The peculiar twig in the glass vase gives off a faint dew over, enough to make Augier suspicious. He checks his magical knowledge and determines that it is in fact a curing wand and is fully charged.
Hmmm Augier thinks. This would be very useful, but if she put it here by mistake it would be wrong to take it.
The old woman smiles at Cerilis and moves to the kitchen to get her teapot. She is gone for about five minutes, but comes back with a shaky tray of cups and the pot. She sets one out for everyone and begins to slowly pour the teapot. Her bejeweled fingers steadily grip the pot as she pours wine into each glass.
I asked the mayor to send his sons over to help me weed, so I could plant some marigolds. They are supposed to repel pests you know, leaning in to Cerilis to let him know of the well-kept gardener's secret.
They mayor said that he would send over his sons, but I didn't know he had so many. And pointy ears too, huh? Anyway, I have got to get those marigolds planted with the strange things that are going on... I mean, I told the mayor that crocodiles were coming up out of the swamp, walking on two legs no less and crawling up over the temple wall. I think he thought I was crazy, but I don't accept visits from clerics no more. I know what I saw.
I just couldn't take care of the farm anymore after Harold died, I sure do thank you boys for coming. How is school going? she adds.
Augier helps her place the tray down. My goodness! Crocodiles? Well we'll get these marigolds planted in no time.
Ravenna doffs her hat and after a moment tries to play along. "Oh, well, we've learned a lot today. Um, we've had our own problems with pests! Maybe they should plant marigolds around the inn, too."
"What was that about two-legged crocodiles? Going into the temple, you say?"
Yes, and I haven't been to the temple since. That family across the road has been acting strange as well. Used to be real nice, the little ones'd come over for cookies from time to time, now they don't even wave. What's more is my cat has gone missing, poor Mr. Jenkins. Does your mother have a recipe for that date bread? the old woman rambles on?
Oh my mother has wonderful bread that she packed into my lunchbag. Those firm heavty slices kept me going all day! Augier is very confused now on whether the old woman really is senile or faking it.
"Two legged crocodiles, crawling over the walls into the temple, eh? By any chance were you able to smell them from your position? Did they reek of swamp gas and rotting meat?"
Siondel looks for evidence of the cat anywhere, be it a bowl, bed, hair, or whatnot.
"The folks across the way, is that the family with 3 or 4 girls, couple of cows in the field?"
No honey, she replies to Siondel. They have grown up now, but they do have a little child. Would you like some more tea?
We will make sure the flowers are planted. Mam, you seem to have a keen eye for what goes on around here. What else is strange around town.
Just a little more tea, thank you. This is indeed a very nice tea. Nothing like a spot of tea after work, I could try to get some good scones or muffins for you.
Oh, that would be very sweet dear, she remarks to the dwarf.
I guess that people avoid me as some sort of gossip or just plain laugh at my description of goings on and write me off as mad. Some families still come around and provide me with a pension by giving me laundry to wash and socks to darn and what not, your wonderful mother and his honor the mayor included. Oh, please don't forget to take that wonderful plant that you placed on the porch to your mother and tell her thank you for the wonderful fruitcake that she brought last week. She is of course referring to the glass container with the stick.
Where was I? Oh yes, I think something has happened to the carpenter's family as they keep odd hours and vacantly stare for hours on end. He used to work really hard around town. The smith has always been mean, but I don't trust him either. There is an odd pair of gentlemen living next to your house, maybe you have seen them? I hope that they don't bring harm to your family. They are always skulking about, asking questions. This all started about a year ago, when the clerics went missing from the temple for a week and then suddenly reappeared as if they had never been gone. Of course you cannot repeat any of this as I have promised your father, the honorable mayor not to mention these things to anyone. I am scared after all, being a widower gives me time to get a good look at the people in the village, but also leaves me vulnerable to whatever madness has fallen upon us. I certainly hope Mr. Jenkins is okay and not gator bait.
