Castle Caldwell and Beyond: (A 5e Campaign) - The Wrecking Crew (Inactive)

Game Master Terquem

Yes, quickly. Let’s see if we can find his or “its” location before word spreads that the impersonation has been found out.

Valarie approaches the dwarven woman

Excuse me, my name is Valarie Gordaue, and I was squatting in the castle when your team rescued me from a pair of men who I believe came from Tarule. They are using this castle as a base to sell slaves to merchants of the city states, and I for one believe that they should be captured and turned over to the local authorities. I would do it myself, but I lack the resources to deal with them and their henchmen. If I might also ask a favor, please? My family was once connected to the former owners of this Castle, and it would please me greatly if I might find a way to be in the service of the new owner. I had a few moments to speak with mister Caldwell previously, when we were both captives of the slavers, but I would like to stay here, with him, under your arrangement and offer my assistance to him in whatever he needs.

Isaiah nods and says. "Not much time to work with but I'll see what we can turn up before the end of the day. Our other engagements can wait until this has passed."

I fully agree! Plus, adding 'Champion of Castle Caldwell' to the end of my jeweler's shop in the future will definitely increase my marketability! Wylla offers, grinning at the thought.

Wolfgang nods in his knowing way. "Where should we start?"

Valarie finishes her conversation with Caldwell, and approaches the three heroes as they are making plans

She looks down at the floor, and blushes

Mister Caldwell has agreed to offer me a position on his staff, once the castle is secured. He has plans for the castle, and I am happy to be allowed to serve him, but there is one thing troubling me she lifts out her shift with each hand I’ve seemed to have suddenly become much poorer than I was before I first set foot in that castle. I was hoping that you might know of someone in this village who might be able to extend a line of credit to me, so that I might purchase a new dress, and some shoes. I don’t imagine I’ll be replacing my armor and weapons any time soon, but it would be something to not have to roam around this town in just my shift

All of you know there is a merchant in this town, by the name of Gardonnely, Katarina Gardonnely, who sells adventure type gear and supplies. She also makes loans. Her shop is across from the well at the crossroads in the center of the town and is easily found by a sign over the door which has a symbol on it of a coin flanked by wheat stalks. This symbol is the official Alodoan symbol for those merchants granted a license to exchange currency for bullion (it is the equivalent of saying she is the local banker). She is also well known as a person who keeps track of all the more important things going on in the town (politically and socially).

"I can show you around my dear, just one moment." Isaiah looks to the others and says. "Shall we split up and look around for the impostor separately or stick together?"

Likely a better choice to stick together Isaiah. Our group has become fractured enough, to be honest. Wylla offers. We may want to start by heading off to Gardonnely's shop. Valarie, you could likely get a loan from her, and we could likely get some information about this target of ours.

Wolfgang nods. "I can see no advantage from splitting up that would be greater from the multitude of catastrophes that might befall us while separate."

"A group escort it is then." Isaiah says. "Whenever you're ready Valarie."

Here Branhilde says as she retrieves a dwarven sized cloak from a closet in the room, You shouldn’t be running around the village dressed like that.

Valarie tries on the cloak. It is short, revealing her shapely legs, but large enough to wrap around her torso and conceal her shift.

It will have to do, Branhilde shrugs

The party leaves the Hall of the Solution Society, heading down the road back into the village of Pawkatukit.

It is a sunny afternoon. There are people out and about, delivering goods such as eggs, milk and cheese to the people who live in the cluster of houses and businesses around the village well from the farms spread out to the south toward the river. To the southwest a small grove of trees, near the river bank can be seen from the road on the hill, and just off to the east of the grove a hedged in plot of cleared land where sheep graze. Off to the north of the town a small herd of cattle can also be seen.

You quickly come to Katarina Gardonnely’s little shop, and dart through the door as quickly as you can without drawing any attention from people in the street.

The shop has a small, limited supply of strong rope, sturdy back packs, lanterns, oil, and some small tools, but otherwise is uninteresting.

Katarina stands behind a counter where she is currently weighing a few silver coins against a set of calibrated weights. She is a tall, Iarishean (an elf), with russet colored hair that is straight and long, cut with close bangs above her green eyes. She wears a tight fitting bodice, made from supple, black leather, and full fitting yellow shirt. Her face is plain, but she has a wide mouth, and a pleasant smile.

