"I am afraid we simply do not have enough information to make any sort of educated guess. I especially think it premature to suspect the involvement of the Way. That would be a little too neat, don't you think, for them to be behind the troubles both here and in Ravengro? Anyway, we had best get going; we have a limited time-table to gather what evidence we can and get back in time for the start of the trial."
"I am afraid we simply do not have enough information to make any sort of educated guess. Anyway, we had best get going; we have a limited time-table to gather what evidence we can and get back in time for the start of the trial."
Valen nods at Vaghn's statements. "Maybe so - but the notion that the Beast is a construct under someone's direction would better explain the sort "organized" destruction he caused in that workshop."
He seems uncertain what to say about the origins of the cloth. "I guess we best put it on the list of unusual things about this theft - maybe we'll find a sign to link the evidence. I tend to think Vaghn's right and best get going to Morast before it is too late."
Sorry. I though that the first time I asked about people from those lands and the second time about anyone who liked exotic fabrics such as Qadiran silk. I thought that it was two different questions which might have gotten a different answer. If he does not know either, that is fine.
Sounds good, I do not think I am going to get any farther. I will ask Vaghn to see if he can ask around about anyone at the university or in town who prefers exotic Qadiran silk clothes, especially green. But, this will wait for when we are back from Morast.
Lets get going and see what this next part of the adventure holds.
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After purchasing mounts, your group heads out shortly before noon. Luckily, Morast is only a few hours away and you arrive about two hours later. Morast is a small hamlet in the Dippelmere Swamp (about 8 miles east of Lepidstadt) and is a miserable collection of twenty or so wattle-and-daub hovels built on stilts above the swamp, each connected by soggy wooden boardwalks.
"How, er... rustic. I've lived in Lepidstadt all my life, but never visited Morast before. I guess we should try to find who is in charge and learn what it is we are even looking for here."
Madeline sits atop her horse and looks for where the establishments are that one might retire to, stable said animals etc...
Smith dismounts and leads his animal to beside his Mistress awaiting her instructions.
Valen scans around with a sort of warm look in his eyes. Although Crow's Bridge was not as rustic, the simple surroundings remind him of his former home. "My guess is a probably a village elder or priest, if there is one. I doubt anyone else will trust us much as outsiders - especially anything that seems unnatural from what they are used to." He glances at Madeline as he says this while also adjusting his hair to best hide his ears.
Madeline 'huffs' at Valen's aspersions, even as she adjusts the black silk scarf which keeps her midnight tresses protected.
"Perhaps the traveling caravan we spent time with on our way to Lepidstadt might wend its way through here occasionally?" Madeline asks, even as she indicates for her servant to help her down.
"Master Kaleb and his traveling troupe?"
Smith fixes his horse in place before gently lifting down his Mistress.
Valen does his best to look presentable as they people approach. He glances towards the others for some sign of who will speak. If no one else does, he gives a simple greeting and says:"Good afternoon, folks."
Alexa simply looks about attempting to see anything of note in the town. She is specifically looking to see what the folk here do for a living and for any people who appear to be in charge or look like they are out of place.
She will also look for anyone that appears to be better dressed than the rest of the crowd.
Perception:
"No sir, we are not, and very astute of you to notice right off. I am Professor der Grafft, from the University, and these are my compatriots. I'm sure you've heard that the Beast has been captured there, and we understand that said same Beast was recently causing trouble in your fine community. We have come to ascertain the extent of its crimes, and collect what evidence we can, so that justice might be served. Is there anything you might be able to tell us about the recent incident you had with the Beast?"
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"AWait? What? Yer telling me it's alive? When ol' Lazne and we runned it off, we seen it attacked by a blood caiman - err... a swamp croc.... and it bit a big chunk outta it. I don't know how it lived through that? But yeah, it killed ten of our folk. If it still lives and yer keeping it in the city, well, good luck to you then." The man spits into the grass again.
"Ten people? That is horrible, I am very sorry for your loss. Attacked by a blood caiman you say? Interesting. May I ask what chunk it was that was bitten off? For that matter, do you think you could show us where you found the Beast when you drove it off?"
Madelie pulls out her pencil and pocket book, beginning to quickly scribble notes as information is divulged....
Alexa stays behind and allows Vaghn to be the social face of the group. With the mention of a giant croc, her eyes open somewhat.
Knowledge(nature): <-- are such crocs common to the area?
Madeline finishes her notes and steps closer to Alexa,
"What manner of creatures is this..." She slides her pencil along her lines of test, "Um... 'Caiman'?" She asks, ready to add a definition to the page.
"That would be much appreciated, good sir. Yes, I should very much like to speak to Herr Lazne."
Alexa looks over at Madeline:
A big crocodile. Common in this area. Might be big enough to swallow you whole, most are only big enough to just take an arm or leg off though.
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"Okay then. Just you sit tight while we fetch him."
The men retreat, still talking amongst one another. They move to a nearby tree, about sixty feet away, and continue to watch your group. You can see them talking, but can't really hear them. After a few minutes pass, an older man, with ruddy skin and a white, ragged beard, starts toward you from the village. As he gets closer, you can tell them man is easily in his late fifties and is annoyed.
"Yeah, what do ya'll want?"
Madeline takes notes as per Alexa's information, though she does glance at the other woman,
Trying to gauge the truth in her words. Though, since Alexa has never been one to exaggerate before Madeline has no reason to doubt her 'Wilder' colleague. Madeline frowns...
