Nakoma also asks the following questions of her fellow guardsmen, hunters and scouts:
"Does anyone know where we can find a fellow named Unsul? Reportedly a smith, by trade."
"A group of half-orcs tore up the Ramblehouse something fierce, last night, and rolled out this morning. They stayed about a week. Did anyone see or hear tell of any such group? Go by the names Ormr, Tindr, Vifill, Vorom, and Rishka?"
"One more for you, and this one might be really important. A human man checked into the Ramblehouse last night, and left bright and early this morning. I'm sure you can see why this might be of interest." she pauses a moment to let that sink in. "No known name, but plenty of coin to toss around. Middle-aged: not old, not young. Plain looking. Brown hair, long in the back. Clean-shaven, or possibly stubble from a shaved beard. Travelling clothes, long brown cloak with a hood. Armed with a big sword on his back and a crossbow at his hip. Ring any bells? Did anyone see or hear a man matching this description?"
Zan and Zirelle
High Priestess Tyari rises and calls out the door for Sir Brantos. While she is waiting for his arrival she says, "Matter of fact, I believe Rodrik was here meeting with Katreza just yesterday morning. Didn't think anything of it at the time."
She smiles as the shining knight from Lastwall enters, nodding happily to her. "How can I help you, my...Oh, guests." he stops himself midsentenc and then bows low to you. "Brantos Calderon of Lastwall at your service. Friends of the Inheritor are always welcome here." He goes to shake hands with each of you, but when he sees Zirelle, he pauses flinching for more than an instant, the look of recognition crossing his face. "So," he says, quite a lot more coldly. "What can I do for you?"
When Tyari explains about Katreza and Rodrik, he replies in clipped tones, eyes darting to Zirelle frequently. "Yes, the Patrol Captain. He met with our guest, frequently. I got the impression that Grath was investigating something. Don't know what. He seemed to be very into it. Almost happy. Can't say why. Wish I could help more."
"I heard them once as well," volunteers the High Priestess refilling her goblet from the decanter. "Some muttering about ghosts, half-orcs, hopeknives, and white swords. I wasn't able to take any meaning from it, and wrote it off to the 'visions' of the old half-orc and the fictional creations of our resident writer."
Nakoma and Baldek
The duty rosters are available, but checking you see that Rodrik had taken himself off duty for the past few days. It appears Frum had covered for him on those shifts leading up to the hopeknife ceremony.
As Nakoma gets the attention of the rest of the gathered militiamen, none remember Rodrik having any unusual events on patrol, guard duty, or other assignments for the watch. Likewise, none remember seeing the plain-looking man you try to describe.
One soldier, a short man named Alexei, says. "I remember the pack of greenskins, I reckon. I was on guard duty a few days back, and a pack of them foul bastards came rumblin' in just before we closed the gate. They said they was traders, passing through towards Freedom Town, but they seemed peaceable enough, for breeds. They headed over to Ramblehouse, haven't seen 'em since, but if you think they've got something to with Rodrik, we can go house to house till we find 'em, and then string 'em up!" That rather violent and non-politically correct sentiment is agreed with by more than few of the guardsmen. "Jagrin says the only good orc is a dead orc! Goes for half-breeds too!" says one man from the back, his jaw set with anger. There are many voices of assent and nods of agreement to that sentiment.
No one seems to have heard the name Unsul.
"Thank you. Do you know if Rodrik left anything here? Have ye seen anything or anyone out of the ordinary around here? Is there anything more you can tell us about Katreza and how he came to be here? Does Katreza have any other guests? A lot of questions I know but I'm still not sure which ones are the most important."
Nakoma shakes her head at the offers of violence.
"No need to hand out death for property damage," Nakoma announces, "But if you see them we need them arrested for vandalism, they have hefty fines to pay for the damages done to the Ramblehouse, and I need to question them personally."
Nakoma scans the crowd for Frum, as Baldek asks after him.
Baldek and Nakoma
The guards settle a little under Nakoma's stern gaze, but still no one has seen Omast Frum all day. None of the guardsmen can offer any helpful suggestions of how to find him even.
Zin and Zirelle
"Why would Rodrik have left something here," answers Tyari curtly. "He had a room at The Longhouse and apparently another at Ramblehouse. He did not stay here, just came to talk with our guest."
Brantos says in answer to Zin's questions. "Katreza is quite ill. He has some affliction gained while among the orcs of the Empty Hand. He said it gave him 'the sight', but I have my own doubts about such things. He has no love lost for full-blooded kin, but has a soft spot for other half-orcs. Sometimes he had other visitors, but most often it was the young Grath boy, whispering notions to each other."
That was surprisingly defensive Zan thinks to himself. "Just asking to make sure. Did Katreza have any half orc visitors in the last week, if so do you know their names or distinguishing features?"
Nakoma nods at the guards.
"Keep you eyes open. That's all for now. Thanks for you time."
Nakoma leads Baldek out of the Longhouse.
"That was less helpful than I had hoped," she admits to him. "Still, we know Rodrik hasn't worked in days, which narrows down where he might have lost the journal and hope knife considerably."
