Cerilis shakes his head...
Well Sorry to say this but your finest inn is a den of evil. So it's reputation is in the outhouse right now. Especially now that there are dead bodies all over it. Discretion is out the window right now. We can try to keep things quiet but I have a strong feeling the town will know soon enough what is going on. This sorcerer is in the grove...ok any other rumors...anyone you trust that we can go to for aid. Is there anyone you feel is part of this evil group. I think we can help you but we will need some help as well. Healing, do you have any healers around town that you trust, or potions..wands, scrolls...anything at all will help us.
"I think the grove or temple is our next stop," muses Ravenna. "Healing and trustworthiness in one package."
"I'd like to be healed, and I like groves of magic. That seems like a good spot to head, to be honest."
"Int believe Arete will always protect me, but a little healing is always for the best."
The mayor looks genuinely distressed as he tries to think of who he can really trust. After some thought, he speaks.
"Well, some in town believe she is senile, but given the information that you just gave me, you might want to talk with the widow Vilma Merridie. Let me show you where she lives."
The mayor pulls a map from his drawer and points to the abode where she lives.
"As for healing, you could try the temple, though it seems attendance has trailed off."
Let us try the temple
Why not all of those locations, the grove, the temple and the woman?
Looking at the map the Mayor has unrolled on his desk, Cerilis points to three locations.
Lets go across this bridge to Lady Merridie for some information if she has some that is...and then we can stop by the temple. This building here is the temple correct?Pointing at a spot on the map and looking at the Mayor for conformation.
Then we can head over to the grove here..
"Yes, that big building there is the temple, " the mayor replies to Cerilis's question.
Zirul takes a good look at the map. "Since time is of the essence we may want to hit the temple first." He puts his finger on the mayor's house on the map and slides it along the road "Since I'm sure we will be taking this road here...following it around we will run into the driveway of the temple before reaching the drive of Lady Merridie." He continues along the road "We will then continue straight along the road to the grove."
Thanks for your assistance, Mayor. Augier leaves with the others.
Looking at Zirul,
That is true, we would be at the temple first. We could get healing if it is available.
Cerilis stops and thinks for a moment and then turns towards the mayor
What do you mean attendance has trailed off? Is this because people are leaving the faith or leaving the town? To whom is the temple dedicated to?
"I'm uncertain exactly. I just don't see the usual throngs of villagers at the gates like I used to," the mayor replies in earnest.
Ravenna squares her hat back on her head and says, "Well, that was a fortifying breakfast. Let's find out what happened at the temple - maybe the local priest can tell us about some of the people who used to visit but don't any more, and we can find out what happened to them."
"The temple is dedicated to Merikka, " he adds.
curious...
Cerilis stand still while looking at the map...
He starts to mumble
sometimes the best hiding place is the one in plain sight...
He looks at the map, scanning it again and again.
The Inn...the constable? What is the connection?...The grove...people leaving...coming back different or off somehow...what am I missing
Cerilis turns to the mayor.
When did the people start to leave and when did they start to return...when did attendance at the temple slow down....
Cerilis looks back at the map, his gaze seems distant as he contemplates the information.
Am I just seeing something that is not really there?
The mayor seems astonished at the question. He can't seem to recall when it all began and at that, he flushes red with embarrassment and starts to make excuses for what he perceives as a dereliction of duty on his part.
"I can't say I recall," he says slightly irritated with himself, "it must have been last harvest or something as I am certain that I was very busy to not have noticed."
The Temple of Merikka is the only stone structure in Orlane. A wall of granite blocks surrounds the temple, and sturdy wooden gates give access to the courtyard as they are currently opened. The adventurers can easily see the temple as they approach because it sits at the highest point of the marshy town, a full twenty feet above the stream and pond.
An acolyte hurries to greet the newcomers in the courtyard and quickly inquires of their need.
"Many blessings of Merikka be upon you. How may I assist you this day?" he says.
Greetings. Several of my friends have need of your divine healing. We would be more than happy to donate to the faith for such services.
Welcome. The cleric is not available at the moment, but I have two healing elixirs that I can give to aid you for a donation to the goddess of 200 gp, each. , the young servant replies.
That is very generous young man, how many doses in each elixir?
There is one dose per vial, sir, he states.
Augier looks at his friends.Let us pay out of the pool we have, I think it is only fair we all chip in. Or maybe see if there is one of those magical wands of healing.
Ah...I see, Well I am sorry good sir but that is a bit to much for my taste.Turning towards Augier Augier, I doubt we have that much coin between all of us...
That is a price hike if every there was one. Never seen that... tactic...before......Shi*!! Ah FU&^ ME!
Turning back to the young man
We will just try our luck at our final destination. Good day to you. Come on guys we have wasted enough time already. We need to make up some time so let us get back on the road.
Cerilis tries to usher the others out of the courtyard with as much calm and politeness he can muster.
He starts to scan the area for other members of the clergy.
There are two other temple acolytes sweeping the stairs to the entrance of the temple.
Ravenna notes to the team, "It makes sense, they don't know us, we're strangers to town, there's no reason for them to give us any special consideration."
I am sorry you are not pleased. You are welcome here anytime, but we do bar the gate at dusk.
Are you really certain Cerilis? We'll have to wait a day for us to regain our magic.
Cerilis responds to the dwarf as he walks out the gate.
I am certain. The feed for the horses wiped out our common coin. We have no more funds till we get paid and the sooner we get back on the road the sooner we can get paid.
