A flickering candle in the dark. (Inactive)

Game Master Helaman

Be careful! Don't go making the streets of my town run red.

"We shall not. Well, not unless we have no other choice, Mayor. Woe is the day that that comes to be. We only intend to poke our noses around a bit, find out what is really going on, and will try words before steel."

Assuming we are ready to go, we start heading towards this hilltop. Is anyone going to be terribly adverse to going without arms and armor?

I certainly don't need it.

From your position on the street you can see a grove or copse of trees atop the small hil that dominates the side of town you rode in on... However it is now late afternoon and the shadows have grown during your talk with the mayor.

It would be a 20 minute climb - doable before night fall to be sure but depending on when you departed you may well find yourselves walking back at night.

Not too sure I want to be wandering about without any weapon...bad enough Grimm had to leave his armor behind..lol. He would like to get his warhammer before the group heads up the hill..just in case!

So... Arming up? Armouring up too?

As the group leaves the Mayor's house Adran says, "Let's stop by the inn so people can get any items they might want before we visit the hermit"

got mine

Ill go without.

I will grab my sword just in case.

Might as well throw on the armor...you never know...

So, go ahead and fork over your own bail money. :P

Will be preferable to the cost of a raise dead spell!! lol

Adran will leave his armor off and stick with just his common clothes. He will take his handaxe with him.

You trek up the hill in the gathering darkness...

The narrow trail winds among majestic elms, at times disappearing into thick shrubbery. The bushes between the trees are dense, rising to a height of eight or ten feet. The elms themselves average 75' tall, and they are the only trees here. They are widely spaced, allowing some of the dying sunlight to pour between their ancient boughs.

There is a ramshackle cottage on the far side of this small grove. A small rodent, a weasel, watches you curiously from the small woodpile next to the cottage before ducking into the timber.

Adran calls out, "Hello, is anybody home?"

I will make my way to the front door, unarmed ans unarmored, to knock, ans looking for lights inside. Making certain I have my holy symbol out in plain sight, Ill just wait a moment to see if anyone answers, while trying to look friendly.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Grimm looks at the weasel and mutters to himself.

"You some sort of watchdog little fella? Might be we are already spotted, hmmm?"

He follows the others to the cabin and waits for Beckett to make their introductions.

Course someone is home you idiot!, comes a gruff voice from inside the rickety cabin. Question is who are you and why are you bothering me before I eat my supper!. The speaker is cantankerous to be sure.

Sorry good sir. We just wanted to ask about the disappearances recently and thought you may have seen something.

Adran replies, "My name is Adran. My friends and I are investigating the disappearances and other strange goings on in this area. We were told you would be a good person to talk to. Announcing ourselves as we approach is nothing more than an attempt at being reasonable."

"An' if you have a little extra to spare, I wouldn't be sayin' no, my friend." as Beckett hasn't eaten yet, and well, he's a growin' Dwarf and all.

"growin' Dwarf" sounds like an oxymoron. :-)

Yer kin stay outside! I ain't got enough t' feed you all! I'm bloody old don'tcha know

Strange event an all eh? Disappearances an' such aye? Not bloody surprising - there's a cult a slithering through the people here, yes there is and nobody really sees it but me... I see plenty from up here, yes I do - come back tomorrow. We'll see what you are made of after all that poking around.

Adran replies, "Ok, we'll see you tomorrow then."

Yes. We'll see if you have what it takes - namely lasting until tomorrow. If I see you after a prolonged wait? Well... Then maybe I won't be so friendly as tonight, comes back the voice.

Adran responds, "I've been taking care of myself for longer than you've been alive and my friends are no pushovers. We'll see you in the morning."

"Shall we bring you anything tomorrow when we return" Mala asks helpfully.

Anything at all?

Speaking a little louder than needed, making sure he is heard through the flimsy door, "Ah, don' bother. This old koot don't know nothing, just like everyone else in this misr'ble place. It's just their little Halflin' child games. Forget him." as he starts walking away, making sure his footsteps are loud at the start, and then letting them grow silent as he leaves.

Humans are so petty and stupid. :)

Bring a small cask of ale and a haunch of some smoked meat and we'll talk, the old mans last words.

Leaving you to descend into darkness.

The Tavern is just as gloomy as you left it. Only two farm hands talk quietly and the innkeep seems to around just in case you need anything before he retires to his bed for the night.

Ale on the house fer ya, the Innkeep says. Got a barrel about to turn - these have had their fill - enough for a tankard each

He takes a pull on a full tankard of his own.

Thank you, but I will stick with hot water.

While Gusteelus is suspicious, he has actually not drunk any alcohol since you have known him. When he can, he just uses his herbs and hot water.

Fine by me. Anyone else?

"Got anything from the Five Mountains area?" If yes, I'll take 2. If no, I'll just get "a beer"

"Whatever you have a cookin'. And a few eggs. A bowl of stew, maybe? Some bread. Cheese. And this," slidding over 6sp for the meal and an extra 4sp for tip, "is for all your hard work. Thanks, mate. We appreciate what you do."

Assuming that we get a meal with no issues, I'm sure as heck going to be offering a blessing (Purify <the heck out of> Food and Drink), should anyone want to partake in the simple rite of community and family.

The bartender gives a grunt of appreciation.

It's the only beer that's available.

Army life has taught me something very important. There are three groups of people you don't ever want to have not like you. Medics, goes without saying. They guys/gals that deal with sanitation (toilets, showers, water, etc), and the people that control food! Always tip highly.

Grimm heads back to his room to remove his armor and stow his hammer. He keeps his dagger with him before he rejoins his friends.

Food and drink flow and costs about 6sp plus any tips you give and you head to bed.

Anything before bed?

Adran covers the meal cost for himself and Rex. Adran is not overly suspicious of the ale and will have a mug of it.

However, during the meal, Gusteelus will "hear" Adran's voice in his mind:

"Benjan seemed to be worried about the tap room here. If you can get a chance to without being noticed, could you check it out please?"

Addendum: Adran will take advantage of Beckett's offer to bless/purify the food and drink. Adran will also encourage Rex to do likewise.

Please note Im staying at the barracks.

-Posted with Wayfinder

That leaves Gusteelus staying alone, or does Gusteelus want to change with one of the other Charcters - Mala asked for a break, I can have the woman bunk alone, which makes a little sense in this backwoods town

That works by me

Rex will just wander around

You must be tired because a heavy drowsiness leads to sleep in short order after dinner and whatever drinks you have, yes even water. Perhaps it's the country where most everyone goes to bed at nightfall.

You awake mid morning all in your beds (or barracks cot) refreshed and ready to face the day... All of you except Mala - her room is completely empty, though the bed is only roughly made.

Up early and finished with my prayers, I too am out and about. A beer for breakfast, Ill just wait at a table for the others. So, shall we go catch us a deer for the old koot in the house on the hill?

Rex will of course wander around the inn, accidentally seeing Mala's room. And will run down and will ask the Innkeeper What was Mala's room? The cleric of Sarenrae? Cause I think she is missing. SO what room is she in? Infact can you show me???

Whoa boy! Hold down and steady on! The lassy backed her stuff early morning and left - said something about checking something out on some hill. Don't ask me

He is concerned with Rex and his distress.

Adran will check on the other people staying at the inn before he has breakfast. Seeing that Mala has left, Adran is a little puzzled but not too worried. Given that she took her stuff with her this doesn't seem to be a "disappearance".

Adran will then go down to the dining room and wait for the rest of the group to show.