Varennes

————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Town, small; next parish over from Orlain

Wolf and Fox Inn

It is the first of June, evening has come upon the town of Varennes, and you have come to the Wolf and Fox Inn for a hearty dinner and a soft bed. The common-room of the inn is brimming with activity, every table full of bawdy carousers, barmaids rushing hither and thither to serve flagons of ale and trenchers of meat. The chamber is illuminated by the red glow of a roaring fire overwhich is boiling an appetising stew, whence rises a pleasant aroma.

But not everything is so jolly at the Wolf and Fox, nor indeed in Varennes. In recent weeks, the town has seen an unprecedented volume of migration from the south, whole families arriving in droves seeking refuge from some queer terror. The local hospice cannot house them all, so the local inns have found their rooms sold out as desperate families clamber to secure room and board. Amidst the gay faces of locals, you can see solemn, frightened men, women and children.

You at a table in the shadowy corner of the common room, where you can converse in relative peace amongst the crowd and clamour.

—————————————————————————————————————————————

Persons in the Common Room

• Ubert and Vida: The barkeep and his wife.
• Isop and Ralia: Peasants from Orlain who fled due to the strange happenings and the death of their livestock. They have a son Joli (8) and daughters Belina (5) and Prosa (3).
• Jaso and Alena: Peasants from Orlain who fled due to the strange happenings. They have an infant daughter Estela.
• Odilia: An old widow from Orlain who fled after her house was burnt down in the night. She is very distraught to have lost the house her husband built for her all those years ago.
• Local Drunks: Will relate rumours about Orlain, many of which are spurious.
• Miro and troupe: A troubadour who was intending on travelling to Orlain to play music with his troupe. Unfortunately, there are strange happenings in Orlain and thus, he will be staying in Varennes. He advises the players not to visit the Grey Mare Inn and to get a room at the Old-Man and Scythe (his memory is poor).

Rumours about Orlain

• The well-water of Orlain has been poisoned (false). Sinister and mysterious evil is at work in the village (true).
• A huge, many-headed creature has been stealing children at night(false).
• A sorcerer from Ruthenland has moved to the Silva Escur, and is working foul enchantments there (false).
• Giant newts are straying far from the marsh (true).
• People in Orlain are being altered (true), and the ensorceled" can be recognized by fang marks in their throats (false).

Prices at the Wolf and Fox Inn

Gauderic's Smithy

As you approach the smithy, you can see dark smoke writhing up from a chimney, and can hear the clanging sounds of hammers against anvils. Entering, you find yourselves in a dark worshop illuminated by the red glow of a forge, bright flames licking at the hearth. An apprentice works the billows, fanning the flames, while another boy rushes hither and thither carrying supplies. In the midst of the shop, a strong, bronze-skinned man with dark, curly hair, beats a blade into shape. Once satisifed, he douses the red-hot metal into a bucket, white steam hissing as it cools. After a moment, the man notices you standing in his door way.

"Can I help you?" he asks.

—————————————————————————————————————————————

Prices at the Smithy

Other Locations in Varennes

Church

A small parish church

Other Shops

Varennes has the following shops; bakery, a cobbler's shop, tailor's shop, belt-maker's shop, bowyer's shop, knife-maker's shop, and general merchant's stand.

————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Back to Contents

Back to Home