She thinks for a moment in silence.
"Strange that no one has seen Omast Frum... That has me worried."
She thinks in silence again.
"Shall we look for Unsul next?" she asks Baldek. "Sarah might have heard of him, or at least know where to start our search. We can search the Commons on the way. Rodrik might have lost his journal or hope knife there last night."
Nakoma weighs Baldek's words carefully, then nods. "Agreed. But when we reach the Commons I'm going to search for Rodrik's things while we're there asking around. It's close by and a well-known gathering place."
Zan and Zirelle
Zan cannot determine if there is any meaning behind the clipped tones of the priestess, it could be that's just the way she is.
Sir Brantos answers with the forthrightness of an Iomedaen knight. "To my knowledge the only visitor Katreza had over the last week was Rodrik himself. They met often, sometimes more than once a day."
Priestess Tyari drinks from her goblet and says as sweetly as she can:"I am so sorry to cut this interview short, but Brantos and I have other duties to attend to at the moment, not the least of which is preparing poor Rodrik for burial. You will have to excuse us." She motions that you should start heading for the door,following close behind. "We are always so eager to help those that search for the truth. You are always welcome at Sanctuary should you need healing or other assistance from the Inheritor. Have a blessed day!"
Baldek and Nakoma
Nakoma looks at the bunk that was last occupied by Rodrik, but it is squared away, the corners of the bed tucked up neatly. It appears not to have been slept in for days. The locker at the foot of the bed is empty, as is the small closet next to it. If this was Rodrik's area, then it was cleaned up when he departed for Ramblehouse.
The small room reserved for Patrol Sergeant Frum is a different matter entirely. The place is an absolute mess. Broken crockery, scattered papers, a fallen chair and a rumpled bed make this place appear that the owner doesn't care about the neat discipline of the rest of the Longhouse. Looking around closer, you see several empty green glass bottles tucked under the bed. The bottles have the sweet, sour smell of mash whiskey. The bottles have a label on them, "The Killin' Ground" which is a popular bar in Trunau known for its moonshine. The bar is owned by Rufus Clarenston, a shady character known for working just inside the law from time to time.
Spending most of the afternoon talking to various people around Trunau, the group has little luck finding the whereabouts of Omast Frum. They do learn that Frum is a recovering alcoholic who gave up the bottle when his best friend, Jagrin Grath, lost his wife in an orc raid. Teh story goes that Grath asked Frum to be the boy's godfather, taking them in if anything ever happened to him, and from that moment on, Frum swore off the liquor, taking his task as mentor and protector of the Grath boys very, very seriously.
The information about Unsul is less useful. Few have heard the name and little is known about the person. One person suggests that Unsul is the name of the new half-orc smith that Sara Morninghawk just brought on at Clamor. Besides that, you learn little about this person.
At the Commons, you are surprised to find another of the white crosses painted on the ground in the middle of the meeting area. Knowing that wasnt' there last night, it leaves you scratching your head. There is no sign of Rodrik's knife or journal.
"Well, Frum certainly has a lot of empty bottles for a recovering alcoholic. Sounds like we should check the Killin' Ground for him. Even if we don't find Frum deep in his cups, Rufus Clarenston might have some information to give us."
"Unsul's a smith who works under Sara? Wait, don't you work under her?"
"We'll just have a word with Katreza before we leave thank you for you time." They might notice his statement is not a request. He doesn't want to keep sending people back here.
Nakoma thinks on this for a moment. Eventually she smiles. "Your own path." she nods in understanding. "Yes. I did the same, in my own way. Though
I angered a church by doing so."
"We'll just have a word with Katreza before we leave thank you for you time." They might notice his statement is not a request. He doesn't want to keep sending people back here.
Tyari and Brantos look at each other for a moment then the priestess says in her most calm voice, "But sir, I thought you understood, Katreza is not here. We don't know where he went. His bed was slept in but he was gone this morning when breakfast was served. In his state, he can't have gone far, but we have no luck locating him all day."
Nakoma and Baldek
The Killin' Ground is the most popular watering-hole in Trunau, but it also can be a dangerous and dark place. The tavern is really no more than a wooden floor with a tent from placed over it. When it needs a good scrubbing, the owner, Rufus Clarenston, takes down the tent and just lets rainwater in to freshen it up. A long wooden plank serves as a bar, and Clarenston is often found behind the plank, watering down drinks, serving to underage youth, or up to some other minor scheme.
This evening is no exception. The place if filled wiht 2-3 off duty guardsmen drinking to Rodrik's honor, and a half-dozen or so normal citizens, most of whom are in bad shape by this point in the day.
"Nakoma," says Rufus with a dour, gap-toothed grin. "Slumming with the dwarves, I see. Care for the usual?" he slams down a earthenware mug and reaches for another of the green glass bottles which line the shelf behind him.
"It should be no bother gracking him down for you then if you let us check his room. Hopefully there will be some useful clues there."
"I did nothing to her. She was not even in Trunau at the time." After a moment of silence, Nakoma explains.
