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You are in the city of Magnimar in Heidmarch manor. Venture Captain Sheila Heidmarch has called you here for a unique mission. "They city of Magnimar has asked the Society for a favor of sorts. It seems that one of their tax collectors has not reported back in after being sent to the small village of Ravenmoor. Normally this is not in your wheelhouse, but the bookkeeper Jeminda Anikee is a friend of mine and would like to keep this under wraps. The tax collector in question is her brother-in-law Elias Kyle and it has been two weeks since his last missive. So I want you to go to the village of Ravenmoor and find out what happened to him and to bring him back if possible. Also apparently he was there to collect some back taxes in the form of 500 gold, so if you can bring that back as well all the better."
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A stout woman arrives with a quick pace and readies herself to quick the door open when she realizes the door is already open.
She seems pretty dirty to you but smells of wood and moss. Splinters of wood are tangled in her dark hair. She looks at the other persons in the room and bares her teeth, letting out a snarl, as an animal would do. When she does so, you see that her canines are more developed than most humans' and seem to have been through a lot of whetting. She carries a big Orc Double Axe in her back.
"Helo evrybody. Name's MARDUK! What be MISSION? Collecting taxes? I LOVE DA COLLECTING PART!"
She says with a toothy grin and by smashing her fist inside her other open hand.
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Darius listens as Sheila Heidmarch tells the tale of a missing man and backdated taxes.
He looks around the room to see who else the society has sent along.
Another group of misfits and problem solvers. Just my kind of people! he thinks to himself.
"Good day Venture Captain. Thank you for calling me here, i've had little to do since my last mission for the society and was starting to grow bored. What can you tell us about this village we'll be going to? Ravenmoor you said?"
He tries to keep focused on the woman's words but keeps being distracted by the wild woman across the room.
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With their last mission taking part below the city of Magnimar dealing with a goblin threat in the sewers, Senketsu and their loyal companion hadn't left the Venture-Captain's lodge yet. Sat on an over large armchair with a cup of tea and listening intently to Sheila's briefing is a small bleached skin humanoid wearing a simple yet well made breastplate. From a casual glance it is difficult to tell the gray haired creature's gender.
At the Wayang's feet, an albino wolf lies stretched on the rug in front of the fire, perfectly at ease. Senketsu absentmindedly rubs the wolf's back with the base of their bare feet.
"Greetings to all of you," The creature bows their head as they talk. "This one is called Senketsu and this one's loyal steed is Yurei, it is an honour to make your acquaintance. We will find this missing tax collector, Honourable Venture-Captain."
"We don't know much as even Tax collectors haven't been out there in the last 15 years. That's actually why they haven't paid taxes as opposed to some negligence on their end. They keep to themselves for the most part."
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A middle-aged Ulfen man stand by the hearth and gives each member of the group a smile as they enter the room.
A pudgy man with fine clothes over a shirt of chainmail and a cloak clasped at his shoulder with a wooden holy symbol of Cayden Cailean. His clean hair and beard are white as snow, smell of perfume but are long and shaggy. He has set of bright green eyes, boisterous laugh and an easy smile. Being only of average height but seeming larger due to his outgoing attitude and loud speech. As his girth might suggest is very found of good food, drink and women.
After the VC announcement of the mission. Hyglak introduces himself to the group. "Hello and well met. I am Hyglak the Howler 7th son the Himmaw the Hacker a re-known hero in the Kingdom of Jol in the Land of the Linnorn Kings." He gives a slight bow and draws a flask and takes a pull of it. "Would anyone like some?" The Venture Captain gives him a look and Hyglak puts the flask away for now.
"Right, so fine the tax collector. Sounds easy enough."
"Well if you have no further questions, you should prepare to leave."
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Senketsu smiles at the Ulfen and tilts their head slightly as if examining them with their strange yellow eyes. The Wayang hops awkwardly to their feet from the chair and sets down the tea cup, a soft whistle is all ot takes to grt Yurei up and following.
As they reach the door, the Wayang stops suddenly and turns around, the question is perfectly innocent and softly spoken.
"Ah, where is Ravenmoor? Are we to walk there?"
