Cracking an eye open at the update from the druid, Hohenvar moves to his feet slowly, his joints cracking with each movement. As he makes a move towards where the villagers are, without saying a word or so much as showing any real expression, he can't help but ruffle Rhogar's forehead in a nonchalant manner. As his footsteps drag heavy, gash-like footprints in the dirt he lets the simple sound of his form wading through the grass of the forrest announce his arrival on scene. Seeing their fearful expressions, the barbarian can only wonder if that's because of the trauma their goblin captors provided, the fact that a knight errant has not even made a motion to untie them, the sight of him, a Fey creature bloodied and bruised standing before their eyes or a twisted combination of everything.
Letting his current look work to his advantage, Hohenvar doesn't even pause to offer the townsfolk a waterskin before he kneels down to their eye-level. By now he's as close as he can possibly be, yellow-green eyes staring directly at each of them while his gnarled fingers drum a steady rhythm on either his belt or scabbard. Giving a sickening snap of his jaw, and a gaping gust of wind that accompanies his yawn, the Wilden gives them all one more look before finally speaking.
"I think the more pressing question, the one I'm very curious about right now, is," another awful grind of his jaw accompanies his interrogation. A jagged, bloodied splinter of bark, knocked loose during the battle, falls dead before the prisoners' eyes. "Why did you run from your town?"
"Indeed. As pressing matters go..." Cognast touches the waterskin to each of their lips gently. "That falls in line near the top. Drink, friends, but answer quickly and I will have you unbound and on your way shortly. Rook here is fierce, have no doubts, but if you cooperate, he will see sense. Were there others to flee the village before you, and do you know if they did so safely? Have you heard tell of goblins taking prisoners along this route before? Has this only recently become a problem as people have left Millhaven? Did you hear them say anything about a tribe or warband nearby where they may have been taking you? I ask only because we are bound for Millhaven to attend to some business, but I can't in good conscience simply abandon any others that may have been taken to some cruel, untoward fate."
Diplomacy: 1d20+10=28
I think that will do. Any and all questions we have should be answered shortly.
El SkidThe frozen white northRegistered Userregular
Cassandra walks into the clearing at this point, trailing Frankie as he walks unsteadily over the rough terrain. Noticing the captives, she smiles at them and motions for Frankie to wave at them; He laughs and flops his hand around in a generally wave-like manner. She means to take a long look at their reactions to the pair's questions, but is distracted as Frankie faceplants into the ground.
The sudden appearance of more rescuers, combined with seeing a wilden for the first time in their lives stunned the captives for a moment or two. When they realized that they weren't going to be immediately untied caused a concern look to pass amongst them, perhaps thinking they went from being captives from one group to captives to another.
They each took a grateful sip from Cognasts waterskin, before one of the men spoke. "H-h-how did you know we were running away from Millhaven?" The man looked at the his companions before turning back to the group of you, unsure of exactly who to speak with Cognast, or Hohenvar. "No there were no others who had left the town, we were the first to leave. There's always been goblins amongst these roads, its why we hired Varis as an escort." The man motions his toward the elf.
"Fat lot of good he did though," spat the woman eyeing the elf with contempt.
A look of shame crosses the elf face as he picks up where the man left off, "Yes they hired me, and yes I failed. As for the goblins taking prisoners in the past, it hasn't happened as far I know. Usually they only attack solitary travellers, never anyone who looks like they can put up a fight. Now can you please untie us?"
A tired, exasperated sigh left Hohenvar's lips. He scratched his chin, rustling the vine-like growth of what could only be described as facial hair. Mulling over this information he shares a quick look at Cognast before he snaps back at the captured villagers.
"You didn't answer my question!"He barked, startling even himself with the outburst. However he could tell they were holding back and information was needed. If he had to, Hohenvar felt like he would go to many lengths to continue his enterprise as well as keeping the ones around him relatively safe. "Why. Did. You. Leave?"
His patience was running thin, and looking up at the sky by the looks of it so was time.
"Now please, before we untie you, enlighten us as well as to how you came into contact with this elf."
Each of the captives slide themselves away as much as they can from Hohenvar, with a wild look of fear and terror in each of their eyes. A moment of silence stretches through the area as no one is sure of what to say before the woman finally speaks up.
"The towns being haunted, it started off with odd sounds being heard at night, sudden movements in the corner of your eye but nothing there when you look. Then things began to disappear, small things like brooms, children's toys, tools. That's when we began to notice the moss, it was growing around our statue of the Raven Queen, and spreading out from it. Two nights ago, the statue glowed a pale green light throughout the night and when the sun faded, little Jorel, Williams son, was missing."
Her voice was coarse and rough and each of you could see slight tears forming in the corner of hey eyes. The women shouldered her eyes as best as she could due to her bindings, then put on a stoic and determined face, looking Hohenvar square in the eyes. "Now if you'll please untie us now, we'd like to get as far as we can from that town, any bloody goblins still here, and you brutes."
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El SkidThe frozen white northRegistered Userregular
edited October 2011
"Now now... there's no reason to throw names around, especially to the ones that are in the process of freeing you." said Cassandra, plopping Frankie back on his feet and patting his bum. "It so happens we were sent to Millhaven to help make things right, and we really need any information you can provide us about what's gone wrong. I'm sure my colleagues were only delaying your release because of the urgency of our need for information, not out of any sort of ill will towards you. So let's get you untied, and if there's anything else you could tell us so we can help the others, I'd really appreciate it."
Cognast considers this for a moment. Hohenvar's terrorizing tone notwithstanding, he can see that both of the halflings are a little unsure of their treatment of the superstitious migrants. Strange lights on idols to - as far as he's concerned - dark gods is something you notify a local vicar of. You don't flee a town out of cowardice. It made him suspicious of their true reasons, but little would be gained from badgering them out in the wilds and Ousaniel's teachings had robbed him of assuming due process from the sheep. The elf - Varis - held a much more interesting story. So it was the elf he freed first, sliding a small paring knife through his bindings. "No insult was intended, friends. By my oath and order, I can assure you, Rook will cause you no harm. This particular bark was much worse than his bite." It takes rather a lot to stifle his smirk, but he can feel the whole group's eyes rolling at his pun. "Varis, are you well enough to guide them the rest of the way? Our course takes us to Millhaven, and Melian is a day's journey or more. If things are as -" he shoots a distrusting look at the two townsfolk "-dire as you say, we're needed there soon rather than later, and haven't the time to escort you."
As he helps Varis to his feet, he hands the elf the paring knife to free his two charges. It seemed only fitting that he at least perform that duty to earn his pay. "You seem like the trained, educated sort. Follow my reasoning: if the goblins' tactics have changed enough that your guidance wasn't enough thus far, how confident are you that you can get them to Melian? Return with us to Millhaven. We'll surely sort out this strange idol business quickly. There's room in our caravan, and my warhound, Rhogar-" he whistles dramatically, hoping Rho would catch the hint. "-could stay very close by at any time to help protect you on the remainder of the journey."
And, Cognast thinks, keep his ears open for anything they might not talk about in front of a Knight Errant or his travelling companions.