Once outside he will whisper to the dwarf as the walk.
I will explain my concerns when we are all together and away from this place. First we need to get away from this place now.
Once the party is down the road a bit and far away that none inside the temple could hear...
Alright everyone we need to be even more on guard. I am not certain about it but I think that the young man back there is not part of the clergy. There has been something off about this town that I just am unable to put my finger on. I do not know about your experiences with temples but I have never had anyone ever give me a request for a donation with an exact number. I have dealt with churches in the past and when you are buying something they do not call it a donation. They are selling you something. I once ran into a con like this before, it was a few years back. I was in small town like this and I found out that when you went to buy something the price was inflated big time. Those that could pay for such items were never seen again but their items that they bought would be back on the shelves ready to be sold again. Those that refuse to pay such a price were found dead along the roads leading out of town. I am beginning to think that a guild is operating out of this town. Which one I am not sure...but we must tread lightly for if I am correct...well they tend to have a long reach and a even longer memory.
He looks back at the temple and then down the road.
We might have stumbled onto a slave trafficking town. If we are going to be tackling this group...it is all or nothing. We can not give up halfway through.
We gotta be sure though, how many are in on it? How many are innocent? I don't want to have to cleave through some poor shopkeeper just because he lived here.
"Well, I think our first bet would be to see if we can get some intel inside. If we step out of town for a bit, I can bring some aid from the wildlife, and ask them to go scout the inside of the building. Alternatively, if we can find a household nearby with a cat or dog, they likely have some intelligence I can coax out of them."
Zirul gives Siondel a sideways glance. "How many animals can you talk to?:
"I can use the spell once today, but I can communicate and attract the attention of less hostile creatures with a little time and food. I imagine a rat or mouse could gain entry to the temple, scout around, then I can hold onto it until the morning when I can speak with it again."
Makes me regret not getting a familiar.
"Aye, Jax, they're most than just useful. They're friends you can rely on in even the toughest of circumstances."
Siondel lays a hand fondly on Medved's head, scratching the bear behind the ears. It is a bit disconcerting, such a large beast acting like a housebroken pet, especially with the reddish brown stains around him muzzle and paws.
"And if the worst happens, and they fall to violence or accident, you can honor their spirit and eat them."
Siondel smiles weirdly at the last, looking decidedly creepy in the near dark of the forest.
looking around the area, Cerilis's voice remains calm.
We should keep moving, I do not think we should reamin in the area.
When the talk of investigating the temple comes up...
I am willing to investigate the temple if need be. I am not in the best of shape right now but if we decide that it is needed...I will do it.
looking back toward the area that would be the mayors house
The mayor has given us some leads, we should follow up on those. People will be up and about so now is as good a time as any to get some answers. That women the mayor spoke of Vilma Merridie...her house should be somewhere around here. I think we should seek answer there before we continue on.
Zirul points in the direction of 20 on the map. "If we want to talk to the elderly woman, if my memory serves me, is that direction. And if she turns out to be friendly she may allow us to camp in the woods near her property. This way if we'd like to sent a scout to the temple we won't be to far away."
Indeed, best be on guard though. Um...What about the bodies we left behind? There is still on alive there we were going to question.
That sounds like a good idea.
Cerilis starts to walk towards the old lady's house.
Brilliant flower gardens surround this quaint little home. Clean shutters flank several large windows, and fancy curtains are visible inside. The building is sheltered by several large elm trees. The door is shut, but you can see inside. There is an old woman resting in a chair, knitting some unrecognizable garment.
Before you can even knock on the door, the woman is slowly getting out of her chair to answer the door. She stops briefly at a small table to grab something before opening the door. The process takes around two minutes total from when she rises out of the chair to when the door slowly creaks open.
"Oh, you must be the gardeners that the mayor sent over to pull my weeds," she gleefully emits. "Here, can you please put this on the table next to the rocker?" she requests as she hands Augier a glass vase with an odd stick in it. " I should like to spruce up my porch."
"Shall I put on some tea, for when you finish the yard work...so kind of that mayor," she concludes.
Right away Ma'am. Augier carefully puts the vase on the table.
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Jax shruggs and smiles, finding the elder lady endearing "Only the finest elven gardening for you, Ma'am. If you point me towards the weeds I'll start right away. Siondel, may you help me?"
After the lady points them in the direction, Jax heads but pass close by Zerilis, Zirul and Ravenna. "Use this opportunity to question her, might as well have her happy with her garden." the elf whispers with a smile.
"Cultivating and organizing beautiful flowers with next to no artistry or balance. Look at all these straight lines and inorganic designs. Humans have next to no eye for such work!"
Medved happily settles down to sleep in the afternoon sun while Siondel grumbles and badmouths human gardeners. He does remove the weeds and undesirable plants, leaving the place more harmonious and beautiful than when he arrived.
"Bet you a copper this old woman tries to poison us with tea, wants to steal our kidneys or some such madness..." he remarks to Cerilis, happily covered in dirt, leaves, and pollen.
Cerilis give a soft smile
Well if she does, I am willing to bet that it will be your kidneys she takes first..
He turns to the old woman as she comes out to her porch
Lady Merridie, You have a lovely home. The mayor did send us over and we were hoping that you could help us. Just sit down and enjoy our company. We will be happy to tend to your garden and enjoy some tea while we do so. The mayor said that you might be able to help us out with the local situation. We have seen some odd things happening in the town as of late. Do you know of anything odd happening in town?