vampologist. Speaking of which...

My great aunt Petunia used to own a wonderful little garden, and the strangest thing would happen. Sometimes she would find some of her vegetables completely drained of all color, with two tiny puncture marks on each of the victims. At first we thought some of the children were playing a prank of some sort, but it turns out some of her rabbits were stricken with vampirism. I suppose in hindsight the glowing red eyes and giant fangs should have been a giveaway but Aunt Petunia never had the best vision.

Anyways, the rabbits were put on a strict juice diet and the problem solved itself, though the occasional desiccated carrot would still show up.

[Dunndero]

"Ah Toryn I think we may have a drink that be to yer liking, it be made of fermented potato. Jak be calling it Vodka! Dunndero says as he offers a glass of clear strong smelling liquid.

[Satoru Hanzo]

Actually yeah, she replied to Lucian with a polite smile, I was getting to that. I'm not really on good terms with the divine. So positive energy hurts like a son of a bitch, her smile vanishing into a snarl, thanks mom, may you rot in the hells. So if I'm wounded, please, keep your healing spells away from me. 

“So what, exactly, are we to do with you?  Sorry for jumping in so late."

Lucian strolled over to the table and pulled out a chair for Orianna and Breezy before taking one himself. He listened to the bard say she was half vampire or something along those lines.  These things didn't really phase Lucian, he was a wizard after all. He had studied some fairly horrific and strange phenomenon, so this one wasn't much more shocking than any of that.  He looks over to Harley, "Do you have any weaknesses or special requirements we should know about?" 

"OH and everyone this is Breezy." He gestured to the little plant person beside him, "Breezy will be joining us on our mission, and we've picked up an additional task of locating Ironwood mushrooms for the herbalists. She needs them for making remedies for the sickness going around town."

“Yeah, and we’re also looking for a werewolf-type beast out in the Ironwood. Payden got a little too close for comfort before he finally started asking nicely. Nice to meet you Breezy, Toryn."

[Brilliant Breeze]

Breezy took a moment to get into the chair Lucian offered, eventually doing so, then happily began swinging it small legs like a child amusing itself. Breezy waved a greeting to the others, and it offered the drink it was brought to anyone else as it didn't require or enjoy alcohol. Turning to Jak it asked is a small voice that sounded like wind whispering through the leaves "Do you have any water?"

[Toryn Togglebit]

"Ah Toryn I think we may have a drink that be to yer liking, it be made of fermented potato. Jak be calling it Vodka! Dunndero says as he offers a glass of clear strong smelling liquid.

Toryn gave the vodka a good sniff before taking a mouthful. He swished the vodka around in his mouth a bit before swallowing. Exquisite. he remarked in appreciation. Potatoes are such fascinating vegetables. So robust! So versatile! And so very delicious.

[Larz Oathtaker]

Larz sits drinking his ale listening what the other members of this strangely assembled group have to say. As for meself as long as your not runnin around drinking peoples blood, I don't have a problem with ya being half vamp. I'll leave the judging to what ever God. you and your kin follow, I'm thankful for the warning about how not to treat you if you get wounded, and I'll be apologizing in advance for not be able to heal you ifin you get hurt. He to take a long pull from his tankard before continuing. 

As far what we learned at the temple goes, the priestess didn't know much about the monastery or what me Uncle would be doin out there. As for the Hunter well it seems he's gone missing to. Lady Gensar said Barlus went out huntin some big ass wolf, she's afraid he ran afoul with some wolfmen out in the Darkwood. Says there are several clans about, says they can be hurt but only silver will bring them down.  Once again the cleric pauses for a second this time he pulle the silver sword from his back then lays it on the table. So she gave us this blade incase we should run into them, for lookin into Barlus's disappearance while we are out and about;

[Lucian]

Lucian raises his drink to Toryn, "Good to meet you friend."  He takes a drink of his beer and gives his beard a scratch while he tries to recall if his studies ever went over anything about half-vampires or werewolves.  His mind did drift to the vodka as well, wondering if he had encountered that particular beverage before.

He looked over to Satoru and nodded, "Well - We'll add that to our list." Then he took note of the clerics task as well and shook his head before looking around the table, "It seems like there is a significant werewolf problem in the Darkmoon wood.  I guess the name sort of gives it away," He chuckled slightly, "We will definitely have to prepare for that."

(Knowledge Checks)

Society for knowledge about common alcoholic beverages, not how to make them, but just tastes, origin, and popularity: 1d20+7 = 15
Religion for any knowledge of Vampires and Dhampirs: 1d20+7 = 12
Nature for any information on Werewolves: 1d20+7 = 17

[Brilliant Breeze]

Breezy looks at the others so interesting and full of life. It seems to be studying them somewhat. It then gestures to Lucian and says, "Lucian got a map. Should we figure out where we are going seems we have a few stops now.  Where the dwarf went, where the Hag was, and where ever the wolf is. Correct?"

[Lucian]

Lucian nods to Breezy, he hadn't wanted to bring out the map just yet as people were still eating and drinking, but the table was probably not going to get any cleaner while they were using it. "Alrighty, Let's take a look."  
With that he pulls out the map and clears a good spot on the table, making sure it's safely away from anything that might stain, damage or spill on it.  He collects his quill and ink in order to accurately and neatly mark points of interest on the map if they do not currently exist. "We have a few tasks and places we will need to go to complete them.  Lets go ahead and mark those."

[DM Dread]

Lucien considers loos into his glass as he swirls the clear liquid and considers that most cultures learn that things when left to sit in certain mixes become capable of providing a semi toxic result that changes the mental capacity of those imbibing. In this case potatoes. but most fruits, vegetables and grains are used depending on what is most common in the area. as he sips the powerful alcohol he considers Dhampirs and their creator The Vampire. Its only logical that te mating of an undead and a living would create an offspring that would be similar to both. Undead are susceptible to positive energy so that makes sense that Harley would be injured by it and the reverse, that negative energy would probably heal her. 

Now with Werewolves in the Vale what should he be aware of. The curse of the werewolf—known as lycanthropy to many—instills in its carriers the hungry bloodlust and predatory instincts of the wolf. Werewolves tend to dwell on the fringes of society or in small settlements where, in their humanoid forms, they work as laborers, hunters, farmers, or trappers. At night, however, these same villagers transform into violent killers and sadistic stalkers who prey on their neighbors. Werewolves are the quintessential werecreature, and the first that comes to mind when most people speak of such beings. They are suspected to be injured by silver weapons and resistant to other forms of damage and able to transmute their heritage by a bite left to fester and not treated.