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[Radiant]

"Where... Where? The mines- They- From the north! They shall come from the north! Where the dwarves forged them, where the dwarves forged them away! A passage to their world of darkness and stone, long forgotten... Forgotten! There's nothing you can do, to seek them out is to bring our dooms even closer!" The man's responses are getting less coherent the longer this goes on. A growing desperation in his eyes, like a cornered beast - And it only grows worse, hearing someone questioning him for details he so clearly does not have.

Fortunately, someone else chimes in. An old man, with greying hair and the distinctive build and scars of a lifetime of smithing. He looks skeptical, no fear or panic in his eyes like some of the younger members of the crowd - But the way he rubs his chin, he doesn't seem to be dismissing the claims out of hand either. "Hah? Northern mines? Now, I don't know anythin' about any passages to the land 'a the dwarves, but there's only one mine of any size between here and the frozen wastes up at top of the world. Been empty fer... Ah, at least fifty winters now, since I was a boy. Closed down after a big shakeup, collapsed a bunch 'a tunnels."

Spoiler: Rune-speakers (click to show/hide)

To the common folk, a rune-speaker is simply another brand of sorcerer - A miracle-worker who speaks of incomprehensible things beyond their ken. They would tell you quite the opposite. A Sorcerer invokes the spirits that rule the aspsects of the world, compelling them with word and oath to do their bidding. A rune-speaker is merely a man who has learned the true names of the world around him. They do not command the winds - Merely speak their language. Their skills are those of Fate and Names, using their knowledge to change the world with light touches in just the right places.

Rank 1: The rune-speaker can communicate with all living beings, though base animals can convey limited meaning with their words.

Rank 2: The rune-speaker knows the least of the true names of the gods, and can inscribe them onto surfaces and objects to create blessings, wards, and other minor effects. These are never blatantly supernatural, and merely mark the user as one who is to be treated gently by nature. The wind wakes them before an ambush can be sprung, wild animals avoid their food, and luck is always in their favor.

Rank 3: The rune-speaker can communicate even with the spirits of non-living things, including the basic elemental forces of the world. These beings do not communicate in language as we know it, but can express their intentions and purposes nonetheless. Most commonly used to predict disasters... Or, occasionally to convince the spirits to cause them.

Rank 4: The rune-speaker can speak to the spirits with greater eloquence and conviction, capable of convincing them to perform feats that really do match those of sorcery with none of the costs. It does, however, take much more time. And the spirits of particularly twisted lands may have no interest in speaking, assaulting anyone who tries to contact them instead of listening.

Spoiler: Gylfi (click to show/hide)

Inventory:
Runed staff
Rations
Maps
A DnD character's worth of useful trinkets

Skills:
Rune-Speaker 2
Survival 1
Fitness 2

[TamerVirus]

Who are you, old man? Do you believe this doomsayer?

[King Zultan]

Who are you, old man? Do you believe this doomsayer?

+1

[Radiant]

"Old man? Hah! Ya can call me that when I'm in the grave, and not a day before!" A hearty laugh, a shake of his head. He responds with about as much energy as you'd expect from his forge, though it dies down quickly as he waves any concerns away with a dismissive motion. The preacher glares at the both of you for a moment, before his attention shifts back to the rest of the crowd to continue his same panic-inducing speech as before. "But nah, nah, I'm just the smith 'round these parts, so all this talk of metal monsters' got my attention. It's probably nothin', yeah? But what if it wasn't... I'd pay an arm and a leg for any dwarf-made tools, even if they ain't gonna try and kill us all! Name's Sied, and you... Traveller, yeah? I know the look, ya stick out like a sore thumb around all these local farmers and hunters and the lot of 'em."

