"All right, we'll try." Jocasta gratefully accepts the second potion, and trickles it into Toruk's mouth as well.
Toruk heals Fil.
The marsh/forest is close enough, though you can probably make a litter from the damaged furniture from here in the moat house. The litter will slow you down a bit. Do you intend on going back to town immediately or intend to explore a bit more first?
Jocasta helps Fil to his feet, gingerly.
"Looks pretty bad. We can't move very fast or Fil will reopen his wound," she says.
"Since we have everyone up, I think we might as well head back to Hommlet. Safer to rest there, anyway."
"It's dangerous to split up, but with Fil in that condition... What if someone stealthy enough stayed nearby to check if the cultist move anywhere? Others could go and come back with reinforcements. We still don't know how many men they have."
Braggi scratches hi beard, looking at others' faces trying to discern what they think of his idea.
Fil will look at Braggi, his face haggard from loss of blood. "Wise, but they may find you, being more familiar with the place. And the bandits, being bandits, may attempt to kill you if you slept. Do you snore?"
Fil is both concerned and very, very cranky.
"I never said it was me who was going to stay. But I guess I could, yeah. After all, they don't need to be actively looking for me."
Toruk shakes his head, "Splitting up is too dangerous. We must work together. Let's get Fil back to Hommlet and let Musami return to the forge. We can then prepare ourselves and then return to complete the exploration."
"Let's get out of here while we're still in one piece," says Jocasta. "Here, lean on me," she says to Fil.
The journey to Hommlet takes a little over five hours to make, taking frequent breaks and with Filnefillan leaning on each of you in turn to be less of a burden overall. During the trip you see no signs of the smithy nor Boron the bear along the roadway.
Arriving again in Hommlet you notice the millhouse across the river is slowly churning, the vendors amongst the wagons you escorted winding down their stalls for the day, a few villagers heading about to make their dinner obligations. You pass the small construction site for a stone castle being built to expand the tower belonging to the town's noble tenant, Lord Burne.
Onwards you pass a few shops, receive curious glances from townsfolk, but are otherwise unhindered in your progress. Just before the crossroads you pass the druid's grove on your left, then the dark smithy on your right then come across the street to the doors of the Inn of the Welcome Wench.
Musami will go to the darkened smithy and chexk for signs of thw smith.
"See you inside, Musami," says Jocasta as she gingerly opens the door and helps Fil across the threshold. She brings the wounded elf to the counter and fishes around in her purse for a few more coins.
Cedryk also goes looking for the blacksmith. If he does not find him in the smithy, then he will enter the grove and search there.
The coals of the furnace are cold, the tools put away neatly, the work area silent and dark. It doesn't appear the smith has been at the forge today, likely not since he completed the horseshoes the previous morning. A note sits on the ground under a lump of coal, beside the smith's anvil.
The inn's taproom is busy with villagers, a few caravan traders, and the guests seen the night before, save Zert. He doesn't seem to be in attendance. The innkeeper's wife Molly clears away two small tables and pulls them together for your group. It appears you folks had a rough go of it today. Please be seated. I'll send Alison over with a small pitcher of wine, on the house.
"So, what do we do now? Wait till the morn? Do we ask for reinforcements, or do we get back on our own?"
While the rest of you wait for Musami and Cedryk to join you, the barmaid Alison delivers the pitcher of wine and small glasses to your table. She seems tired and a little nervous, the crowd larger than you witnessed the previous evening. Um, we have a little of the stew left from lunch today if you are interested, on the house. No point in tossing it right, you deserve to eat at least yeah. She spills a bit of wine by Fil, apologizing profusely. Sorry, so much going on today. Let me get another rag. She wonders back towards the kitchen.
Shaking his head in sadness, the druid begins to clean up. The first deals with the body of Jaroo. He cleans up the little cabin, then lays the druid out on the table with a linen cloth draped over him. He then moves into the grove, where he attempts to clean the menhir of all the blood and offal that had been smeared over it.
He speaks to Hedgewyk and sends him into the grove to help repair some of the trees and other plants.
All night the young man works to make right what the beast had done to the grove and its protector. He prays to the Old Gods for guidance and help in dealing with the evil that plagues the land.
As the sun begins to rise, Cedwyk exits the grove and crosses the road to the tavern. Worn, covered in blood, dirt, and grime, he sits heavily in a chair. As he speaks, his voice cracks, as he realizes that these are the first words he has spoken since he returned to the village.
Jaroo, Druid of Hommlet, is dead and the grove defiled."
Molly makes the rounds of the other tables, chatting quietly with the patrons, a tankard of ale in her hands. Her husband Ostler stands near the front desk, a stack of mugs laid out before him. He takes a long cloth, drying them and placing them on trays for the potboys to carry back to the kitchen. He nods at you briefly, then continues his work, smiling to the other villagers and guests, occasionally offering a short word of conversation.
