Vestau

[Zet]

Common Difficulty: Lightweight

Vestau is a town largely made of wood with a community that works together to maintain it, a town that one can reach after traversing the Swordsman Plateau for a time. A humble abode, it sits as a resting point for those who have trained at the plateau and need to supply themselves and rest. It sits as a place for goods to travel through and is simple enough for people to get work here helping transport the goods in exchange for a form of payment.

[shast]

(From the Swordsman Plateau)
Hours upon hours after setting foot onto the planes Jax finally arrives at the small hamlet of a town. Before diving head first into his search he opts to allow his feet a repite and searches for a nearby tavern or inn to fetch a small drink. While browsing the streets for such a place he does make sure to occasionally take stock of his surroundings both locals and possible decorum that may happen to fit the brigands he hunts for.

[Wraith]

He would be in luck and be able to spot either location easily, as both had a sign that labelled what they were. The inn was for those who weren't looking for as much interaction when they whiled away their stay while the tavern was the usual hub of activity one would expect of it. There were none who fit the image of the brigands here, the people who roamed the streets looking over the giant of a man but otherwise letting him continue unabated.

[shast]

Fruitless, but he hadn't been searching in earnest at this point either. Jax enters the tavern and pulls up a stool at the bar that could hold him. Without a word he gestures for a drink and makes a small motion to another patrons glass of water as to his choice of beverage.

[Wraith]

He looked like someone who wasn't from around these parts. A traveler perhaps? The tender didn't question it and instead simply watched the silent one's gestures after he pulled up a seat. Experience over time in the trade. The older man reached for a glass and poured the water as he handed it over to Jax. Something to help tide over the long journey no doubt, though the tavern master spoke up to perhaps begin some small talk in the meantime. "What brings you around these parts, wanderer?"

[shast]

Jax reciprocates the water with a gesture. A light forward turn of his hand into an open palm to indicate thanks. He sips the water and at the barkeeps question he sets the glass back down. Taking out a small sheet of well crafted paper and setting it on the bar, Jax taps it twice, brings his hand to his neck, and then making a light palm up sweep as to imply he was missing it.

On it was an incredibly well detailed sketch of a stone set inside metal frame on a chain; a necklace most likely. As if to premptively answer the next logical question, on the sheet there was a small note outlining that the frame was a metal akin to silver and the stone's "natural" color was a vibrant brown like a tiger eye.

[Wraith]

That was an interesting looking stone that he was looking for, keeping his eye on it to take in the details along with the aforementioned note. A sort of necklace that had such an elaborate design would look out of place around these parts. Maybe in the fancier areas, but unless it was some sort of memento or heirloom then most wouldn't just be carrying it around with them. But then that did remind him of something that had caught his eye. "Haven't seen anything quite like it, but I do recall the other night seeing a vibrant brown gleam. Thought it was a trick of the eye, but if someone looted you, they might have passed through here and made way toward the capital."

[shast]

Jax's eyebrow perked at the brown gleam. The stone would react to different environments in various ways. It's possible this light was it influencing the towns soil or geography. The stalwart warrior pockets his picture and slowly finishes his drink. He puts another coin on the bar, a tip for the information, and gets up to leave the bar. Seeking out the main road that would lead the capital both to depart on, and to inspect the soil and area for recent alterations.

[Wraith]

He took the coin gratefully, Jax being on his way as he started to inspect for alterations. While they didn't appear to be in the immediate area, it did seem as though it had a long reaching distance. It must have been used for some reason or another but did at least give him a direction to head in next: toward the capital, perhaps able to catch up to them even. While unlikely given the lead it wasn't improbable to catch them eventually given that there wasn't anywhere else for them to go after reaching the capital.