Diplormercy: 1d20+10=18
Of course, we could simply compel them to return with us. I'm giving them the option to do this the easy way. Either way, Cognast is not comfortable with anyone leaving Millhaven until we've sorted this out. Varis seems like a mercenary sort, a ranger by trade, if I had to guess. The other two have abandoned their lives and their destiny to the manipulations of others - that's no good on the Ioun fate-o-meter. I want to keep everyone in that town and make sure no one has a reason to be up to no good with the statue and townsfolk's superstitions - through sorcery, science or shenanigans.
The goblins' convenient change in tactics is also alarming. Makes me feel like they knew people would be fleeing from this town. And they weren't shy about assaulting a troupe of armed adventurers either. Everything stinks, I guess is what I'm getting at.
Brinna gives Cognast a hard-eyed look and moves forward with a grunt of irritated disapproval to help untie the hapless captives, something like sympathy softening her rough features as her hands work quickly and deftly to undo the single rope binding them all.
The women thanks Brinna for unbinding her while Varis cuts free the others. Once everyone was free and had stretched their legs a bit they looked amongst themselves when Cognast offers to take them back to Millhaven. "I'm not going anywhere with these people, I say we keep heading away from that town."
One of the men opened his mouth to speak, but was quickly silenced by a look from the woman. He shrugged and said,"very well dear."
Varis looked at the group of you and then back at his fellow former captives. "I did give you my word that I would escort you to the city, but I'd rather go back to town, I have a family to protect and these folks look like they could actually help us."
The women gave Varis a look of pure loathing,"Good we don't want you to take us anymore, we'll be out of the woods soon and we should be fine from there. You were useless anyways you knife eared bastard" With that said she turned around and headed down the road, stop only to turn around and make sure that her husband was following.
The fourth man looked at the couple and then towards the group of you and Varis, "Forget that, I'm going back to town with you guys. I'm Michael by the way."
Cognast rubs his temple and briefly considers subduing the leaving couple. He edges closer to his companions and says, in a low voice, "I suppose that could have gone better. I don't like leaving them to such an uncertain fate...But I fear there's no getting anywhere with that woman. I've rarely pitied a husband so much as I do now."
He turns to Michael and Varis, scanning Varis for any insult the lady's racism may have caused. "I'm glad you can see reason. Anything I should know about the lovely couple over there? Any reason besides the recent events in town that she'd be so eager to leave?"
"Honestly she's always been like that," replied Michael as he tried to rub the cramps out of his limbs. "They used to live in Malien before moving here, her husband Geoffery is a tailor and they moved to Millhaven assuming it would be easier to make a living in the town than in the city."
"I know what you're suggesting, and though she is a pain in the ass she is harmless." interrupted Varis ,"now perhaps we should head on our way, and I wouldn't mind looting those goblins for some weapons. One of those bastards took my bow, and I'd rather like it back over leaving without it."
"A pain in the ass and a bigot..." Cognast added, pointedly. He jerked his head in the direction of the clearing and the battle, moving back towards the cart. "By all means. Once you have your things, I've no objections to getting on with it if my colleagues don't. We can still make good time with what's left of the day. And before you ask..." he says, clearing the brush aside so the full resplendence of the Mystery Machines cart and the animals strapped to it is on display, "...it's on loan. I promise you, our taste isn't that horrid."
The rest of the journey to Millhaven was uneventful. Varis and Michael spent most of the journey telling the group of you about Millhaven.
It was a simple town that focused primarily on farming, though Varis was the towns chief hunter and part of the local militia. They would occasionally have to deal with any hobgoblin who fancied himself a war boss by having more than 10 goblinoids following him, but they were quickly dealt with. Other than that the town was rather normal.
The exception being religion within the town. Most if not all of the towns populace were followers of the Raven Queen, and in the centre of town is a massive statue to their patron deity.
Whenever someone in the town would die their body would be wrapped in shrouds and placed before the statue. For three days it would remain there untouched by the townsfolk, or wildlife. No scavenging animal such as crows, wild dogs, or even insects would go near. At the end of those three days, the corpse exposed to all the elements looked the same as when it was first placed there.
At some point during the third day the body would simply vanish. No one knew why or how but it did. It had even become a tradition for young boys about to enter upon the age of manhood to spend the third day watching the body to see what happens to it. Yet there is always a single moment when regardless of how many boys are watching, there is a second when no one is, and that's when the body disappears.
Then a few months ago, Loretta, a local girl had died from a poisonous snake bite. The traditional ceremonies were observed and her body was laid by the statue. To everyones horror the next morning crows were seen pecking at her exposed face. On the second day the smell of decay could be smelled from the corpse, and during the night the boys tasked with watching the body had to fight off a pack of coyotes. During the third day several of the boys saw her body sink into the ground like a biscut sinking into a thick stew.
At first people said Loretta had offended the Raven Queen in some terrible way, but a week later Tristran died of old age, and the same events happened to his remains.
At around the same time people began to see and hear odd things. Sudden movements out of the corner of your eye, the sound of someone whispering near you even when you're alone. Then random items began to disappear out of peoples homes. That's when the moss began to grow at the base of the statue and with each passing day it grew slightly further up that statue where when they left her legs were entirely covered.
As was said earlier two nights ago the statue began to glow a pale green light and at dawn a child was missing. They spent the whole day searching for the boy but he was never found.
At dusk you all arrive in town and the place does fit the description given to you. Simple houses that show the town as being not too prosperous, and at the same time giving off the feeling that it's inhabitants did live rather comfortable lives.
As Varis shows you towards the local inn you notice few people outside but those that are give you odd looks. A few children even run up to you asking if you were circus folk here to put on a show.
The inn, The Ravens Wing, was in the centre of town giving you the chance to see the statue. It was an impressive sight being around twelve feet tall and made entirely of marble. It showed a regal looking woman in long robes and a hood over her head. Her right arm was outstretched with her hand opened in a beckoning manner. Her left arm held a book clutched against her chest. Green moss had grown up the statues legs and ended at her waist.
A tall, skinny, red-headed man came out of the inn followed by what appeared to be his sons. "Greetings travellers, I am Markus, owner of the inn you see before you and you are more than welcome to stay at my establishment." At that moment he noticed the markings on Cognasts armor and smiled even more. " and of course you're lodging fees will be free of charge to you folks.
To make room for the exhausted townsfolk, Brinna chose not to ride aboard the cart, instead walking the rest of the way to Millhaven. Travelling where she wanted to go on her own two feet felt good, and quietly satisfying too, like counting the coin earned at the end of a day's hard but honest work. There's a soft look of bliss on Brinna's face as she pads tirelessly along, mile after mile passing beneath her travel-hardened bare feet, and while she's aware the others might think her a little strange for actually preferring to walk, it doesn't matter to the halfling. She knows which path she must tread, and it will take a great deal more than someone else's opinion to keep her from doing so.
"Queer business," she mutters in response to the villagers' tale, frankly without a clue what to make of it. Apart, maybe, from paying lip service to Avandra once in a great while, Brinna isn't and has never been religious, and finds herself thoroughly out of her depth as regards the bizarre events in Millhaven. Not the best way to kick off her adventuring career, she thinks to herself. Reaching the town and getting to lay eyes on the sacred statue in person provides no useful insight, either. If anything, it makes it a little harder to imagine such strange things happening in what looks to be a humble enough place.