Welcome travelers, how can I be of assistance to you today?

"Hello." Isaiah says politely as he approaches the counter. "Our friend here Ms. Valarie Gordaue has had a run of bad luck involving Orcs and seems to have lost the majority of her belongings. She's looking for a loan to help her get back on her feet." The half-elf says introducing Valarie to the merchant.

Wolfgang idly looks around the shop, wondering at the kind of profit one can make from forwarding money to people whose job it is to try and die. There was a time such hard work at the ledger table would've moved him greatly, been having learned what he learned, such seemed almost trite now.

Wylla nods as Isaiah makes the introductions between Katarina and Valarie.

How to even open up the topic of finding this faux Caldwell? Can't just say 'so do you know this Caldwell character running about?', can we? Hmm. Let's see how this goes. she thinks to herself, reminded once more why she prefers jewelry and rocks to people in general.

Rough encounter on the road dear? the woman smiles and comes out from behind the counter

She walks with an awkward limp, and as she comes out into sight you can see she only has one leg, while her other leg, from just above the knee down is a wooden pole tipped in steel.

Hmm, she hums as she eyes the girl and looks at the rest of your little group. A small loan, I could do, but what are your prospects dear. Do you have a job?

She walks around the girl, and then says, I’ll be happy to set you up with some cloths, we’ll call it a gift from the town’s welcoming committee, you and I are about the same size, though my shirts might be a bit tight around the arms, uh, your chest, but at least you’ll have something to wear. How much money were you looking to borrow?

Valarie blushes when the woman mentions the difference in their upper bodies, and then bows low saying Mister Caldwell has offered me room and board, plus a small allowance, to maintain a small shrine at the castle he recently purchased. In addition to regular payments on the principal of any loan, I would be willing to pay a small interest fee and I can always offer you my services as a priestess> I know a few spells that are of use in small ceremonies, as well as a bit of battle magic, if you have a need for such a thing.

Caldwell you say? The handsome man who has been throwing money all over town? Well, that does sound like a good promise for repayment. I’d be willing to lend you up to five hundred gold pieces for a period of one year. You would have to pay me fifty gold pieces, due the first of each month for the next year. I would make a nice profit, and you can buy yourself some nice things to start your little church off right.

"If I may interpose. Do you happen to know where that Caldwell is staying? Or where I might find him this time of day?" Isaiah says with focused look in his eye.

Valarie is about to gush her thanks when Isaiah interjects a harmless question

Caldwell, Staying? the woman says looking up at the ceiling, and then she hums again, Hmmmm, I think I heard that he was renting a room in The Broken Trumpet. The Innkeeper, Avery, is a customer, always likes to brag when he is getting a good renter, but this time of day he is sometimes seen on the riverbank , usually with a young girl of the village. I hear he is charming, but not overbearing, if you know what I mean. If you are looking for him I can let him know if he should come buy.

"That's quite alright I'm sure I'll see him before then. Thank you for your assistance." The bard says gratefully. "I'll wait outside while the two of you finish your business here."

Wylla nods quietly before following Isaiah back outside.

Riverbank eh? Seems like it's time for him to get all wet! she says as soon as they are free of Katarina.

"Don't lose focus. Our task is to find him not to interfere. Remember?" Isaiah says.

Stuff Happens...

Isaiah takes the initiative and makes his way to the riverbank keeping a fair distance as to not be spotted but close enough to identify their target if he is to be found there.

Isaiah tries not to rain on Wylla’s parade, and then sets off toward the river.

There is a road that winds through the village to the south, through small farms and fields, and to the west a grove of walnut trees. In just a little while the road comes to an end at a grassy field that rises up slightly, making a very small hill adjacent to the river here. On the hill there are small pavilion like shelters. The shelters are empty (they are used when the village has celebrations of one kind or another to take advantage of the quaint riverside setting).

As you move up the hill toward a small gazeebo, you see three couples, each sitting remote from the other couples among the rocks along the river shore here. The couples are; a middle aged, yet handsome man with a woman who appears to be only slightly younger than her is, two women who appear to be in their mid-twenties, and a young man with a woman who is obviously older than he is.

From the flat top of the hill it is easy to stay out of sight, in the shelter of the gazeebo, but approaching any closer to the couples will be impossible without being noticed.