Spoiler: Gylfi (click to show/hide)

Inventory:
Runed staff
Rations
Maps
A DnD character's worth of useful trinkets

Skills:
Rune-Speaker 2
Survival 1
Fitness 2

[TamerVirus]

I am Gylfi, travelling rune-speaker. I hail from Brightmarch, in the east. Or at least I used to, before it was destroyed by marauders many years ago. Now, I travel to and from, searching for places to ply my craft. Besides this madman, what other rumors have you heard in this town?

[Blood_Librarian]

I am Gylfi, I have been wandering without purpose for a long time now. I hail from the ruins of Brightmarch, in the east. After the Slaughter-demons had been put down, my home felt too cold to me until i had a reason to settle down, hence my curiosity towards the blight that may plight this land.

[Radiant]

"Ach, stories like that are all too common these days... Hah, it's likely why people pay so much mind to the ones talkin' gloom and doom lately. 'S like there's a new story of a new ruin every week. Though, haha, I can't say I've seen a refugee yet who claims skills like that!" He stops, rubbing his chin and looking you over before resuming his speech. "But rumors... Well, like I said, there's plenty of stories of terrible things happening, but nothin' much in the way of proof. Locally though! 'Round here, we been doin' pretty well for ourselves. Got a bit of food poisoning goin' round from a bad harvest, but that's 'bout it. I don't put much stock in a few panicky housewives crying 'necromancy' every time anybody gets sick, yeah? ...This thing in the mine though, somethin' feels off about that story. Guy up there, he ain't a man o the gods or anything, ain't never claimed any prophetic dreams before. So something musta set him off, ya know?"

Spoiler: Gylfi (click to show/hide)

Inventory:
Runed staff
Rations
Maps
A DnD character's worth of useful trinkets

Skills:
Rune-Speaker 2
Survival 1
Fitness 2

[TamerVirus]

You saying this madman is a local? Not some traveler? You actually know who he is?

[King Zultan]

What kind of rumors of about terrible things?

[Radiant]

Sied rubs the back of his neck for a moment, gaze twisting skyward slightly as he considers the questions. It's pretty clear he doesn't spend too much thought on this sort of thing most of the time. "Ah, geez, there's just too many of 'em to list, ya know? There's talk of demons in the east and giants in the south, necromancers everywhere, and- Look, don't put too much stock in this, but some of the more paranoid sorts have been insisting the stars are going out. One or two every night... Hah, as if anyone's counting close enough to notice!" More uproarious laughter, he wavs it all off with a grin as he continues. "Now, as for the doomsayer up there, yeah I know 'im - Well, he's not quite a local either, honestly. Somewhere between that and a hermit I guess? Goes by Forsier, has his own place and a little farm way out away from everybody. Comes by every few weeks for supplies, but today's the only time I've seen him like this."

Spoiler: Gylfi (click to show/hide)

Inventory:
Runed staff
Rations
Maps
A DnD character's worth of useful trinkets

Skills:
Rune-Speaker 2
Survival 1
Fitness 2

[King Zultan]

Can give us directions to the mine?

[TamerVirus]

How close is this guy's farm, should go check it out for any clues

[Radiant]

"Ah, that's easy - Hell, they're both pretty much down the same way. Ya just take the north-eastern road outta town, an' always take the right-hand path if there's a branch. That'd get ya to his place. Just retrace yer steps and go left at the last turn instead and you'll be headed toward the mine instead." He pauses after that answer, peering down at you and stroking his chin. "Don't you go makin' no trouble though, yeah? If you really wanna go see that ruined mine, it ain't no skin off my back, but folks what live out alone like that like their privacy."

Spoiler: Gylfi (click to show/hide)

Inventory:
Runed staff
Rations
Maps
A DnD character's worth of useful trinkets

Skills:
Rune-Speaker 2
Survival 1
Fitness 2

[TamerVirus]

'Thanks for the info'
Shadow the doomsayer back to his house and observe

[King Zultan]

'Thanks for the info'
Shadow the doomsayer back to his house and observe

+1 Then go and scout out the entrance of the mine.