Sarsia smiles at Soroza. "Jak-a'-Napes is just down the road, surely you saw it as you passed by? It's the only inn in town. Old Jak Crimmy is a good man, he'll set you up."
Dalton furrows his brow as he stares at his father. He scratches his beard and sighs. "Dad, I'd go with you, but there's six days between me and my next day off. I work sun up to sun down. Just promise me you'll be safe. I can't lose you, just when I've gotten you back in my life."
Sarsia tugs on Dalton's sleeve. "Come, Dalton. Your father is right. You need sleep."
Dalton and Sarsia bid Anthony, Adrac, and Soroza good night and retire to their room to sleep. Sarsia makes sure to lay out some warm furs on the floor should Anthony or Adrac decide to spend the night in their home.
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Davi stares at her boot. Heaving a big sigh she wipes it in the dirt. "You know, I don't think I've ever gotten spit on for offering to solve someone's problem before. It's certainly not how we do business in Augustana." Davi starts flicking her nails together. The claws make audible snapping sounds as they hit each other.
"In general, when you imply that a member of the Accerlas family would make a lovely prostitute, you find yourself with a sudden dearth of supplies from our lovely port city. But I'm willing to let certain things slide in the name of business. Lets start from the top, shall we?"
"You and your boss have a town full of people getting sick. Sick people, if you haven't noticed, aren't good at working. Mostly they just spread said sickness to other people like you, me, your boss, my associate here. You need a cure, I'm getting you said cure. I need things from the woods, you know where they are. Maybe you have some of them stockpiled. I get these to my alchemist, you get a cure for the plague, your workers stop dying, I get adequate compensation for my team's efforts and everyone goes home happy."
Payden's eyes narrow. He believes her story. But does he care?
He spits again, though not on her boot, and chuckles. He moves right up into her personal space, towering over her, until they're barely an inch apart. His breath is hot, and foul with the stench of tobacco.
"Noble girl huh? Born with a damn silver spoon in yer mouth. Think you fancy city types can just walk on in this town and run the show? Yer in the Darkmoon Vale, now girl. Don't know no Accerlas types round here."
He backs off, content that he got his message across. "Don't see no dead workers around here. Only dead man was a walkin' corpse anyway. Don't see no one sick 'cept the young and the old. Young and old can't carry an axe. Folks that can't carry an axe ain't worth nothin' to Kreed. Sounds like less mouths to feed and less pensions to pay if ye ask me. Lumberjack gets sick 'n dies? Hah! Twelve more men where he comes from. Sounds like a sick lumberjack wuz too weak to handle the Woods 'round these parts anyway."
He spits on the ground again and turns to walk back into Kreed Manor.
Adrac smiles genuinely back at Dalton, hugging him. "Dalton, I wouldn't ask you to leave Cassia's or Sarsia's side. You've lost your mother because of my inaction. I will not let you lose your daughter in addition to that. Get some sleep... your daughter needs you to be here and at your best when she recovers."
Bidding his son good night, Adrac stands over Cassia's bed, patting her head and looking back at Soroza. "Agreed. We need to be at our best for this... and... thank you. Truly." Placing his palms together, he bowed respectfully to Soroza, before turning to Anthony. "I would not wish to deprive you of a good night's sleep either, Anthony. You are welcome to stay, but I imagine you'd rather have a proper bed."
Adrac knelt down to Cassia's level, rubbing her shoulder and pulling a fur over. "I would prefer not to leave my family unattended. Please, get some rest."
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After Dalton voices his concern for his father's life, Anthony vows, " It is written, 'Have no fear of moving into the unknown. Simply step out fearlessly knowing that I am with you, therefore no harm can befall you.'
Do not be afraid, Dalton, son of Adrac. I promise you by my Power that your Father will make it back alive." There was no mystical thrum of power as a paladin would have making an oath. But there was Power in his words just the same. Anthony hopes to put Dalton at ease with his promise, and he would be glad to protect the man with his own life.
After everyone gets ready to turn in, he says, Wouldn't want to overstep my welcome and crowd up your home. I think I can find somewhere else to sleep. He'll head over to Tabrik Splint's hut, a local dwarven resident of Falcon's Hollow and a good friend of Anthony's. He'll knock and ask Tabrik if he can stay, provided the dwarf is there. He sometimes spends the night elsewhere. If not he'll invite himself in and size off on the floor using his pack as a makeshift pillow.
[dice=Payday Sense Motive]1d20+7
.....mouths to feed and less pensions to pay if ye ask me. Lumberjack gets sick 'n dies? Hah! Twelve more men where he comes from. Sounds like a sick lumberjack wuz too weak to handle the Woods 'round these parts anyway."[/b]
He spits on the ground again and turns to walk back into Kreed Manor.