"Brinna Coastwell," the halfling introduces herself to the innkeep, saying no more for the time being. There are a couple of uneducated guesses and suggestions that come to her mind regarding the town's alleged haunting, but right now she sees no point to voicing them. She doesn't doubt that the people of Millhaven – people more familiar with their religion at the very least – have tried and considered these things already to no avail, and while Brinna feels quite certain that she is out of her element here, she'd rather not admit to her ignorance already.
"Hohenvar," the barbarian says, giving a curt nod as he follows the monk's lead. While the inn looked quite cosy and more than adequate to suit their needs, the Wilden couldn't help but feel slightly claustrophobic indoors. No, a tree outside for him to rest under or amongst the branches would suffice. It would do him good to keep in tune with his surroundings if they were to spend more time here. "We've been sent here to fix your, uh, problem as it were."
Stumbling a little with his choice of words, casting a furtive glance between the innkeeper and his two sons, not wanting cause any unwanted panic with what little tact he had, Hohenvar realised something. Quickly glancing behind him back outside he approaches a nearby window ignoring any looks he receives. Clutching the window sill he peers back out towards the town center, most importantly at the statue. Tilting his head from side to side, as if rearranging his thoughts in such a physical manner, he steps back after a few long moments. Something Varis and Michael mentioned itches his mind in a way that can't be brushed off. Not just yet. Facing the rest of the group and the few townsfolk before him, he gives a minor shrug before making his way to the door with purpose in his stride.
"I have to check something," he says, this time throwing out any previous courtesy he had out the proverbial window. "Rhogar I may need your help, keep an ear out."
And with this he is out the door.
Making a bee-line directly for the statue Hohenvar stops several feet short. He eyes the stone carving, the green moss entangling its base and the ever-neutral gaze of the Raven Queen. Drumming his branched fingers against the hilt of his axe he wonders if he should continue. Peering around at the emptiness of what he was told used to be a thriving town, the lack of children playing and no activity that would make any city jealous he settles in for his choice. Taking several steps forward the Wilden kneels down low and presses his palm to the soil right near where the bodies are usually laid. Spreads the dirt around for a few lingering seconds before running his fingers through the earth. Taking a deep breath a low hum emanates from the crease that is his mouth, a noise not unlike the sound of branches swaying or leaves rustling. An expression of displeasure, almost pain runs across the scarred features of the barbarian. He's noticed something odd, but he can't be quite sure.
Not sure if he understands the thought process of the wayward fae as the barbarian excuses himself, Cognast grimaces at the charade he enforced on Rhogar for the majority of the journey. He turns to the innkeeper and gestures for Varis to join them as he enters the establishment and begins to discard his travelling gear.
"Markus, I am Sir Cognast re'Iouni of the Bellum-Iouni. Your hospitality to my order and my comrades is deeply appreciated. Hohenvar means no disrespect in dismissing your generosity. I assure you, he's a pleasant enough fellow. We'll set ourselves up in our rooms and then - if you don't mind - I'd like to reconvene with yourself and Varis, the ranking cleric - I presume there's a temple in the area - and the head of your local Watch or Militia, if I could intrude upon you to fetch them." Quietly, he says to the innkeeper, "For that conversation, my colleagues and I would appreciate relative privacy. You may want to excuse your children for the evening. We have some matters of importance to discuss, and I'd rather not upset them."
To Rhogar, he quietly says, "I wouldn't ask you to keep up the ridiculous hound pretense for much longer, but I'll let you make the decision. Given how rather human this area seems to be, they may not be comfortable with a fae, a half fae, and a pair of halflings traipsing about, let alone a dragonborn foreigner. The town seems small enough that such bigotry isn't unheard of in my travels. I leave it to you, my friend. But you may be a perfect pair of clandestine ears for our time here."
Since Varis and Michael never saw Rhogar as a dragonborn, can we assume that the townsfolk, lest they have some capacity for magic, don't know he's not a odd, magical warhound and is, in fact, a sentient person?
El SkidThe frozen white northRegistered Userregular
edited October 2011
Cassandra hops out of the carriage, Frankie in her arms. Plopping him down on the street, she gave the innkeeper a big smile but said nothing more than "Cassandra and Frankie, at your service!".
Frankie started running around in circles as the Halfling picked up her staff from the carriage- she was looking weary from the trip, during which Frankie had very little room to run around, and so had had to be kept constantly occupied. Luckily Rhogar had been there- the druid had been an excellent companion for the child, as well as a bed a couple of times when the child had tired himself out.
Rhogar leapt from the carriage in wolf form, deciding to remain for the time being. A pair of ears that no one suspected might come in handy, and the townsfolk might be more guarded around even a housecat if a Druid was gallivanting around town.
He turned to Cognast and let out a quick bark, hoping his intention of "I get a bed" was carried across well enough as he nosed towards the hotel.
A tug alerted the wolf, but he managed to keep his tongue down, as he noticed Frankie happily tugging. He turned around, sniffing and licking the child, having grown fond of the diminutive humanoid.
Regardless of how much his new buddy liked a big "puppy" to play with, Cognast owed him BIG for this.
"Of course, that won't be a problem at all Sir re'Iouni. Would this evening be ok? Our local priest usually stops by after sunset to pick up one of my famous cinnamon rolls for himself." replied Makus, giving a startled look at Cassandra and Frankie, his eyes opening wide in horror when Rhogar leapt out from the carriage and began to play with the halfling child. "I'll make sure to clear out a section of our stables for your wolf there, hopefully he won't scare the horses."
As introductions were being made, Hohenvar decided to immediately investigate the statue. Once he was within a few feet of the statue he felt a wave of conflicting emotions washing over himself. As he examined the area he tried to put a sense of meaning behind the emotions and finally settled that it felt like he was at home, that he was somewhere very familiar but at the same time it had been tainted by something. It was as if he were a soldier returning to his former village that had been raided and burnt to the ground during the war. He then noticed that though it was a warm sunny day, his breath could be seen as if it were the winter, and a slight chill ran throughout his body. Then the wildens hand accidently brushed up against the moss on the statue and a powerful surge of primal energy arched throughout his body before dissipating just as quickly. All this pointed at one improbable conclusion, that this was a waypoint to the feywild, but such occurrences only happened deep within dense forests and uninhabited wild lands. Not around a statue to the Raven Queen in the middle of a town.
"That would be lovely. Thank you, Markus. I may have to sample the cinnamon rolls myself. As to Rhogar, the, uh hound there...if it's not too much to ask...I'd be happy to pay for lodging for him. He could use my room, in fact. I don't mind sharing." Cognast makes a show of scratching the druid behind the ears with great affection. "It's been a long journey. Just for the night so I can have him in out of the elements. It's important to keep them civilly minded, you understand. Keep them around folk so that they know instinctually friend from foe, safety from danger."
Scrambling backwards in a fit of excitement, terror and unbridled anger Hohenvar can only take shallow breaths as his mind runs wild with this discovery.
No, no, no! His thoughts cry out. This cannot be. This should not be!
