Oshuamp - Episode 2: A Morning of Mourning

Recap
Ritora, Nesgrim, and Ethir sit inside the Quiet Night discussing the city with Eliza. Felix returns, knowing that Jerky was executed for an unknown crime. Ritora explains her accidental selection that has brought her to Oshuamp. Eliza shares information on the difficulties of the winter, the unknown nature of the curious change in weather at the conclusion of Dumar, and questions Ritora about her home. She explains that she is from the Avaeth Woods, and briefly spent time in the city Fhaorn. Something is causing an unnatural destruction within the woods, but Ritora is tightly lipped about it.

Felix tells the crew that Jerky was hanged in the Gallows. Eliza is dismayed as she was a helpful courier in the city and would investigate the proposed crime. The entire crew is offered a bland meal and they are told it is created by magic from the Brothers of Ostador, and that the people receive small daily amounts to keep them satiated. Merchants, like Eliza, are given additional amounts.

They spend the night, and Eliza reminds them that she will be busier tomorrow and will need payment from them in advance. In the morning, she provides a small breakfast and the group sets out for Beggar’s Market to find the Board, a large wooden plank that is nailed into one of the vacant stalls where merchants and other citizens can make requests for work.

They arrive and take a page each for an optional quest, and then journey towards the Tattered Tomes. En route, they are stopped by a small, poor boy, who offers them a copy of the Daily Oshuamp, the source of news within the city. Ethir reads rumors of Peculiar travelers entering Oshuamp during the Estver, another murder committed by someone named “The Jackal”, a failed expedition for firewood, and then the major story, called The Chronicle, that dictates the execution of Jerky, the use of some curious magic that attempted to rescue her, and the swift serving of Justice.

At the Tattered Tomes, they meet Katie, a small Gnome woman who is quite eccentric and aloof. She is delighted by patrons interested in her books and excited to know they have accepted her request to deliver books to Sister Madeleine’s in Slums North. She shares her knowledge of things she has read, and is uncertain when Nesgrim asks her about “aasimar” and other “celestial” creatures. She is aware of aasimar, but has never read or heard of the word “celestial.” Confused and dismayed, they accept her work and take the wooden crate out into the snow.

They traverse through the increasing heights of heavy snow, and Felix briefly stops to purchase a wolf-fur lined cloak at the Reliable Bag from a gnome woman named Beatrice. They reach the edge of Slums West and head north towards the Gateway passing into Slums North. Ethir greets the guard, Eli, and the crew present their passes. He warns them to be extremely careful, as the first day of Elsyth is very dangerous in Slums North.

They traverse, slowly and carefully, passing by the Pawnman, an enormous Gallows, and a massive cemetery and mausoleum. They arrive at an enormous stone building and are welcomed inside by Sister Lauren, who is elated at the sight of new books for the children. Within, the group realizes this is an orphanage that provides safe shelter for the displaced young ones within Oshuamp. Ethir meets a young dwarf boy named Grimdar who is struck in the head with a ball and yells at a girl named Nina. Grimdar is excited for his friend Bran to continue to teach him to read.

As he finishes reading the short story, a heavyset woman with a finer robe enters, and introduces herself to everyone as Sister Madeleine. While shaking hands with each of the adventurers, a small bloodstone set into her bracelet begins to glow. When they ask her about it, she says she does not see any glowing and is confused.