"Um...excuse me?" She looks for the fellow that first addressed them as they walked into 'Town',
"What do you mean by," She looks back at her notes, " 'And we runned it off...' ?" Madeline asks, seeking more information for clarification.
As the man approaches, Alexa watches for any signs of deceit or ill will.
Sense Motive: <-- really trying to get a read from any answers he gives to the other party members' questions
Valen also remain fairly quiet - trying to gauge the mood of the townsfolk at the news that beast is still alive. There is some reflection in his eyes, as he considers the small town.
"Good sir, I am Professor der Grafft of the University. I am here in an official capacity in order to investigate the heinous crimes purportedly committed by the Beast in your fine village. I know the events were tragic, but I am assured that you are the most knowledgeable person in all of Morast, and the best suited to aid us in our quest for justice. We are truly grateful that an important man such as yourself is taking time to help. At this point, anything you can tell us would be helpful: the nature of the attacks, where they took place, where you found the Beast, where the caiman attacked it when you ran it off, anything you remember about the way the Beast looked or acted, what part of its body was savaged by the caiman, and of course the no-doubt grand story of how the villagers of Morast drove away the deadly interloper. Every detail you can give us will bring us one step closer to bringing justice for the poor folk you lost to this tragedy."
"I understand you are a very busy man, but surely you can spare some time for the pursuit of truth and justice?"
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"Well, you seem like a nice enough boy, so I reckon I can help you out."
Lazne clears his throat and says, "Well, first we knew, the Beast was only attacking folks at night. Then it gots bolder and all, starting attacking folks in them homes. I got tired of it and gathered up a posse of folks, setting us a fine trap for it. We laid in wait for it. When it lumbered into the town, we sprang on it, got a whole bunch of torches and croc-hunting spears - the real long ones."
Lazne takes a moment, spits into the grass, then continues.
"We wounded it, and it was huge, almost seven feet tall. We ran it into the water, but before it could get away, we set on it in our boats. We ran it all the way to the Boneyard. It was cursing us, too, calling us all sorts of names. I think the city whores got cleaner mouths. Anyway, we ran it to the Boneyard and about the time it got there, luck on our side...."
Lazne makes the sign of Pharasma, then continues.
"Blessed Queen of Graves must have been on our side that night, cause a big ol' caimen roared up out of the water and lept at it. It was bowed down I guess, cause the caimen managed to get it on the shoulder and pull it down into the water. Pulled it right under and started a death roll. The waters were churning like butter, yellow and brown, blood gonna everywhere. We had to leave the Boneyard, since I reckon such bad thing would spoil the whole area - and we ain't burying none of our good folk on cursed grounds and the like. So we done and went and built a new grave site for our elders and all. Still, I'm a bit surprised the Beast done lived. I mean, that caimen had it good. Dead to rights I reckon. Still, if you city folks done gone and captured it, good on you. I reckon you should just go and burn it, save us all a lot of trouble if it gets loose again."
Lazne stops for a moment, obviously thinking, then says, "I reckon I can take you to the site if you want to see where it all done gone and happened. But only ya'll. I aint't taken that one..."
He points at Smith.
"I ain't got a good feeling about that fella. He's a bit too pale for my liking."
Madeline arches an eyebrow.
"Albinism. It happens across all species. My Manservant would rather seek a proper wage than the vagarities of a Carnival freak show." She informs the fellow icily. Defend8ng the person in her employ/care.
"We very much appreciate your indulging us. Madeline, I am sure Herr Smith will be fine staying here to make sure the horses do not wander off, as I see there is no stable here. Perfectly understandable. Perhaps my friend Valen here, who happens to be a servent of the Lady of Graves, could even reconsecrate the Boneyard for you, while we are there."
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Lazne looks at Madeline and replies, "Albino or not, sumthin' aint right about that fella. He's too quiet and keeps lookn' at me all weird. Plus, I ain't ever seen no fella with metal woven into his arms like that."
When Vaghn speaks, Lazne looks over and raises an eyebrow. "Priest of the Lady you say? Well, I ain't one for trying to reclaim our Boneyard, but any blessings your priest might have for our new Boneyard would be welcome."
"Perhaps we can stop by the new Boneyard on the way back then. Please, lead on, good sir."
Quietly to the others when he gets the chance: "Things already aren't adding up. Lazne said the creature they drove off was less than seven feet tall, while the Beast is over eight. Also, a golem's magically treated flesh is resistant to all but the strongest blows; the villagers spears would have been little more than an annoyance to it. The caiman's bite may have done some damage, but arcanomotons do not heal as living creatures do, not even when they have gained sentience, er, at least I'm pretty sure that wouldn't change it. Anyway, the point is, the damage he claims the caiman inflicted would have left some sort of mark that would still be there, unless the Beast's master is still around and magically healed it. None of this is proof, of course, but things sound odd indeed."
Valen has been listening intently - trying to discern clues from the story as well. At Vaghn's offer, he bows his head and adds: "It would be an honor and Pharasma's will to bless the new Boneyard, Master Lazne. The Grey Lady seeks peace for your dead - that they may go safely to her judgment. Once we have examined the area, I shall proceed to do as you ask."
As an addition to Vaghn's observations and quietly, Valen adds:"Cursing...he says the Beast cursed them greatly. In our conversations with him, that Golem - self-aware as he was - was almost...child-like in the way he spoke. If Lazne is to be believed, that doesn't even sound like the Golem we met - unless the controller can speak through him with its own voice."
Madeline acquiesces to the man's request, instructing Smith to stay and guard the animals.
She continues to walk along with the others, deftly moving the hem of her skirt with one hand, her note book and pencil held in her other.