Realising he might be drawing attention to himself the barbarian quickly pulls himself upward onto his feet and stumbles back to the inn. As soon as the door closed on him he hears the tail end of Cognast's quick explanation for Rhogar. Putting that information aside for later the Wilden quietly, cautiously, sidles up behind the Half Elf. Tapping his shoulder, pulling his attention away as surreptitiously as possible, Hohenvar tries to convey the startling news that now plagues him.
"We have...a 'problem' to say the very least," he whispers in Elven, hoping to avoid Markus' prying eyes and ears while simultaneously making sure Varis doesn't listen in. "Something, or someone as these things usually proceed, has opened a path to the Feywild right under and around the statue."
He waits for the information to sink in before pressing on.
"Unless a god was provoked, an incantation was been uttered or some wayward disaster shifted the planes this should be impossible. Either way I am not liking this one bit."
As Markus is going about the business set on him, Cognast excuses himself to receive Hohenvar's news. The knight narrows his eyes and tries to wrap his head around the information. Planes-study was never his strong suit. Well, arcanum in general had always caused him problems. He could almost hear Ousaniel scolding him. As quietly as possible, he jerks his head at Cassandra, and whispers to Hohenvar, "Cassandra. Tell Cassandra what you've told me. If you can, try to suss out with her which possibility is most likely. That sort of magic is well beyond my reckoning, and she seems like our best bet. I'll keep the townspeople's attention and try to keep prying eyes off of your business. Though, on a summer evening with foul magic afoot, I doubt you'll have many onlookers."
Making sure that no one is paying attention to him he sidles amiably over to Brinna and whistles at Rhogar, again making a show of being the affectionate hound master. He tries to convey his apology on his face as he shares the Hohenvar's revelation. For a moment, his veneer of control slips and he admits it in a whisper - "I'm more than a little out of my depth here. Do either of you have any ideas?"
The halfling's eyebrows rise a little as Cognast explains what appears to have happened in Millhaven. "Dunno, never been there," she admits freely but unhelpfully, adjusting the sash around her waist. "You say it's under the statue," Brinna half muses out loud, half enquires. "Maybe there's really something down there?" she suggests, tapping her foot against the inn's floorboards to emphasise the 'beneath the ground' part of her notion, then shrugs. It's not much, but it's all she's got as things stand.
Cognast grimaces. He should have thought of that, he knew. Worse, he couldn't fathom that the local cleric was going to be thrilled with the idea of excavating the town's favorite landmark.
He turns back to Markus and Varis, gesturing towards a table. "Would you two mind joining us for a drink? You seem like the sort of fellows who pride themselves in staying connected to their towns, and I'd like to get to know it through you. Michael and Varis shared much of the town's history and current troubles with us on the journey here."He slides into a seat in front of one of the vacant tables and removes his wallet, careful to make sure that it wasn't apparent it held a single, lonely gold coin. Which should have been enough for more than an ale or two. "What's the general opinion on this vicar your son is fetching for us, Markus? People here are a gods-fearing, faithful sort?"
Diplomacy: 1d20+1030 AW SNAP. Me and the innkeep. Bestest buds (TM).
So, if anyone else has any money, we may be able to endear ourselves to this guy, and possibly get them to drinking. Should we do Endurance checks to
keep from getting sloshed ourselves? I don't want them too liquored up before the priest gets there, as that might look bad, but maybe if I seem really friendly and amiably and willing to spend money in a place I sleep for free we can get some information.
Increased fear of death is something a priest stands to benefit from. But mainly I want to start digging ASAP. Or find out if there's something else below the statue that everyone's neglected to mention.
@Iodwilk, did you say the rate of decomposition was accelerated? Like, it's not simply that corpses are decomposing, but that they're decomposing at an alarming rate? Or just the regular speed?
"Cassandra?" Hohenvar surreptitiously shoots a glance over at the Halfling. "Chaos Sorceress, right."
As Cognast beguiles the innkeeper and others with more of his dashing charm, the Wilden once again passes by his other comrades, sharing similar looks of concern and urgency, before bending at the knees slightly to Cassandra's eye-level. Filling her in as much as he can, Hohenvar lays forth a plan that could narrow down any possibilities.
"If there really is something under the statue or some external force manipulating this kind of event, it'll be up to us," nodding over at Rhogar, the barbarian continues. "Rhogar will be helpful as well, but we're in a tight position and appearances must be kept. While Brinna and Cognast can manage, I'm sure, it'll seem odd if more than a couple of us leave. I'll need your expertise around town if we're to gleam any sort of knowledge about what could cause this."
Suddenly realising the complexity of combing the entire town, another option comes forth to Hohenvar's mind.
"Or if the priest is on his way, we can wait until he arrives and then investigate his own lodgings. There should be information pertaining to the statue in his quarters, somewhere."
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El SkidThe frozen white northRegistered Userregular
edited October 2011
"Hmm... I actually do have some experience with Fey magic." said Cassandra, looking up from changing Frankie. "Let me think for a moment..."
Rhogar did his best to keep his mumbling sounding at least partially feral.
"Hohenvar and myself should investigate tonight. A creature of the feywild and a druid would be able to discern more than a knight, a buff midget, and a mother." He sounded almost condescending when speaking of the natural world.
"And, if all else fails, I can scan the village from above with the eyes of a hawk, perhaps gathering some much needed information of the layout.
Markus seemed unsure about having a drink during his working hours, but Cognast seemed like the respectable sort so he obliged to share a drink with the knight. "Oh we're very fond of Father Tyrol, he's a nice cheerful man, and always knows what to say to those who have suffered a loss in their lives. As for being god fearing folk, I'm say we have more of a respectful and honest view towards the gods, especially our patron the Raven Queen."
Meanwhile Cassandra was busy trying to remember any useful information from her days of an apprentice regarding fey magic. It must have been her speciality since she remembered that things like statues of gods or divine monuments usually inhibit the formation of interplanar portals, except to the realm of their attuned deity. For such a portal to exist where it is, there must be a focus relic to keep the portal stable and prevent it from dissipating. Such a relic must be kept close by to the portal, no more than a hundred feet from it.
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El SkidThe frozen white northRegistered Userregular
edited October 2011
"AHA!" said Cassandra triumphantly. "I remember now! There must be some sort of item that is keeping the fey presence on top of the focus of a god's power. Something within a hundred feet from here, at most... We should take a look around and see if we can find anything."
"Hmm, alright he has a point," Hohenvar continued to whisper, his rasping voice barely catching the ears of Rhogar and Cassandra. "Cassandra, stay here with the rest and when you get a chance alert them of our plan. Rhogar, be prepared to shift forms once we're outside and keep your eyes peeled."
Standing back up to his full height, the Wilden tried his best to appear casual as he walked over to the table Markus and Cognast were seating themselves into. Giving a very sincere shrug and a jerk of his head behind him back to the faux-warhound, Hohenvar eased out a convincingly awkward excuse.
"Sorry, but a certain matter needs attending to," put on the spot, and not exactly the most adept at social improvisation, this provided the barbarian with enough pause in his voice to seem half-hearted and apologetic. "I'll take Rho outside myself. Please, uh, don't hesitate to start without me. I, may even take a look around the town. Get a feel of our surroundings."
