The Lion, the Artist, and the Mural (storyline)/Recaps (summary)

Chapter 1 Recaps

02.04.2024

Bastaesil Hemstead arrived in North Market looking for a Taladorian artist and his daughter. She had posted a sign earlier in the day noting that they'd be arriving this afternoon. Unfortunately, they hadn't arrived yet and there was concern from some that maybe the weather had delayed them, while others were concerned it was the travel. Bastaesil went off to see if her Uncle had heard of them being delayed, while a group of adventurers went off to double-check the roads leading in from the north. They arrived in Cairnfang forest as a group of bandits were setting up the pair, and quickly escorted them out of the woods and into Vornavis. Interestingly enough, they were hounded all the way to the Gates of Vornavis before the bandits ceased, someone calling from the woods that they needed to stop their attack or the "Talon" would have their head for crossing the bridge.

Once in North Market, the group was met by Bastaesil who informed them that the Guild had found lodging for them with a local family. Lady Ba'Thira would be housing them in her Vornavian home for the duration of their stay.

Tshomlin, the artist, asked for a renegotiation of the terms, stating that he would need supplies for the project. Bastaesil offered to take a list to the local suppliers, but he insisted that he was particular about his needs and would want to pick them out himself. She grudgingly agreed to the terms and then offered to take them to Lady Ba'Thira's house. Tshomlin declined, asking that she take his daughter instead.

Once gone, Tshomlin asked what the local game was like. At first misunderstanding that he wasn't speaking about hunting, the artist clarified he was looking for gambling games. Several inquiries were made about his previous work and he mentioned he'd done work in the Capital of Talador before the fall. He listed two pieces, stating he'd painted Kuligar Gardane and done a piece in Doggoroth Keep of a clan of Dwarves. At some point, someone made a joke about dicing causing someone to fall and Tshomlin said that he needed to be careful as he couldn't leave his daughter without two parents. He briefly shared, growing more maudlin as he did, that his wife had died during the fall of Talador while he and his daughter were out of the barony. Her name was Alarranne. He spoke poetically about her talent and beauty. Taking another of the brews that had been offered from the ground, he decided to head off but not before asking where the local watering holes were.

Moments later, Akinir came looking for him but missed him. She wanted to remind him to tell everyone about the meeting the next evening so that they could learn about the Lady Kasendra from locals. She asked that they not tell him she'd shared the information, instead asking them to state that Miss Hemstead gave the reminder. She was asked which of her father's pieces of work were her favorite and after a bit of hemming and hawing, she said she was. There was talk of asking him to share his portrait of her for the local gallery and she quickly corrected stating that all his work was lost in the Bleak. She rushed off to take a bath.