Assuming the Venture Captain provides directions and that the answer to the second question is 'of course', Senketsu gathers their travelling gear and fits the saddle to
Yurei's back.
"It is rather far, almost 250 miles. You can take the Lost Coast Road or travel on the Yondabakari River which both lead to Galduria. From there you can travel on land the rest of the way."
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Senketsu shrugs, a comical affair coming from one so small and armoured, smiling to Marduk, they set off, Albino wold in tow, leaving Yurei to keep the saddlebags and saddle but not riding at the moment to save their poor mount the effort of carrying the armoured creature.
Slotted into the saddle stands a tall lance, around a foot taller than the Wayang with the pennon of a starburst on black, which must be Senketsu's personal heraldry. Senketsu straps their shield to their arm and buckles a longsword to their waist.
"This one does not mind the walk, best bring plenty of food and tent, will be long journey. Let us go!"
It takes a few weeks but the party eventually reaches the village of Ravenmoor. The only thing you notice about the area is the closer you get to the village, the more insects there are and they are a constant annoyance. As you approach the village you all hear something.
“Aaaaaaplesaaaauce! Here boy! C’meer boy!” followed by some whistling, as if a child were seeking a missing puppy. This comes from the tall grass growing to the left of the road. Senketsu hears something else, a soft rustling in the grass at the right side of the road.
The rustling turns out to be a tiny insect known as a stirge. It seems confused like a lost pet. It then 'beelines' towards Senketsu.
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As their journeys take them closer to town, Senketsu climb's into their companion's saddle and takes the time to enjoy the countryside. Hearing the odd cry, the Wayang's eyes dart about, before seeing a small buzzing creature next to them with a large pointed face.
"What manner of creature is this?" Senketsu exclaims, drawing their Longsword and attempting to shoo the creature away.
for
Senketsu easily swats the bug. Moments later, a little boy no more than eight years old bursts from the other side of the road. "No! Why'd you hurt him. He's just a-scairt!!" The little boy has a ragged mop of black hair, filthy home-spun clothes, and mud caking his hands and feet from his frantic searching for his pet. He cradles the now dying stirge in his arms, sobbing very loudly.
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Senketsu is startled by the boys appearance and looks at their drawn longsword in horror, as if they didn't mean to strike the creature so hard, just make it leave. Taking out their wand the Wayang offers it up to the party with a pleading tone.
"This one asks that you heal pet, this one did not mean to strike ao hard"
"Okay, you can heal him." The boy says regaining his composure after a few sniffles before handing Applesauce over to be healed.
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Marduk looks at the events uninterested and yawns.
Last mission I had for the society, I had to defend and hold positions against many waves of assailants. What am I even doing here?
"Goodz. Can we go now?" says the stout woman, not even troubled by the fact that a small boy has a stirge as pet. She was raised in an orchish tribe after all.
"Okay. I'm Ornigaard." The boys replies. Darius heals the stirge and it awakens. It is still injured but it is happy to be alive as it nuzzles the boys neck in a friendly fashion. "Okay, I have to put Applesauce in his cage now."
Ornigaard nods. "Yea, you should talk to my pa. He knows everything." The boy seems to be in fine shape, though he is covered in mud. Ornigaard leads you into town to his home—a simple farmhouse that lies just north of the town’s trading post. The boy yells out for his father and the man comes out of the front door. "Pa! These folk helped me find Applesauce." The boy exclaims. "Is that so? Well you're welcome to come in for a drink if ya like. What can I do for ya?"
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Senketsu follows the boy eagerly, not wishing to waste any more time than necessary before getting to the village so they can begin their task. As the group make their way to the simple farmstead, the Wayang will hop off Yurei and gives the man a bow.
"This one would be eternally grateful for a drink, may the Illuminator smile upon your family."
Placing a bowl of water for Yurei outside, Senketsu follows the man inside, walking slowly and with an awkward gait, as if being too used to a life in the saddle.
"This one and their Companions come at a request from our Honourable Captain in Magnimar, she has heard about possible trouble in the village and wishes us to help solve it if we can."
The Wayang smiles at the man, which is creepier than intended due to their bleached features.
"Trouble? No trouble here. There is the monthly Founder's Festival later this afternoon followed by our traditional Founder's Feast. You're welcome to join us and the rest of the village for it though. I just haven't seen any trouble lately."