Leaving with one last nod and a grunt, he ushered the druid with himself into the open. As soon as the door closed shut behind the two, the Wilden snapped into a more predatory mindset. A familiar state of mind, and more comfortable one if he was completely honest. Narrowing his eyes he scanned the most immediate vicinity for any particular structures that caught his attention; buildings, shops and most importantly the village church.
"Teach your dog not to call me a midget," Brinna mutters to Cognast as she steps past him and fairly effortlessly climbs onto a chair, sitting and letting her legs dangle. "A drink, please. Make it a stiff one," the halfling tells the innkeep. It's about time for one, she feels, everything considered.
Hohenvars initial scan of the town yielded no special results, the buildings facing the statue seemed rather simple; there was the inn, a bakery, a tailor, and a few common households. The local temple was about a hundred yards from the statue. As the widen searched the nearby area, he began to notice very tiny footprints, in the dirt in between some of the nearby buildings. Regardless of where he found the footprints, they all seemed to indicate that whoever they belonged to came from the town square, but once the wilden entered the main streets he lost the tracks in the well maintained and frequently used streets. In each of the alleyways the footprints would end at a crate or barrel or any other object that would be beneath a window into one of the buildings in the alleyway. Sometimes there were tracks of the object being pushed or dragged towards the windows. These tracks led to two of the households and the tailors building, but further investigation showed similar such tracks leading into other buildings outside the main square. The windows into the buildings did show markings of being forced open, but with a very skilled hand.
After making a note of the tracks, the wilden went to inspect the temple. On his way there he passed many children playing in the streets, most giving him a curious look, and a tall, lean, black haired man in gray robes being led by one of the innkeepers sons. The mans robes were devoid of any markings, though he did wear a chain bearing the symbol of the Raven Queen. The priest gave a startled and surprised look at Hohenvar, before continuing towards the inn. Hohenvar continued to inspect the grounds of the temple, it was a simple temple, made of stone with a pair of massive thick wooden doors. Like most temples in the nation it looked the most defensible in town, and was probably the designated safe hold in case of a marauding army. For a temple to the Raven Queen it did lack a graveyard connected to it, but considering the towns previous way of handling the dead such a thing would be a massive waste of land. Instead the was a beautiful garden with all appearances of being constantly taken care of. Inside the gardens though, he did find two small stone structure appeared to be small crypts, though no markings of family names were on it, and the doors were firmly locked. The wilden did notice a lack of the tiny footprints he saw elsewhere in the town.
Inside the tavern, the grey robed man entered and was immediately ushered towards the private meeting between the rest of you, Varis, and Markus. The man walked over to the table, and sat himself down in a calm and composed manner, resting one hand over the other ontop of the table.
"My name is Father Tyrol and I am a shepard of the Raven Queen, and spiritual guide of those within this town."His voice was very smooth and he spoke in a slow and self assured manner."I've been told that you folks are here to help us with our current problems. I must begin by saying that I do have little faith in you adventurer types, as I've learned that most of you care more about financial gain than moral and spiritual growth. I am told by one of our hosts sons, that the plant like man I saw in the streets is with you. How...coincidental that the moment this corruptive moss begins to grow on our blessed Queen, you arrive with a plant golem."
A glass of wine is brought to table for Father Tyrol and he takes a casual sip of it before smiling at each of you."Am I right to assume that if we do not offer an appropriate reward for you to solve our problems then you will leave and we shall continue to be plagued by this. But if the reward is substantial than you will stay, and will very likely solve this mystery, have everything return to normal and you will leave. Then you will be richer, and more ready to handle this bizarre case as it happens to occur in a town you are coincidently near as well?"
Completely bewildered by these footprints Hohenvar can't fathom from what they must've come from. Even with a keen eye and his knowledge from the Feywild, nothing clicks within his mind. All he can muster is that they are obviously related to this entire incident. Scanning around the area, the garden holds nothing of interest to the barbarian aside from it being quite noticeable and devoid of any evidence of the mystery creature. Giving an indecisive shrug to this so-called investigation Hohenvar decides to enter the temple itself. If he can't find any clues there then this entire situation would need some reshaping.
Cognast fights hard against the urge to grind his teeth at the insult and can't help but surreptitiously lay a steadying hand on Brinna's wrist. In his mind's eye, he sees the halfling reaching out and slamming the priest's head into the table for his insolence. He tries to ignore how much the image amuses him.
Aloud, he says, somewhat pointedly, "Father Tyrol. I'm most pleased to make your acquaintance. The young master," he says, indicating Markus' son, "did us honor by not gossiping or divulging overmuch." He smiles at Markus. "That's a smart and considerate lad. What he might have told you, were his manners worse, is that I am Sir Cognast re'Iouni, Knight-Hospitalier of the Bellum-Iouni. You may be a man cut of a different cloth, but I'm sure you've nothing but respect for your brothers and sisters in faith, such as myself. By my oath and honor, I could not let the will of any creature bear ill to the fates of this place, these people, or any others. Fate is the gods' domain. My Lady teaches us this. Rest assured, I've no interest in discussing any sort of compensation until I even know if and how I can help you. In point of fact, I refuse to indulge in such discussions beyond this one." He bows his head slightly, hoping that he didn't let too much condescension slip into his words. Priests of the Raven Queen might as well have been death cultists to a man such as Cognast. They served a mortal who bested fate itself to achieve immortality. What knowledge she hid, what secrets she preserved offended the quest for knowledge he tried to embody. "The being you passed is Hohenvar, a staunch and dependable warrior if ever there were one. I realize that worshipers of the Cold Queen may not ascribe overmuch to logic, but surely you can admit that troubles you've been having for weeks now couldn't have been the doings of a creature that's only just arrived."
He indicated to Brinna with a hearty pat on her back."This is Brinna Coastwell. Have you any untoward thoughts for halflings, as well, or is it just the fey that are unwelcome in Your Lady of Death's worship?"
The diplomacy is so my snarkiness isn't too horrid. I mean, I want him to be offended, but I want it to sound like a polite rebuke of his hoity toity attitude. I think the roll actually matches the text really well, lol.
Anyway, the insight is because I want to know what crawled up his ass and died. I instantly don't trust that he doesn't seem to want this fixed.
Fixing the priest with a cold look, Brinna gets up and stands on the seat of her chair, hands planted on the table. "Are you saying we're frauds?" she asks him, her voice low and her eyes hard.
Posts
Letting his current look work to his advantage, Hohenvar doesn't even pause to offer the townsfolk a waterskin before he kneels down to their eye-level. By now he's as close as he can possibly be, yellow-green eyes staring directly at each of them while his gnarled fingers drum a steady rhythm on either his belt or scabbard. Giving a sickening snap of his jaw, and a gaping gust of wind that accompanies his yawn, the Wilden gives them all one more look before finally speaking.
"I think the more pressing question, the one I'm very curious about right now, is," another awful grind of his jaw accompanies his interrogation. A jagged, bloodied splinter of bark, knocked loose during the battle, falls dead before the prisoners' eyes. "Why did you run from your town?"