The barmaid Alison brings heaping bowls of stew to the table for your group, asking if she can bring you anything else. As she does, Meridosen brings a second pitcher of house wine and leaves it on the table. She gives Filnefillan a short wink before returning to the bar.
A few of the guests start to thin out after Molly checks on them, settling their bills. The more elderly villagers say their farewells and toddle off towards the exit, barely giving you or the other guests a glance. The wizard Spungoir from the previous evening seems a bit pale and tense, nodding to you quickly before hurrying to the stairs and up to his room.
The warrior Zert enters the Inn at this time, in the company of one of the drovers from your caravan and two militiamen from town. They seem to be laughing and joking amicably, taking seats near to your table. Service, service, thirsty men here Meri...
Toruk pours himself a generous portion of wine. "Good day Zert." He nods at Zert's companions. "Have you found work with the militia or are you signing up with the caravan? Caravan duty is good work. There's nothing better than being on the open road and traveling from town to town."
Toruk then takes a long swig of wine. "Say, we ran into a couple of brigands wearing slaver insignia. The bloody axe of the Pomarj. You heard anything about slaver activity in this area?"
Zert nods to the group, pausing in his conversation with the men. No good sir, I've not joined the guards, nor the caravan. I remain as always a sell-sword and bounties man. He turns back to his companions, taking a drink of his mug. I've not heard of slavers hereabouts, but I do know of some bandits and murderers being sought by the crown. With luck I will soon have their bounties in hand and a tidy sum of plates in my purse.
GM Roll
Jocasta sips at the ale and makes sure to hand Alison a silver piece. She looks strung out, like the various failures of the last few days are catching up with her.
"If it's all the same, I think we may just want to get some sleep," she says. "It's been a long day and running into slavers, like Toruk mentioned, takes its toll."
She glances to Meri, then Zert, then back to Toruk. She leans forward and says to the party members around the table, in a low tone, "Something's not right. I suggest sleeping in a room tonight, if you can afford it, and barricade the door."
Alison blanches momentarily as Jocasta hands her the silver piece, then sets it on her tray and hurries on to assist other customers.
As a few more patrons leave the inn, the room occupants down to Zert, his companions, the staff, the odd pair from the first evening, and a few other villagers. At the bar sits the drunkard Elmo from before, looking somewhat cleaned up and sober, a suit of chain showing beneath his wine stained tunic, an ax on the bar.
The front doors open to allow the last elderly patron to exit, to be replaced by an older statesman in sturdy leathers adorned with a tabard stitched with the wheat sheafs and elder tree of Verbobonc. Accompanying him is another militiaman, this one wearing a golden chain of office and carrying a shield painted with the green dragon rampant of Lord Devarn. They stop and talk with Ostler Gundigoot, hushed whispers giving rise a bit in disagreement.
"Yeah, something's odd here. Keep an eye open." Saying that, Braggi keeps his weapon at hand while finishing his drink.
"We should go early tomorrow and finish our job, with or without help."
As Braggi finishes his drink, Molly stops by the table to refill his glass from the pitcher on the table. Not eating the stew anyone, surely you must be hungry from the days journey.
At that moment the door opens and Musami enters, followed by two militiamen and Lord Burne Devarn. The dwarf has been relieved of his weapons but does not seem to be in any distress. Now the lord says to the room at large.
At the word, the remaining villagers, militiamen, and noted persons rise from their seats, hands on their weapons. Lord Burne addresses your table, The town council and I have some questions we'd like to ask of you. Please do not rise, do not reach for weapons, we do not want there to be any misunderstandings.
Lord Devarn motions to the table, indicating he would like Musami to take a seat as well. Meridosen, Alison, and the potboys are ushered by Molly from the room, as Ostler takes a stand by his desk, clearly displeased by the turn of events and how it is being handled.
Taking a seat on a barstool Burne continues. Since you arrived in town, our druid Jaroo and our blacksmith Hiram have both gone missing. Both have been seen in the company of one or more of your band. An accusation has been made that some harm may have befallen them. The town council has asked that myself and my partner Lord Rufus investigate the matter. Your cooperation would be greatly appreciated.
Looking around you do not see Lord Rufus, nor your missing druid Cedryk.
Jocasta rolls her eyes and sighs.
"Wonderful. We're in a village for one day and we're being framed for crimes."
Lord Burne looks to Jocasta. It is not my intention to frame you miss, nor do I yet have evidence of any crimes. Do you know anything to shed light on the matters at hand?
At this point a militiaman comes into the inn, striding over to the Lord. He speaks to him in a hush, gesturing outside. I stand corrected, it appears your companion, Cedryk is it, he has been found in Jaroo's home, covered in his blood. He stands as the assorted militia and witnesses blanche, taken aback by the sudden statement, the weight of this death landing like a cold wet blanket. Do you care to speak now, do you have anything to say which may explain this?
"My fellow travelers of the road and I were not even in town all day. We were following up on a kidnapping, of people who'd been taken during an attack on a caravan. We never did find them, but we were out of town trying to follow tracks and find clues for the entire day. We only just arrived back," says Jocasta.
