The Arrival
Cosutanu, Tulosz 22 Trowel, 1423 8:00 pm
Shortly after sunset the road you’ve been riding for days reaches the bend in the Prulme River where it turns eastward to head toward Prulme itself. Ahead of you, the bridge that crosses the river is barricade with heavy wagons and carriages, laden with barrels, and with large angular stones blocking their wheels. A sign in the road, written in both Tuloszian and Comerta says:
Cosutanu Village under quarantine. No Admittance.
Two guards move into the center of the road between you and the barricade. They carry spears, swords and shields, and wear the uniforms of the Order of the Flaming Sword over their chainmail armour.
As you slow your horses one of the guards steps forward. Roxandra Grolu, a porcine woman, wears the coat of the Steel Key Company.
AFILIAT GROLU
This village is under quarantine. Halt and identify yourselves.
As the party is expected, once they show her their identification Afiliat Grolu and the other guard move the barricade and she asks them to follow her across the bridge and into the village. She leads them first to the Parvenza Stables where a stable hand takes their horses, and arrangements are made to bring their bags and equipment to the only inn in the village; Ul Grau e Rota.
Next she leads them to Cosutanu Hall - the former manor home of a noble family from the Imperial Era that now serves as the administrative center of the area. They are led into what appears to have once been a ballroom, but now has the appearance of a council chamber, configured to function as a crisis center during the quarantine.
They are greeted first by a rodian woman, the Mandatar Petrilla Cerniu. She is the Delegate of Dileniu whose missive to the Legate Avramo initiated your mission.
MANDATAR CERNIU
Thank you for your prompt response. Since our last message to you, things have taken a turn for the worse. We will need to act promptly before situation grows completely beyond our control. Come, let me introduce you to the Primar and the rest of the council.
With that, the Mandatar brings the party forward into the room and introduces them the council - all twelve of whom are present. They are in the middle of eating a rushed dinner; all formalities set aside as they discuss details of the situation while scooping up a delicious smelling mutton stew from bowls using spoons or flatbreads. The Mandatar interrupts a conversation between the Primar, a canis woman, and the Pastratorea, an elven woman.
PRIMAR BRYNI MAGAR
Greetings. Vehira blesses us with your prompt arrival. I pray we still have time to bring this terrible curse under control. Yesterday was a terrible day, with seven new infections and two more dead. More terrifying is that four of those in the Im-habn household attacked two others and began devouring them in a horrifying display. Guards killed two of the four, but the other two escaped. We don’t know where to.
On top of that, we are just completing today’s tally. We have eight new infections - all contained to the currently quarantined families. Sadly, three more of the infected have died - two were only children. All were separated promptly and we were able to put them to the sword and pyre before they rose as ghouls - which seems to happen within minutes of death. Fortunately, one of the infected has recovered - but that still leaves us with thirteen sick and twelve escaped. Neither our priests, nor our so-called ‘apothecary’ have been able to provide any kind of cure.
Complicating matters is this ghost… it was first reported as a rumour at around the same time people began to fall ill. Eventually, on 12 Trowel, it attacked and killed poor Gavriela Nectria as she was walking home from the offices of the Bank one night. This was witnessed by one of her co-workers, and quickly followed upon by the Lumanaru family. Then, two nights ago, it attacked Beatriche Nectria on the grounds of the Nectria Estate. Fortunately she escaped unharmed, but has been left quite terrified. If you’d like to speak with her I’m sure Corporal Nectria can arrange a meeting.
CORPORAL CALIBAN NECTRIA
Certainly, but there is little to learn from my aunt. What is important is that we ultimately enact a plan to track down and eliminate this ghost before it threatens anyone else, or spreads more disease.
PRIMAR BRYNI MAGAR
It is our intention to offer you what support can - so please - tell us what you need, and we’ll do anything we can to help.
At this point, Afiliat Grolu steps forward;
AFILIAT GROLU
I’ve received word that your horses are all well stabled, watered and fed and that your gear, bags and other belongings have all been moved to rooms at Ul Grau e Rota. If you have need, I can take you there now, or whenever you wish.