"Iola Kriegler, of course. Priestess of Desna. You can find out more at the Festival."
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Senketsu sits gratefully at the man's table and excepts whatever drink is offered, sipping at the beverage the Wayang listens intently to the man's words and delights at the idea of a local festival.
"This one cannot wait to enjoy the festival. This one is also glad that there has been no trouble, do tell are there may visitors to this place?"
There doesn't seem to be anything out of place here as the boy's father hands the lot of you some mugs of mead. "No, we don't get many visitors to the town. What's yer business here?"
"It sounds like it is. I'll give you a tour." And he does so pointing out the various buildings, such as the Weavers, the Physic, the Trading Post/Smithy, the Mill, the Festival Grounds, and even Kriegler Manor, also known as the Mayor's home.
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After the tour. "You have done more then you needed to friend. If everyone in town is like you I am sure we will have a great time while here in your fine village." Hyglak turns to the group says... "I think the Mayor's home would be are best bet to find our answers." ...then begins to walk up to the manor.
This clapboard, saltbox-style house is the largest home in town. Built on a barren hill, the building has a two-story facade that slopes down to a single-story rear with the large, protruding chimney of a centrally placed hearth. The house seems inviting, and much better maintained than Ravenmoor’s other buildings. When you first approach the manor, you are met before you actually reach the door by a surly-looking young man who abandons his yard work. "Oy! What do you want?"
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Senketsu bows deeply to the their tour guide, leading Yurei along with them. As the Ulfen man storms off to the palace the Wayang struggles to keep up on their short legs.
Their protest at not getting the lay of the land dying on their lips as the field hand addresses them.
"Greetings honourable Sir, this one and their companions are visitors from far off places and seek a meeting with the Mayor on behalf of our honourable Venture-Captain, this one hopes we are not an inconvenience."
"The mayor is busy. You should move on from here." He angrily states gripping his sickle tightly.
Hyglak attempts to soothe the surly young man but it is for naught. However before it can escalate, the front door opens and a much friendlier man steps out. "I apologize for my brother here." The man says as the other backs away quietly. "I am Andretti Kriegler, mayor of Ravenmoor. Welcome! If you have need of me, I was just going to be on my way to aid in the last minute preparations for the festival. If you wouldn't mind walking with me to the fair grounds, I will help you in whatever way you need."
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Senketsu is taken aback by the groundsman fierce nature and is unsure how to react. The Wayang did not wish to fight the man when they had merely begun their task but fortunately the group were saved the dilemma by the appearance of the Mayor.
Senketsu bows at the waist from atop Yurei to the mayor and smiles.
"This one would appreciate a moment of your time, apologies to interrupt of course we can travel."
Once out of earshot of the grumpy guardsman the Wayang will elaborate their purpose.
"Honourable Mayor, our Honourable venture-Captain has asked our group to travel here to help the village as there had been rumours of trouble, we also seek a friend here, have you had recent visitors?"
"A few traders here and there, are you looking for anyone in particular? Being vague will get you nowhere in life."
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Darius is very glad to see the mayor after such a harsh reception from the other man.
He walks with the mayor as the group talks to him. "A man named Elias Kyle headed out this way a few weeks ago and he's not been heard from in a couple of weeks. We're trying to retrace his steps to see if we can locate him as his family are wondering where he's got to."
When Darius mentions Elias, Andretti's mood darkens a bit. "Yes, Iola is my ancestor. The Kriegler family has been the leader of Ravenmoor ever since it was founded. And yes, Ravenmoor hasn't paid its taxes in a while. If Magnimar had bothered to send a tax collector out here every year like they used to, that unfortunate situation would not have happened. Elias Kyle did come into town. He wasted no time making a fool of himself-ordering townsfolk around and making unreasonable demands. He should have just come directly to me. Once he did though, I assured him that it would be paid in full but I would need a bit of time to scrape the funds together. I invited him to stay at my manor and to enjoy the festival in the meantime. He did stay the night in my manor but he declined the invitation to the festival. Apparently he had little interest in "backwoods hootenannies". The next morning I paid him in full and he left just before dawn."
There is something he isn't being completely honest about.