I think that will do. Any and all questions we have should be answered shortly.
They each took a grateful sip from Cognasts waterskin, before one of the men spoke. "H-h-how did you know we were running away from Millhaven?" The man looked at the his companions before turning back to the group of you, unsure of exactly who to speak with Cognast, or Hohenvar. "No there were no others who had left the town, we were the first to leave. There's always been goblins amongst these roads, its why we hired Varis as an escort." The man motions his toward the elf.
"Fat lot of good he did though," spat the woman eyeing the elf with contempt.
A look of shame crosses the elf face as he picks up where the man left off, "Yes they hired me, and yes I failed. As for the goblins taking prisoners in the past, it hasn't happened as far I know. Usually they only attack solitary travellers, never anyone who looks like they can put up a fight. Now can you please untie us?"
"You didn't answer my question!" He barked, startling even himself with the outburst. However he could tell they were holding back and information was needed. If he had to, Hohenvar felt like he would go to many lengths to continue his enterprise as well as keeping the ones around him relatively safe. "Why. Did. You. Leave?"
His patience was running thin, and looking up at the sky by the looks of it so was time.
"Now please, before we untie you, enlighten us as well as to how you came into contact with this elf."
Playing bad cop is fun.
"The towns being haunted, it started off with odd sounds being heard at night, sudden movements in the corner of your eye but nothing there when you look. Then things began to disappear, small things like brooms, children's toys, tools. That's when we began to notice the moss, it was growing around our statue of the Raven Queen, and spreading out from it. Two nights ago, the statue glowed a pale green light throughout the night and when the sun faded, little Jorel, Williams son, was missing."
Her voice was coarse and rough and each of you could see slight tears forming in the corner of hey eyes. The women shouldered her eyes as best as she could due to her bindings, then put on a stoic and determined face, looking Hohenvar square in the eyes. "Now if you'll please untie us now, we'd like to get as far as we can from that town, any bloody goblins still here, and you brutes."
As he helps Varis to his feet, he hands the elf the paring knife to free his two charges. It seemed only fitting that he at least perform that duty to earn his pay. "You seem like the trained, educated sort. Follow my reasoning: if the goblins' tactics have changed enough that your guidance wasn't enough thus far, how confident are you that you can get them to Melian? Return with us to Millhaven. We'll surely sort out this strange idol business quickly. There's room in our caravan, and my warhound, Rhogar-" he whistles dramatically, hoping Rho would catch the hint. "-could stay very close by at any time to help protect you on the remainder of the journey."
And, Cognast thinks, keep his ears open for anything they might not talk about in front of a Knight Errant or his travelling companions.
Of course, we could simply compel them to return with us. I'm giving them the option to do this the easy way. Either way, Cognast is not comfortable with anyone leaving Millhaven until we've sorted this out. Varis seems like a mercenary sort, a ranger by trade, if I had to guess. The other two have abandoned their lives and their destiny to the manipulations of others - that's no good on the Ioun fate-o-meter. I want to keep everyone in that town and make sure no one has a reason to be up to no good with the statue and townsfolk's superstitions - through sorcery, science or shenanigans.
The goblins' convenient change in tactics is also alarming. Makes me feel like they knew people would be fleeing from this town. And they weren't shy about assaulting a troupe of armed adventurers either. Everything stinks, I guess is what I'm getting at.
One of the men opened his mouth to speak, but was quickly silenced by a look from the woman. He shrugged and said,"very well dear."
Varis looked at the group of you and then back at his fellow former captives. "I did give you my word that I would escort you to the city, but I'd rather go back to town, I have a family to protect and these folks look like they could actually help us."
The women gave Varis a look of pure loathing,"Good we don't want you to take us anymore, we'll be out of the woods soon and we should be fine from there. You were useless anyways you knife eared bastard" With that said she turned around and headed down the road, stop only to turn around and make sure that her husband was following.
The fourth man looked at the couple and then towards the group of you and Varis, "Forget that, I'm going back to town with you guys. I'm Michael by the way."
He turns to Michael and Varis, scanning Varis for any insult the lady's racism may have caused. "I'm glad you can see reason. Anything I should know about the lovely couple over there? Any reason besides the recent events in town that she'd be so eager to leave?"
"I know what you're suggesting, and though she is a pain in the ass she is harmless." interrupted Varis ,"now perhaps we should head on our way, and I wouldn't mind looting those goblins for some weapons. One of those bastards took my bow, and I'd rather like it back over leaving without it."
It was a simple town that focused primarily on farming, though Varis was the towns chief hunter and part of the local militia. They would occasionally have to deal with any hobgoblin who fancied himself a war boss by having more than 10 goblinoids following him, but they were quickly dealt with. Other than that the town was rather normal.
The exception being religion within the town. Most if not all of the towns populace were followers of the Raven Queen, and in the centre of town is a massive statue to their patron deity.
Whenever someone in the town would die their body would be wrapped in shrouds and placed before the statue. For three days it would remain there untouched by the townsfolk, or wildlife. No scavenging animal such as crows, wild dogs, or even insects would go near. At the end of those three days, the corpse exposed to all the elements looked the same as when it was first placed there.
At some point during the third day the body would simply vanish. No one knew why or how but it did. It had even become a tradition for young boys about to enter upon the age of manhood to spend the third day watching the body to see what happens to it. Yet there is always a single moment when regardless of how many boys are watching, there is a second when no one is, and that's when the body disappears.
Then a few months ago, Loretta, a local girl had died from a poisonous snake bite. The traditional ceremonies were observed and her body was laid by the statue. To everyones horror the next morning crows were seen pecking at her exposed face. On the second day the smell of decay could be smelled from the corpse, and during the night the boys tasked with watching the body had to fight off a pack of coyotes. During the third day several of the boys saw her body sink into the ground like a biscut sinking into a thick stew.
At first people said Loretta had offended the Raven Queen in some terrible way, but a week later Tristran died of old age, and the same events happened to his remains.
At around the same time people began to see and hear odd things. Sudden movements out of the corner of your eye, the sound of someone whispering near you even when you're alone. Then random items began to disappear out of peoples homes. That's when the moss began to grow at the base of the statue and with each passing day it grew slightly further up that statue where when they left her legs were entirely covered.
As was said earlier two nights ago the statue began to glow a pale green light and at dawn a child was missing. They spent the whole day searching for the boy but he was never found.
As Varis shows you towards the local inn you notice few people outside but those that are give you odd looks. A few children even run up to you asking if you were circus folk here to put on a show.
The inn, The Ravens Wing, was in the centre of town giving you the chance to see the statue. It was an impressive sight being around twelve feet tall and made entirely of marble. It showed a regal looking woman in long robes and a hood over her head. Her right arm was outstretched with her hand opened in a beckoning manner. Her left arm held a book clutched against her chest. Green moss had grown up the statues legs and ended at her waist.
A tall, skinny, red-headed man came out of the inn followed by what appeared to be his sons. "Greetings travellers, I am Markus, owner of the inn you see before you and you are more than welcome to stay at my establishment." At that moment he noticed the markings on Cognasts armor and smiled even more. " and of course you're lodging fees will be free of charge to you folks.