"I can't speak for him. I met him less than a week ago and he wasn't with us for most of the expedition. All I can say is that late at night we were suddenly set upon by a werewolf that was being pursued by someone else, who claimed that it was your town's blacksmith. It swiped some food from our supplies and ran off - lucky business that nobody got bit."
Under her breath she mutters, "I never should've left home. They might as well just execute us now and get it over with."
Lord Burne listens intently to Jocasta's explanation, Ostler Gundigoot adding They stayed under my roof the night their caravan arrived. They did nothing untoward and it was their caravan that mentioned the other attacked on the road. They talked of trying to discover what happened to those taken. He smiles at your group, hopefully reassuringly. I saw no reason to doubt their sincerity.
Lord Burne nods to the innkeeper, his men relaxing slightly. Thank you good maister. Be that as it may however we have word from another this group was involved with Hiram, and now he is missing. Testimony offered by a bounty man, Zert I believe. I feel we may need to bring this matter to the attention of the Church. He looks to Musami, Jocasta, and the others. Are you willing to stand before the Church, to plead your testimony to Saint Cuthbert, to aid myself and these maisters in discovering the truth?
Cedryk does not struggle nor in any way put up a defense until the priest attempts to bless the dead Druid.
"That is a wast as you should know. The followers of the Old Faith have their own traditions, which was what I was doing when you found me. The door to this cabin was open and Jaroo was there, as you see him."
Cedryk explains everything that has happened to him since arriving in town, leaving nothing out.
"I will submit to you at this moment, but I am innocent of this crime and answer to my organization and the gods of the old faith."
"Yes, I'll answer your questions."
Lord Burne addresses the room, Very well. If you would be so kind as to divest yourselves of your weapons, Ostler Gundigoot will safeguard them in your absence. Casters, please identify yourselves and allow my men to place these holding out a few pairs of thick leather gloves, the fingers fitted with heavy iron rings wrapped around tightly, to safeguard the wellbeing of yourselves, my men, and the proceedings. Militiamen come forth to place the gloves on Filnefillan and anyone else who admits to being a caster. Now, with your leave we shall proceed up the hill to the Church. There Canon Terjon will question you under the watchful eye of Saint Cuthbert, and we shall hopefully determine what has happened these past few days.
Fil, being barely able to speak at the accusations stands slack-jawed at these accusations.
"Human law intrigues me, but you are making a horrific mistake. I have done nothing to your villagers, nor would I consider such. I came here in peace, and intend to leave in such as well. You will see that I have been wounded by bandits when doing our investigations, and I am feeling quite dizzy, but I do submit."
He stands, stumbling over to Lord Burne, before collapsing in a heap, unconscious.
Toruk shrugs, "I look forward to proving our innocence in front of Saint Cuthbert. As you'll see, we have nothing to hide."
He then turns and looks pointedly at Zert. "Others, though, cannot say the same. But we shall discover their true loyalties, soon enough."
Toruk then lifts Fil up and carries him to the church. "The priests will be able to assist him."
Musami submits to the church's questioning.
The Lord leads the way out of the inn, militiamen walking beside you, the captain of the militia and town sheriff following to the rear. Outside you find the Canon and Lord Rufus with Cedryk, his hands leather-bound and shackled. The young druid is covered in blood across his tunic and arms, even a bit smeared across one cheek. Two other militiamen carry a small stretcher with a bloody sheet covering a body, likely that of the druid Jaroo. Hedgewyk is no where to be seen.
Seeing Fil is wounded and in distress, the priest approaches and, with a nod from Lords Burne and Rufus, casts on the elf, restoring him to consciousness that he may walk with his companions. Saint Cuthbert would have you stand for yourself in this matters good elf, the better to see the truth win out.
The procession leads you down the roadway, across the bridge, and up the rising hill to the church. The acolyte Calmert has the doors open and the interior hall well lit, the pews turned somewhat to create a place for the elders, another the witnesses, and a small section for yourselves. Welcome lords, the hall is ready for you. Seeing the body of Jaroo, the man says, Please carry him to the vestibule, we will see he is cared for as the faith provides.
As you are lead to the front and asked to be seated, Burne and Rufus take seats before the altar. Canon Terjon steps up to the dais and takes a position behind the pulpit. The rest of the train take their own seats.
Before we begin, is there anyone who objects to being brought into the light of Saint Cuthbert, that denies these proceedings, or seeks that he be judged in some other right manner?
Fil stands up, looking to the priest. "That is greatly appreciated. I have seen everything unfold before me, but none of which you speak of. What bothers me is that we are being singled out for something we haven't done."
He would like to sense motive from the priests as well as the Lords. He doesn't want to oppose the rightful leaders of the community, but this just doesn't feel right to him.
"I am willing to trust in the devotion to law and truth that St. Cuthbert espouses."