Herral claps his hands and laughs at the arrogance of the half-orc. Just loud enough to be heard he talks openly to Davi. "He be right Davi. Course them lumberjacks work fine when their mums and dads are dying. Course they just enjoy working for the Consortium when their favourite child lies dying and Mr Kreed is doing nothing about it. I be sure we will see everyone supportin' Mr Pay Day as the graves fill. If'n word gets around I be sure no one will mind ...no one at all. Let's go and be the village heroes loike they truly need."
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In the Rhaddyn household, Cassia's breathing is labored and heavy throughout the night. She sleeps fitfully, unaware that her loving grandfather lays so close by. Dalton Rhaddyn is up at the crack of dawn - 5am, and off to the cutyard. Sarsia is up with him, making vegetable stew for breakfast, with a hearty enough portion for supper as well.
Sarsia sits at Cassia's side and shakes her awake gently. "Cassia. Wake up. You need to eat."
The little girl moans and her eyes flutter open. Sarsia gestures to Adrac, "Look, sweetie. Your grandpa Adrac came to visit. Say hello."
Though she is too weak to move from her pillow, her eyes widen. "G-grandpa? Is... is that really you?" She can't speak for long without erupting into a violent coughing fit, painting her sheets red with a fine mist of blood as she does so. "A-are you here to take us on an adventure?" She smiles faintly.
----
Anthony arrives at Tabrik Splint's home. He is happy to see Anthony, and greets him heartily. Thankfully, he is alive and well, likely due to his hearty dwarven constitution. He can see that Anthony is travel-weary, so he does not try to keep him up any longer than he has to with conversation. In the morning, Anthony awakes to Tabrik cooking breakfast - boiled sausage and oat bread. He asks over breakfast, "So, guard duty at Laurel's today I imagine? I'm sure she'll have an endless line today what with the sickness goin' around."
------
Herral returns to the Martel household. The halflings drag out a homemade quilted blanket for him to kip on one of their cushy armchairs. In the morning, he isn't allowed to leave until he's enjoyed at least two courses of breakfast, courtesy of Violar's splendid cooking. Tinkin attempts to bake another batch of Hinny Pies, but Violar smacks him around with a ladle until he sits down.
"Yer not to take a step out of this house until I say so!" she scolds, though the effort sends her coughing. She turns her face away, burying it in a hankerchief. She turns to Herral, stuffing the red-stained cloth in her apron, all sunshine and roses. "Now 'erral doan you be doin' nothin' dangerous on our accounts! Promise me!"
---
Davi and Soroza meet up at Jak-a'-Napes, run by a chubby, middle-aged man named Jak Crimmy. He gives them an easy smile and warm welcome, glad to have some business this evening (unlike the Inn of the Wood, Jak-a'-Napes is completely empty.).
In the morning, Jak Crimmy does his best to make Soroza and Davi feel welcome by cooking up some of his famous cinnamon pancakes, and entertains the two women by juggling frying pans as he cooks.
He seems more than a little infatuated with Davi. "So, Miss Accerlas, Miss Alessio!" he asks, though he keeps his eyes fixed on Davi. "What brings a pair of lovely ladies to Falcon's Hollow?"
-----
7:37 AM, Moonday, Sarenith 29
The weather outside is sunny, but windy. A welcome change from the past two rainy days.
Herral eats most of the second breakfast and bags the bread and honey for elevenses, he senses that it might be a tough morning with no break.
The halfling hugs Violar and hands over ten gold to her. "That shud keep thar wolf from the door fur a step. I be keepin' this tummy safe for brekkie the next day. But I'ul be honest sis, youm too important to me. I love you an' I'ul put me life on the line to get youm better."
Adrac doesn't sleep as well as he should, not out of distraction, but worry. The constant struggle to breath keeps him alert much of the night. When Dalton leaves, he gives his son a strong hug and tries to assuage his concerns.
When Sarsia wakes up Cassia, Adrac kneels next to her bed and smiles, rubbing her head gently. Haaa... just as thirsty for it as Dalton was at her age. he mused to himself, before responding quietly. "You're already on one, my dear. You're battling a monster you can't see right now... it's making you very sick. Your grandpa is going to find a weapon to defeat it once and for all. Until then, you can't let it beat you, understand? Your mother is going to help you fight it until I get back. Listen to her and your father, alright?"
Adrac smiled again, patting her gently before standing up and nodding to Sarsia with a fire in his eyes. "Dalton says our path is a four day round trip... I will make it in three." Adrac hugged Sarsia and patted her with as much comfort as he could muster. "Be safe, and stay healthy. I will be back. You have my word."
At that, he heads out to regroup with the others, trying to regain his own composure internally. Irori... I know I have prayed for much over the last 18 years... please... accept one more. Give me the wisdom and strength to make this journey, and my granddaughter the health to stay alive.
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With a kiss again for one and a strong hug for the other, Herral heads out to meet Davi.