"Queer business," she mutters in response to the villagers' tale, frankly without a clue what to make of it. Apart, maybe, from paying lip service to Avandra once in a great while, Brinna isn't and has never been religious, and finds herself thoroughly out of her depth as regards the bizarre events in Millhaven. Not the best way to kick off her adventuring career, she thinks to herself. Reaching the town and getting to lay eyes on the sacred statue in person provides no useful insight, either. If anything, it makes it a little harder to imagine such strange things happening in what looks to be a humble enough place.
"Brinna Coastwell," the halfling introduces herself to the innkeep, saying no more for the time being. There are a couple of uneducated guesses and suggestions that come to her mind regarding the town's alleged haunting, but right now she sees no point to voicing them. She doesn't doubt that the people of Millhaven – people more familiar with their religion at the very least – have tried and considered these things already to no avail, and while Brinna feels quite certain that she is out of her element here, she'd rather not admit to her ignorance already.
Stumbling a little with his choice of words, casting a furtive glance between the innkeeper and his two sons, not wanting cause any unwanted panic with what little tact he had, Hohenvar realised something. Quickly glancing behind him back outside he approaches a nearby window ignoring any looks he receives. Clutching the window sill he peers back out towards the town center, most importantly at the statue. Tilting his head from side to side, as if rearranging his thoughts in such a physical manner, he steps back after a few long moments. Something Varis and Michael mentioned itches his mind in a way that can't be brushed off. Not just yet. Facing the rest of the group and the few townsfolk before him, he gives a minor shrug before making his way to the door with purpose in his stride.
"I have to check something," he says, this time throwing out any previous courtesy he had out the proverbial window. "Rhogar I may need your help, keep an ear out."
And with this he is out the door.
Making a bee-line directly for the statue Hohenvar stops several feet short. He eyes the stone carving, the green moss entangling its base and the ever-neutral gaze of the Raven Queen. Drumming his branched fingers against the hilt of his axe he wonders if he should continue. Peering around at the emptiness of what he was told used to be a thriving town, the lack of children playing and no activity that would make any city jealous he settles in for his choice. Taking several steps forward the Wilden kneels down low and presses his palm to the soil right near where the bodies are usually laid. Spreads the dirt around for a few lingering seconds before running his fingers through the earth. Taking a deep breath a low hum emanates from the crease that is his mouth, a noise not unlike the sound of branches swaying or leaves rustling. An expression of displeasure, almost pain runs across the scarred features of the barbarian. He's noticed something odd, but he can't be quite sure.
Knowing my luck I've just angered some primal beast of the deep that swims beneath our feet...
Actually I'd be okay with that, because that sounds really cool haha
"Markus, I am Sir Cognast re'Iouni of the Bellum-Iouni. Your hospitality to my order and my comrades is deeply appreciated. Hohenvar means no disrespect in dismissing your generosity. I assure you, he's a pleasant enough fellow. We'll set ourselves up in our rooms and then - if you don't mind - I'd like to reconvene with yourself and Varis, the ranking cleric - I presume there's a temple in the area - and the head of your local Watch or Militia, if I could intrude upon you to fetch them." Quietly, he says to the innkeeper, "For that conversation, my colleagues and I would appreciate relative privacy. You may want to excuse your children for the evening. We have some matters of importance to discuss, and I'd rather not upset them."
To Rhogar, he quietly says, "I wouldn't ask you to keep up the ridiculous hound pretense for much longer, but I'll let you make the decision. Given how rather human this area seems to be, they may not be comfortable with a fae, a half fae, and a pair of halflings traipsing about, let alone a dragonborn foreigner. The town seems small enough that such bigotry isn't unheard of in my travels. I leave it to you, my friend. But you may be a perfect pair of clandestine ears for our time here."
Frankie started running around in circles as the Halfling picked up her staff from the carriage- she was looking weary from the trip, during which Frankie had very little room to run around, and so had had to be kept constantly occupied. Luckily Rhogar had been there- the druid had been an excellent companion for the child, as well as a bed a couple of times when the child had tired himself out.
He turned to Cognast and let out a quick bark, hoping his intention of "I get a bed" was carried across well enough as he nosed towards the hotel.
A tug alerted the wolf, but he managed to keep his tongue down, as he noticed Frankie happily tugging. He turned around, sniffing and licking the child, having grown fond of the diminutive humanoid.
Regardless of how much his new buddy liked a big "puppy" to play with, Cognast owed him BIG for this.
As introductions were being made, Hohenvar decided to immediately investigate the statue. Once he was within a few feet of the statue he felt a wave of conflicting emotions washing over himself. As he examined the area he tried to put a sense of meaning behind the emotions and finally settled that it felt like he was at home, that he was somewhere very familiar but at the same time it had been tainted by something. It was as if he were a soldier returning to his former village that had been raided and burnt to the ground during the war. He then noticed that though it was a warm sunny day, his breath could be seen as if it were the winter, and a slight chill ran throughout his body. Then the wildens hand accidently brushed up against the moss on the statue and a powerful surge of primal energy arched throughout his body before dissipating just as quickly. All this pointed at one improbable conclusion, that this was a waypoint to the feywild, but such occurrences only happened deep within dense forests and uninhabited wild lands. Not around a statue to the Raven Queen in the middle of a town.
No, no, no! His thoughts cry out. This cannot be. This should not be!
Realising he might be drawing attention to himself the barbarian quickly pulls himself upward onto his feet and stumbles back to the inn. As soon as the door closed on him he hears the tail end of Cognast's quick explanation for Rhogar. Putting that information aside for later the Wilden quietly, cautiously, sidles up behind the Half Elf. Tapping his shoulder, pulling his attention away as surreptitiously as possible, Hohenvar tries to convey the startling news that now plagues him.
"We have...a 'problem' to say the very least," he whispers in Elven, hoping to avoid Markus' prying eyes and ears while simultaneously making sure Varis doesn't listen in. "Something, or someone as these things usually proceed, has opened a path to the Feywild right under and around the statue."
He waits for the information to sink in before pressing on.
"Unless a god was provoked, an incantation was been uttered or some wayward disaster shifted the planes this should be impossible. Either way I am not liking this one bit."
Making sure that no one is paying attention to him he sidles amiably over to Brinna and whistles at Rhogar, again making a show of being the affectionate hound master. He tries to convey his apology on his face as he shares the Hohenvar's revelation. For a moment, his veneer of control slips and he admits it in a whisper - "I'm more than a little out of my depth here. Do either of you have any ideas?"
He turns back to Markus and Varis, gesturing towards a table. "Would you two mind joining us for a drink? You seem like the sort of fellows who pride themselves in staying connected to their towns, and I'd like to get to know it through you. Michael and Varis shared much of the town's history and current troubles with us on the journey here." He slides into a seat in front of one of the vacant tables and removes his wallet, careful to make sure that it wasn't apparent it held a single, lonely gold coin. Which should have been enough for more than an ale or two. "What's the general opinion on this vicar your son is fetching for us, Markus? People here are a gods-fearing, faithful sort?"
