The town of Phandalin is a mess. People of all kinds are everywhere, most are yelling, some are holding signs in various languages, while others are throwing things at a castle gate. Over the general cacophony of noise, a few voices can be heard. They are screaming things such as:
"That's 37 people now!"
"If you were actually a king you would have done something!"
"You don't care about anything but your wealth!"
Needless to say, everything has devolved into chaos. Well, everything but a group of 4 that have just entered the town. This rather strange group consists of a grey-black skinned teifling with purple hair, yellow eyes, and horns protruding from his head. He is wearing black leather armor with a dagger at his belt and a sickle strapped to his back.
The next party member is an orc with black hair, green skin, brown eyes, just absolutely covered weapons. 2 axes are on her back, 3 daggers on her belt, a throwing knife in her hair, and a greatsword at her side.
There is also an elf with coppery skin, auburn hair and blue eyes. They are wearing padded armor. At their waist they have a sheathed scimiter that upon entering the town, they grip the hilt of rather tightly as they mutter something aloud. On their back they also have a shortsword and a longbow.
The last member of the party is a gnome with blond hair and green eyes. They are holding a staff and wearing a blue robe. Around her waist is a satchel that appears to be full of potions and scrolls and other magic related items.
As they approach the crowd, the teifling turns toward the other 3 and in a quiet but stern voice says,
"We don't need to be here. We should leave before things get anymore out of hand."
"Oh lighten up Valentine, it's just a bunch of protesters! We have nothing to do with them, and they have nothing to do with us." The orc replies.
"No, he has a point. I don't want to be here when things turn...less peaceful." The gnome adds.
"Oh come on you 2, we need a place to stay for the night, food to eat, and some actual entertainment that isn't knife throwing!"
Valentine looks to the elf, and then glances down at the scimiter with slight dissaproval.
"It looks like it's up to you 2 then Rylis."
The elf looks to the blade, and then after a moment of careful consideration, replies.
"We agree with Shay. We need food and a good nights rest, and if need be, we can leave at first light."
The orc jumps up, pumping a fist in the air, yelling,
"HA! THAT'S 3 AGAINST 2! THAT MEANS FOOD AND REST!"
This attracts the attention of several people on the outskirts of the protest, but a quick scowl from Valentine gets them to ignore the party.
"Alright, if we're going to stay here, we'll need to find an inn. Erin, take Shay and search the west side, Rylis and I will take the east side. We will meet back here in 15 minutes"
Erin nods with approval and looks to Shay as they begin to walk around the protesters to get to some buildings on the west side. The orc casts a a suspicous glance at Valentine and Rylis.
"You love birds better not do anything but search for the inn."
Rylis shoots her a grin, while Valentine silently glares.
"Don't worry, Midnight will be here to moniter us."
Shay seems satisfied with this answer, and begins to follow after the gnome. Meanwhile, Valentine turns to give Rylis a slightly horrified look.
"Love birds?"
"I know you're not into labels or being all lovey-dovey, but I figured they had a right to know, so I sorta kinda said that you were now my boyfriend."
"You told them?! I thought she was just teasing!"
"Relax, they're both happy for us, and Midnight is ecstatic."
"Oh joy, the sword is happy."
"You know very well that Midnight isn't a sword, and that they hate that."
Valentine sighs and begins to head toward some buildings on the eastern side of town.
"Come on, you wanted an inn, so lets find an inn."
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"So, did you love birds find anything, because we sure as hell didn't."
The 15 minutes had come and gone and the party had reconveined back at the entrance of town.
"Yeah, we found a place called ''The Goblin's Left Elbow''. We took a look inside and it seemed decent enough in terms of comfort and edible food, but as Val so aptly put it, It would be safer to sleep in a dragon's den. You would not believe some of the characters we saw in there. Some one was literally armed to the teeth! They had knives! For teeth!"
Shay thoughtfuly taps her teeth at this and mumbles something about how much that might cost.
"Other than that, we found a few shops, but nowhere else that had a place to stay."
"Well, it's too late to try and find another town, but we could head back to that clearing we saw just outside of town and set up camp there." Erin replied. "It had plenty of room for all of us."
"That still doesn't solve our food probl-"
Rylis is interrupted by a crying human girl that bumps into him. She falls to her knees and begins to sob even harder then before. She appears to be no older than 9 and is alone. She has green eyes, brown hair and is wearing clothes that are just a few steps up from rags.
Valentine rushes over to her side and crouchs down to her level. He gently puts a hand on her shoulder and begins speaking in a soft tone.
"Hey, calm down. It's alright. Just, take a deep breath and try to relax."
Her breath begins to slow, and she begins to stop crying. She looks up into his eyes, and then hugs him. Valentine returns the hug and strokes her hair.
"Ok, are you feeling better? Can you tell me whats wrong?"
The girl ends the embrace and nods her head.
"My brother is one of the taken. I've been trying to find him, but I can't get anyone to help me."
She begins to tear up and Valentine hugs her again.
"Hey it's alright. Remember, deep breaths. When you've calmed down, can you tell me your name?"
Valentine glances up at Rylis, and then back down at the child. He mouths the word: "Parents?" Rylis nods and then ventures into the crowd, talking to every human they meets.
The girl slowly regains her composure, and taps the teifling on the shoulder.
"My name is Mira, and my brothers name is Kiren."
"Well Mira, thats a very nice name by the way, my name is Valentine. These are my friends, Shay and Erin." He points to the orc and the gnome. They both wave and smile at the Mira, and she shrinks closer into Val.
"The big one is scary."
"I know she is, but she won't hurt you. She's actually rather friendly."
At this point, Rylis returns and shakes his head.
"No luck."
Valentine slowly stands up, and looks at the other three before looking back at Mira. He stare at her for a second before saying,
"We are going to help you find your brother."
The girl looks up at him and begins to shout with joy.
"Really?! Thank you, thank you, thank you so much! I can't believe someone is willing to h-"
Before she can finish what she was saying, her eyes suddenly turn a deep blue and start glowing as she hovers a few feet off the ground. She begins to speak in an eerie voice...