Today the journey is clear, its just the road that is hidden" thinks the Desnan as he marches out.
Violar frets over Herral, but she hugs and kisses him goodbye. She makes sure to cram an extra biscuit in Elsie's pack for the road.
---
Cassia smiles weakly at Adrac, but can't talk much while her mother spoon feeds her vegetable soup. Afterwards she quickly falls asleep again.
Sarsia bids Adrac goodbye, the young woman appearing a good decade older than her actual age from worry.
---
The group meets up at Jak-a'-Napes, where Soroza and Davi are enjoying a plate of cinnamon pancakes for breakfast.
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Davi is happily stuffing her face. "Well, originally I was here because Laurel hired me as a guard for her trip home. But now? I'm definitely here for pancakes. You are an excellent cook Mr. Crimmy."
When the rest of the group enters she waves them over. "Morning all! You have to try some of these." There's one pancake left on her plate. Davi sighs and pushes the plate towards the group. "I will even let you all eat my last pancake, because I am a most noble creature"
"Thanks matey!" Herral reaches up to the table and pulls the pancake into a roll then takes a large bite. He smiles round the lovely food and offers the other half to the rest.
"Hmmmf?"
Over breakfast with Tabrik, Anthony says between mouthfuls, "Not exactly. I'm going into the forest with some companions to fetch some rare ingredients that Laurel needs for her cure. I hope she won't be needing a guard during that time." He glances up at Tabrik and asks, "You busy today? She might need the help."
After that, Anthony will make his way to the inn to meet everyone.
Tabrik nods. "I'm busy, actually. I'll make sure to ask around, though. There's probably someone who needs the work."
Some what distracted by Davi's prodigious pancake intake, Soroza offers a half-engaged response to Crimmy's question: "A matter of faith, you could say."
When the others arrive, she greets them happily.
"It's a four day trip, minimum, right? I'll need some more rations for a trip that long. Anyone else need to stick up on goods before we head out?"
Jak Crimmy blushes at Davi's compliment, and is quick to start on up a fresh batch of pancakes for the sudden surge of visitors.
"Three days. And that's being generous." Adrac stated, walking up behind Soroza, hands behind his back as he looked around. "A jaunt like this hardly qualifies as a rousing morning run. I imagine you youngsters can keep up a steady pace, hm?"
Inhaling and closing his eyes, he gave a short exhale at the need for provisions. "...keep the shopping short. I would be grateful for a quick start as soon as possible."
"Just some extra food for the road, Adrac. I heard some folks in tow mention the 'Goose n' Gander'. I imagine it won't be too difficult finding our way there for a quick stock up."
Soroza smiles wryly, "Funny, you struck me as the 'prepare for the worst' sort."
The Goose n' Gander is right in-between Jak-a'-Napes and the Low Market. The group arrives just as the owner, a little gnome merchant named Brickasnurd Hildrinsocks, is flipping the front sign to "OPEN".
"Hello, hello, hello!" He greets the group cheerfully. "Anything I can help you with?"
Inside, the store is a labyrinthe muddle of winding aisles and precariously balanced shelves stocked with everything someone living on the frontier might require. There is no apparent method to the store's organization.
Mr. Hildrinsocks toddles after the group as they enter the store.. "Could I interest you in a recent acquisition of mine? I have some alchemist's fire in stock!" He brandishes a bizarre looking gourd (filled with alchemist's fire) that is vaguely in the shape of a baby.
As they make their way to the small store, Anthony guides the ranger, explaining, "Yea, its a good spot place to gear up for an expedition like this. Just over this way." The group moves quickly over to the shop and under the "OPEN" sign and are accosted by the complete lack of organizational scheme within. Anthony still never got used to it. That and the musty stench of the building. He was sure the place had rats, though he never stuck around long enough to tell. "I'll be in and out as soon as I possibly can, sir.", he murmurs as quietly as he can to the Monk.
However, he grows interested at the mention of the alchemists fire, "We could make use of something like that in a pinch. Could I get you to part with that for 20 Gold Pieces? It's all I've got at the moment I'm afraid."
Mr. Hildrinsocks grins widely. "For you? Absolutely! Sold!" he exchanges the bizarre looking flask happily for Anthony's gold pieces.
"Master Merchant Hidrinsocks, do 'Ee av plain oil too? Fur me lantern or in a pinch droppin' on that thar gnomish fire we jess bought. Yur see?"
Herral gathers some rations for himself and fodder for Elsie while he waits for an answer. Once the man returns, the halfling quickly buys four more flasks, putting half on Elsie.
"It's a silver for a pint, good sir!"
Soroza purchases a day's worth of trail rations, and thanks Mr. Hildrinsocks.
"I believe I'm set. Are we all ready to go?"