So, if anyone else has any money, we may be able to endear ourselves to this guy, and possibly get them to drinking. Should we do Endurance checks to
keep from getting sloshed ourselves? I don't want them too liquored up before the priest gets there, as that might look bad, but maybe if I seem really friendly and amiably and willing to spend money in a place I sleep for free we can get some information.
Increased fear of death is something a priest stands to benefit from. But mainly I want to start digging ASAP. Or find out if there's something else below the statue that everyone's neglected to mention.
@Iodwilk, did you say the rate of decomposition was accelerated? Like, it's not simply that corpses are decomposing, but that they're decomposing at an alarming rate? Or just the regular speed?
As Cognast beguiles the innkeeper and others with more of his dashing charm, the Wilden once again passes by his other comrades, sharing similar looks of concern and urgency, before bending at the knees slightly to Cassandra's eye-level. Filling her in as much as he can, Hohenvar lays forth a plan that could narrow down any possibilities.
"If there really is something under the statue or some external force manipulating this kind of event, it'll be up to us," nodding over at Rhogar, the barbarian continues. "Rhogar will be helpful as well, but we're in a tight position and appearances must be kept. While Brinna and Cognast can manage, I'm sure, it'll seem odd if more than a couple of us leave. I'll need your expertise around town if we're to gleam any sort of knowledge about what could cause this."
Suddenly realising the complexity of combing the entire town, another option comes forth to Hohenvar's mind.
"Or if the priest is on his way, we can wait until he arrives and then investigate his own lodgings. There should be information pertaining to the statue in his quarters, somewhere."
"Hohenvar and myself should investigate tonight. A creature of the feywild and a druid would be able to discern more than a knight, a buff midget, and a mother." He sounded almost condescending when speaking of the natural world.
"And, if all else fails, I can scan the village from above with the eyes of a hawk, perhaps gathering some much needed information of the layout.
Meanwhile Cassandra was busy trying to remember any useful information from her days of an apprentice regarding fey magic. It must have been her speciality since she remembered that things like statues of gods or divine monuments usually inhibit the formation of interplanar portals, except to the realm of their attuned deity. For such a portal to exist where it is, there must be a focus relic to keep the portal stable and prevent it from dissipating. Such a relic must be kept close by to the portal, no more than a hundred feet from it.
Standing back up to his full height, the Wilden tried his best to appear casual as he walked over to the table Markus and Cognast were seating themselves into. Giving a very sincere shrug and a jerk of his head behind him back to the faux-warhound, Hohenvar eased out a convincingly awkward excuse.
"Sorry, but a certain matter needs attending to," put on the spot, and not exactly the most adept at social improvisation, this provided the barbarian with enough pause in his voice to seem half-hearted and apologetic. "I'll take Rho outside myself. Please, uh, don't hesitate to start without me. I, may even take a look around the town. Get a feel of our surroundings."
Leaving with one last nod and a grunt, he ushered the druid with himself into the open. As soon as the door closed shut behind the two, the Wilden snapped into a more predatory mindset. A familiar state of mind, and more comfortable one if he was completely honest. Narrowing his eyes he scanned the most immediate vicinity for any particular structures that caught his attention; buildings, shops and most importantly the village church.
Alright, time for the Shaggy and Scooby to investigate!
After making a note of the tracks, the wilden went to inspect the temple. On his way there he passed many children playing in the streets, most giving him a curious look, and a tall, lean, black haired man in gray robes being led by one of the innkeepers sons. The mans robes were devoid of any markings, though he did wear a chain bearing the symbol of the Raven Queen. The priest gave a startled and surprised look at Hohenvar, before continuing towards the inn. Hohenvar continued to inspect the grounds of the temple, it was a simple temple, made of stone with a pair of massive thick wooden doors. Like most temples in the nation it looked the most defensible in town, and was probably the designated safe hold in case of a marauding army. For a temple to the Raven Queen it did lack a graveyard connected to it, but considering the towns previous way of handling the dead such a thing would be a massive waste of land. Instead the was a beautiful garden with all appearances of being constantly taken care of. Inside the gardens though, he did find two small stone structure appeared to be small crypts, though no markings of family names were on it, and the doors were firmly locked. The wilden did notice a lack of the tiny footprints he saw elsewhere in the town.
Inside the tavern, the grey robed man entered and was immediately ushered towards the private meeting between the rest of you, Varis, and Markus. The man walked over to the table, and sat himself down in a calm and composed manner, resting one hand over the other ontop of the table.
"My name is Father Tyrol and I am a shepard of the Raven Queen, and spiritual guide of those within this town."His voice was very smooth and he spoke in a slow and self assured manner."I've been told that you folks are here to help us with our current problems. I must begin by saying that I do have little faith in you adventurer types, as I've learned that most of you care more about financial gain than moral and spiritual growth. I am told by one of our hosts sons, that the plant like man I saw in the streets is with you. How...coincidental that the moment this corruptive moss begins to grow on our blessed Queen, you arrive with a plant golem."
A glass of wine is brought to table for Father Tyrol and he takes a casual sip of it before smiling at each of you."Am I right to assume that if we do not offer an appropriate reward for you to solve our problems then you will leave and we shall continue to be plagued by this. But if the reward is substantial than you will stay, and will very likely solve this mystery, have everything return to normal and you will leave. Then you will be richer, and more ready to handle this bizarre case as it happens to occur in a town you are coincidently near as well?"
Well...the low rolls were coming.
Aloud, he says, somewhat pointedly, "Father Tyrol. I'm most pleased to make your acquaintance. The young master," he says, indicating Markus' son, "did us honor by not gossiping or divulging overmuch." He smiles at Markus. "That's a smart and considerate lad. What he might have told you, were his manners worse, is that I am Sir Cognast re'Iouni, Knight-Hospitalier of the Bellum-Iouni. You may be a man cut of a different cloth, but I'm sure you've nothing but respect for your brothers and sisters in faith, such as myself. By my oath and honor, I could not let the will of any creature bear ill to the fates of this place, these people, or any others. Fate is the gods' domain. My Lady teaches us this. Rest assured, I've no interest in discussing any sort of compensation until I even know if and how I can help you. In point of fact, I refuse to indulge in such discussions beyond this one." He bows his head slightly, hoping that he didn't let too much condescension slip into his words. Priests of the Raven Queen might as well have been death cultists to a man such as Cognast. They served a mortal who bested fate itself to achieve immortality. What knowledge she hid, what secrets she preserved offended the quest for knowledge he tried to embody. "The being you passed is Hohenvar, a staunch and dependable warrior if ever there were one. I realize that worshipers of the Cold Queen may not ascribe overmuch to logic, but surely you can admit that troubles you've been having for weeks now couldn't have been the doings of a creature that's only just arrived."
He indicated to Brinna with a hearty pat on her back. "This is Brinna Coastwell. Have you any untoward thoughts for halflings, as well, or is it just the fey that are unwelcome in Your Lady of Death's worship?"
The diplomacy is so my snarkiness isn't too horrid. I mean, I want him to be offended, but I want it to sound like a polite rebuke of his hoity toity attitude. I think the roll actually matches the text really well, lol.
Anyway, the insight is because I want to know what crawled up his ass and died. I instantly don't trust that he doesn't seem to want this fixed.