Would you like to stay for dinner?
Augier takes the stick. Indeed I will take this, and dinner would be delightful, of course we will help set the table and clean up. Augier hands the stick to Siodel. Healing wand
Have you been to the elm grove lately. One of the ladies that drops off her laundry said that some mysterious sorcerer has taken up residence there. She thinks that he may have something to do with this.
She shuffles into the kitchen and returns to the dining room twenty minutes later with six plates full of uncooked ears of corn, still enshrouded in there husks. Take your shoes off boys and wash your hands. Who would like to say the blessing?
Augier blinks at the ears. We may indeed visit there. Augier clasps his hands and says a prayer to Nethys before unhusking the ear and digging in.
As she goes into the kitchen
Dinner would be great, we will stop back in later tonight after we finish our other chores. We will finish planting the flowers and be on our way.
As she comes back with food
Umm ok we will stay for dinner then..
We would love to stay for dinner.
"A helpful item, certainly. And one she had just laying in a jar on her porch? Interesting."
Siondel sits and politely picks at the uncooked ear of corn.
"So, the house across the way, you said? The one with grown children was where folks were acting strange?"
Ravenna holds the ear of corn in one hand and looks at it incredulously for a moment, glances over at her companions, realizes that nobody is going to surreptitiously cook it with magic, and then just continues to hold it while listening in.
Yes, that is correct. Perhaps you can stay after dinner and help me find my cat, Mr. Jenkins? I have mending to catch up on. Do make sure to tell your mother and father that I said hello and thank you for coming to help me with the yard work. the old woman says.
Zirul sits back listening to everything the old lady has to say and quietly trying to mentally translate some of her ramblings while the more eloquent members of the party do the talking.
Augier finishes his raw ear of corn and takes his plate. Let me help you clean up. Augier takes the plates to the sink and when the old lady leaves, whispers to the others. Umm...So let us get some rest perhaps and then look around town?
"Medved, let's look for that cat. Come on, buddy, seek."
Siondel looks for evidence of the cat around, starting a search in a spiral from the cat's bed (or wherever it seems to sleep the most) out to look for it.
Medved survival:
Siondel survival: (+2 if Medved gets 10+)
There is no sign of a cat, or evidence that a cat has been anywhere on the premises.
Poor old human woman. She is likely approaching the time of her death, her mind has certainly decayed already.
"Ma'am, when was the last time you saw your cat? And what did it look like?"
Augier tugs on Siondel a bit I think we can head off, she'll forget about us soon enough
Very well, healing and then check out that spellcaster
Siondel uses the wand on himself:
CLW
1 charge expended, fully healed.
"Okay, who's still injured?"
CLW to Cerilis
CLW to Zirul
CLW to Zirul
CLW to Zirul
Wand has 45 charges remaining.
"So, all patched up and ready to say hello to our friendly neighborhood sorcerer?"
Ready
"Ready!"
The party of out-of-towners heads towards the grove. The narrow trail winds among the majestic elms, at times dis appearing into thick shrubbery. The bushes between the trees are dense, rising to a height of eight to ten feet. The elms themselves average seventy-five feet tall, and are the only trees here. They are widely spaced allowing much sunlight to pour into their ancient boughs.
Zirul keeps a sharp eye out for anything out of the ordinary.
Cerilis head moves from side to side, keeping a close watch on the area.
Cerilis catches sight of a weasel standing on two legs watching the approaching band patiently and still until he locks eyes with Cerilis and then darts off into the bushes.
Augier keeps following, being very wary of the area.
|
Jax turns to the others with a confident smile "We are now in my area of expertise... let me a couple seconds of advantage to go ahead and scout. I will return quickly if I find anything hostile or interesting."
The elf crouches and looks at the unknown laying in front of him "If the hostile instead finds me, you'll hear me." he attempts to joke as he moves forward, trying to evade loose branches and patches of crunchy leaves while keeping to the shadows and trees.