Back to Basics Chapter 1: Where are we ?

[VAN]

Despite Sara doesn't really trust Ping decides to answer his question hoping that she can actually get an answer later of how to come back.

"My name is Sara Croft. I'm from Richmulot, Pont a Museau. I have decided to start a new life as adventurer since the life in town wasn't suit me. I wanted new experience. So I left my house with my horse. As riding though a pack of wolves appeared and attacked me. I knew that I had poor chances to escape alive so decided to flee. I saw mist arise close to me and head there for some cover. When the mist cleared I found myself by a river in a totally new place. Here. I run into the other members of our small group that were also lost. But despite me they seem to come from another city, Marsember. I have never actually heard it. We decided to go to the village and ask where we are and how we can go back to our lands. But once here we heard women crying. They told us about the missing children and of course we decided to help. Long story short we found the monkey men vikkage, fred the children and lead them back here."

Sara looks Ping for a moment and asks:
"You said we are in Vasa right? I know that mists can take people from land to anotrher but my companions don't seem to know anything about them. Also they haven't heard Richmulot. So I guess they are from somewhere far away, not from Mainland maybe from a big island. Do you have any map where they can find their way back? Because for me is easier. Nova Vasa is in the Mainland so one way or another I can find my way back hope. With a little help and supplies of course. But I'm more concerned about them now."

Sara makes a small pauses before ask her next question:

"May you tell me the exact date we have now please?"

[Lord Skybolt]

"It is year 561 by the Barovian Calender . Why do you ask ? "Pings raises an eye brow at the question .

[VAN]

"Because want to know if we are still at the same time when mists got me from Richmulot."

[steveflam]

Arnulf's whistling ends abruptly with a grunt. "WHOA!!!" I got a big one! Lorna, come and see this! Oh man Dad would be so proud of me!" The youth fights for another two minutes and in one strong pull, wins! A large fish is dangling at the end of his line, fighting furiously. He quickly yanks it ashore. With experience from fishing, his dagger is already in his other hand and with the handle he beats the head in only. "Phew! Hey nice catch. Maybe the villagers can eat this?" He takes the dead fish and removing a cloth from his backpack lays it on there.

Again he sits, this time concentrating and no longer whistling. Serious face indeed as he jumps up. "I got another one! Holy Moly!" The fish ends up on the cloth with its predecessor. This scene repeats three more times. Arnulf is smiling. "I think the villagers will appreciate these fish, Lorna. I don't think we can really take them with us they won't last that long to be honest. I am just glad to help these people."

[ewancummins]

Dalorna smiles, patting her brother on the shoulder.

''Good catch, Arnulf! Ah, I agree, let's give them to the villagers. Maybe they can cook these fish for the party.

[steveflam]

Arnulf grins. "Yeah, I think you are right!" He does his best to carry the cloth and fish back to the village. "Hello!," he calls out, "I have caught some fish for the party. I thought you might be able to use it."

[Lord Skybolt]

Some women and children take your catch to be prepared as an addition to the food for the party tonight . Commenting on the good luck of Arnulf and blessings this will bring to the village . Arnulf and Dalorna hear something about an offering to the Patron God of the village that one of the fish shall be used for as the fish are taken away .

[ewancummins]

''Patron god...hmmmm..."

Dalorna looks over at her brother, raising an eyebrow-

"Do you want to investigate this?"

[steveflam]

"Patron god? I have no idea what a patron god is. Isn't that your friend Isidar's department? I mean, do you think these villagers are worshipping some evil god? Didn't someone mention an evil god before? I don't know much about religion, sorry. If you feel it important to investigate, I will help you, you know that."

[ewancummins]

''Sara said that they worship Bane. But maybe we should try to learn more? I don't know anything about their customs, here."

[kintire]

Overhearing this exchange, Alia quietly rises and wanders over to the villagers, trying to drop into conversation about the village, its environs, the monsters that took the children, patron gods...and so on

[steveflam]

Arnulf waits till the people are gone and looks at his older sister. "Hey, Lorna, Ping made me think about that package I have. It's been really bugging me. I wanna open it."

[ewancummins]

'Well, I don't think the gnomes would want you to open it. It isn't your property; you have been entrusted to deliver it. When we get home, you can deliver it, and then you'll probably find out what's inside, Arnulf."

[steveflam]

The young man huffs "Oh man! This thing is getting on my nerves. Carrying it is making me wanna know more of what is inside."

Arnulf removes the package and puts it his ear, trying to see if he can hear anything inside. "C'mon Lorna. Let me just have a little peek already. I'll close up the wrapping after, I promise."

[ewancummins]

"Arnulf, you know that isn't right. "