"I am of the Lyrune-Quah--Shoanti who worship and venerate Desna, among others. My people were wiped out by giants, and I escaped. I was young then, nearly ten summers. I followed the stars and my dreams for days until I came across Trunau. I did not speak the common tongue, then, but eventually the Morninghawk's calmed me. I accepted their offer of hospitality, but was soon moved into the Sanctuary." She seems to be thinking for a moment, then continues. "I did not take to their rules well. Child or not by this city's standards, I was a warrior. I would not be separated from my arms, and I would not pray to Iomedae with them. I had no need of her, when Desna guided my spirit. The High Priest did not approve. I left after only a few weeks and moved into the Longhouse. I have lived there since."
"I have done nothing to Tyari. But her predecessor was unable to convert me to their faith. I imagine she inherited her dislike of me from him."
Nakoma shrugs. "Such is the way it has always been. It does not bother me overmuch."
---
"I've need only for answers," Nakoma replies to Rufus, completely ignoring Baldek's comment. "We've been looking for Omast Frum." she says simply, watching Rufus and the patron's reaction. "No one seems to know where he is. Have you seen him?"
Clarenston looks down at something below the bar, then turns to Nakoma his hands spread wide, "Now why would i've seen Frum? He ain't a drinkin' man no more, an' unless he's here to bust up a brawl o' you soldiers, he don't set foot in this place."
None of the other patrons intervene in the discussion though one of the soldiers turns his head to listen as surreptitiously as possible.
Zan and Zirelle
Zan pushes the paladin of Iomedae to take him to Katreza's lodging which turns out to be a spartan monastic cell down in the basement of Sanctuary. As they descend, Brantos says "I've looked through all this things for an sign of where he might've gone, but saw nothing. Like the priestess said,he can't go far as injured and lame as he is. I hope he is not hurt!"
You find the room is simple, with a bed and a small chair. There is no desk or other furniture. There is a small rug in one corner with a holy symbol nailed to the wall at kneeling height. The symbol is a mountain with the hilt of a sword sticking out from it, and it appears to have been shorn for a single piece of stone, burnished and polished to a high sheen.
A few books like around the bed, none of which are Rodrik's journal. There seems to be little sign of the missing seer, and the only evidence that he planned to return is the holy symbol still attached to the wall.
"I'm well aware he's been drinking, Rufus. I'm not interested in scolding him. I need to speak to him about Rodrik. It's very important."
He mentioned "ghosts, half-orcs, hopeknives, and white swords" ... all of those make sense to me except the ghost part. Do you think that he could have gone out to the cemetery, or the plague house where I have seen things stirring? He might have just been looking into the local rumors. Or were there white swords painted in town before today?
Zirelle searches very thoroughly, in case there is a hiding place somewhere.
Nakoma and Baldek
Rufus has been through to much with the authorities to give information easily. He shrugs at Nakoma as if to say, 'not my problem' and goes off to wash some bowls and mugs in the big washtub behind the bar.
Zan and Zirelle
No amount of searching turns up an evidence or indication of where Katreza has gotten off to.
Zan, if he is injured and lame, do you think you could track him? Do you have any skill at that?
Zan will look out the window if there is one... in the unlikely event the man went out that way. "I'm competent at it but that corridor's likely had people up and down it all day making it a bit of a lost cause. You get me a trail and I'll take you where it leads. Looks like we've dug up as much as we can here."
Could we pick up the trail outside? Wouldn't it be distinct from other people because of the lameness?
"I'll check the perimeter but there's a lot of factors outside of my control."
Zirelle explains to Zan that she'd met Brantos (she leaves off the Sir) before in Lastwall, and he obviously doesn't like her, but that it was a political thing, not a personal thing. Maybe having someone else talk to him would be wise, if you think he has any valuable information.
Do you think that we should track down the half-orcs from the Inn? Or maybe we should look into the ghost aspect?
"If we can't find any tracks the half orcs. There are some, less than open minded people in town, unfortunate but we can use it to our advantage. They'd make note of a group of possibly rowdy half orcs, might be a lot easier to ask around about them."
Sounds good.
Baldek and Nakoma
"Alright, alright!" says Rufus Clarenston with more than mild annoyance. "Frum was in here, bright and early too. He bought a half-dozen bottles of the hard stuff from me, paid way too much too! Said he was going to drown his sorrows. I did't press him on it, I took the money and didn't ask questions. Honestly, I don't know where he is, but wherever it is, I bet he's good and sauced..."
Zin and Zirelle
There is no possibility of tracking the lame half-orc inside the flagstone halls of Sanctuary. Searching outside for a long time, Zin just ends up frustrated. Too many people have come and gone over the paths outside today to make heads or tails of the tracks that are there. He sees nothing that indicates the passage of the half-orc seer.
Hmm, where could we look for them? Zirelle wonders.
Maybe we could ask at the Longhouse or some of the shops and see if they visited anywhere or if anyone knows there names, which I wrote in my journal so we could remember. ... You know what? Let's also check and see if anyone's been buying white paint... we found that all over their room. That would be a good lead, right? What places sell paint around here?