Anthony hands empties the contents of his purse into the gnome's hands and takes the gourd, and ties it to his belt. He says, bowing very slightly, "Thank you again, Mr. Hildrinsocks. We'll be back in a few days." To Soroza he replies, "I am. Shall we wait for the others outside?"
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"I be outside prayin' fur when we go. You say where un I be happy to lead off. Thanks ter Desna of course. Nice pancake matey an' I be back fur more another time."
Herral goes outside and kisses the ground and raises his hands to the road ahead. He murmurs a prayer to the Butterfly Lady and wishes to see the way safe and secure.
Herral Hinn confidently leads the group into the Darkmoon Wood, a dark, forbidding expanse to the north of Falcon's Hollow. The sun barely penetrates the towering darkwood trees, leaving small sunshafts to guide the group as they go.
Through a particularly dark area of the forest the group finds that the undersides of several rocks are covered in a strange, glowing mold.
Having no interest in the mold, Adrac waves his hand as he continues to survey the forest. "I'd leave it be. I've had more than enough experiences to say that if something is glowing in a place like this, best leave it be. Master Hinn, shall we?"
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After a cursory glance at the strange mold, Soroza makes a displeased expression, "I agree with Adrac. Probably best to leave this gunk alone."
The noonday sun is high in the sky when the group finally emerges from the trees to find proof that they are headed in the right direction - they have come upon the tributary of the River Foam within the Wood, as it feeds into a small lake. It is roughly 600 feet wide, though the water is still.
Perception Checks
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"Wait. I've seen this stuff before. It's called Glowmold. If we can get some of it in a bottle or something it'll give off light for a couple days. Save us torches and all that." Davi pulls out a small knife. She goes to collect the mold but hesitates at the last second. "Err. Someone else want to try? I have no idea what I'm doing"
_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_
"Anyone else hear that? Something's whimpering." Davi walks in the direction of the noise.
Davi follows the noise, and finds that not far from the edge of the forest-shrouded lake, a fox with large ears and bright orange fur lies bleeding, its hindquarters caught fully in the jaws of a crude iron trap.
Herral picks up the glowmold and bottles it away for that night. Hurrying after the noise, Herral comes out into the open trail and sees the whimpering fox.
He leaps onto the trap and tries to release the poor creature.
But his size and arms prove unequal to the task. Herral doesn't even move the metal trap an inch.
Soroza follows after Davi.
At the sight of the small creature stuck in the trap, her heart breaks a little.
"I'm pretty sure that I could get that thing off of the little guy, but I don't know of that would hurt him even more. Anyone know enough to look at those wounds and make sure we can take that trap off safely?"
Herral doesn't notice him, but both Davi and Soroza realize that there is a hobgoblin with a prodigious cleft palate in the nearby tree, accompanied by two enormous crows! It has a longbow out and aimed right at Herral!
Initiative Rolls
Initiative Order
1. Anthony
2. Soroza
3. Crow 2
3. Davi
4. Herral
5. Crow 1
6. Adrac
7. Hobgoblin
Surprise Round!
Soroza draws her whip and moves towards the enemies. "HERRAL! Watch out! There's a hobgoblin in that tree!" she calls out.
The faster of the two crows charges towards Soroza!
....but she ducks just in time.
Davi is up.
Davi moves to assist Soroza, drawing her rapier as she does so.
The other crow charges at Herral, cawing angrily. It swoops in with its talons, carving a small incision into his neck. The hobgoblin lines up his shot and fires, missing him by an inch! Good thing Lady Desna is watching over him...
Round 1 start!
Anthony is up.
Botting Anthony, to move forwards.
Anthony draws his rapier, and moves towards the closer of the two crows.
Adrac is up.
Adrac looks up from his observation of the fox. He squinted - something about this seemed... wrong. Where was the trapper-
His eyes darted up to see the crows swooping in... and hiding in the brush, the hobgoblin. Guess that was the answer to his question. This was a trap! Adrac scowled as darted forward. This is NOT what we need right now. I'd best end this quickly, we don't have time for this!
Soroza ignores the crow, moving past it without a thought to the fact she was leaving her defenses open as she moved. The hobgoblin was the real threat.
When she reaches the tree, she lashes her whip at the hobgoblin's legs, attempting to topple him from the tree.
Soroza's whip snakes around the hobgoblin's leg, and he topples out of the tree! He falls gracelessly to the ground with a heavy thud.
So close to his ugly face...does it ring a bell?
The crow wildly swipes at Soroza as she moves away from it, but Soroza nimbly dodges it as she moves. It turns back to Davi, rather than giving pursuit, swiping at her with its talons, but Davi pushes it away with the flat of her blade.
"Hey, I know him, he eats people! Don't let him get away!" Davi shouts. She tries to swat the crow out of the sky with her sword.
Davi's rapier digs into the crow before her, scoring a deep wound.