From the top of the hill it is a gentle slope to the rocky Rivershore, a distance of about two hundred yards.

Hmmm. Do any of them seem to fit our guy? Wylla asks, scrunching her nose to look at all the couples from their shelter.

Wolfgang takes a deep, cleansing breath, and his shoulders rise, as if a great weight is lifted from him.

He takes a scan about, taking in the scene; weighing it, tasting it.

A playful grin spreads on his lips and he chuckles. "Hahaha. We seeks a pretender who uses his position and form as a lever to gain advantage. Hm. Indeed. I am no powerful mage, nor, like you, a student of the infinite vagaries of human nature. But I _have_ trucked with powers that demand sacrifice, and use their influence to trap the unwary.

I can get him to move, or stay, and have her leave. Do you want him to come over here, or something else?"

His grin turns into a wry smile.

It looks playful.

And malevolent.

Beseems that I have some posting to make up for, so I'll press a little bit. =)

As there seems to be no immediate agreement as to a plan, Wolfgang can contain himself no longer. Too long has his gift lain fallow. 'Let's wake them up then, shall we?'

Still hidden behind their observation place, Wolfgang loses focus as his mind reaches out and touches the mind of the older woman being played by the young layabout. His voice echos in her mind, and the words land in her consciousness as if tossed across a far chasm. And within that chasm lays a thing unseen, though all know it to be uncomprehendingly vast, and it sleeps.

'H̼̯̳͇̙e̸̤'̨̣͈̮s ̨̤̭̯͕u͏s̼̥͓͎̖͈i̪̺ṉ̥̻̖̻ͅͅg̼͙͈̹̹̬ ̜͕̹̥y͎̙o̦̲͎͟u̠̠," he thinks at her, his words dripping with unworldly echos. He pauses to watch her reaction.

"Katarina said he'd be with a young woman, Wolfgang." Isaiah states after shaking the bizarre images from his mind.

Wolfgang is already deep into his own mind, so he leaves off answering in word-talk and simply takes up Isaiah into his mental weave. The words still echo, but now the Thing in the Pit, though still abed, and still fully unseen, weaves the tip of one great tentacle gently toward the surface.
'And where do you see a young man with a young woman? The geezer with the crone will surely not be our quarry. Whither then shall I cast my net?'

"I think you're confused Wolfgang. She said he was handsome she never mentioned his age and we've no other evidence to believe otherwise, only your assumption to an unknown entities dark motives. And please remember we're here to find him not to bring him in or interfere." Isaiah says carefully.

'You're avoiding the question. There are no young women here who are with a man. Are you saying that he's not here at all?'

"A far more likely conclusion then your first. So why don't we think of a way to be sure before we act?" Isaiah says.

Oooh! We could walk over, talking loudly about this great new castle we heard of that has treasure aplenty. Castle Caldwell or whatsit. Wylla says, face in a wide smile as the deviousness twinkles in her eyes.

Wolfgang nods enthusiastically at Wylla's idea. Isaiah seemed steadfast against any idea he had, so he was fine letting the gnome have free reign.

"Why don't you try that on the one whom Wolfgang suspects and I'll approach the other one?" Isaiah asks.

Isaiah, Wylla, and Wolfgang decide to take a chance.

Wolfgang and Wylla stroll between the younger man, with his older woman paramour, and the two young women, while Isaiah walks in the general direction of the Older man with the younger woman.

Isaiah draws a paper and a pen, and pretends to speak out loud while drafting a letter to a friend, mentioning the amazing finds at Castle Caldwell, while Wylla talks loudly to Wolfgang about the secret rooms filled with treasure at the abandoned castle estate.

The young man peers over the older woman’s shoulder and gives Wylla a curious stare, while the older man seems to ignore Isaiah completely.

The young woman, turns her head to see who is talking, and when she sees Isaiah, she gives him a smile, then turns back to the older man’s attention, while the older woman keeps turning her head only slightly in Wylla’s direction, as if she wants to hear what the gnome is saying but does not want to appear to be eavesdropping.

Suddenly, one of the young women in the middle of this unfolding scene, stands up and after kissing the other girls hand, turns and hurries, almost in a run, away from the three adventurers and the couples on the rocks, headed toward the woods to the west.

As she hurries, she glances back over her shoulder several times.

Wylla taps Wolfgang's hand excitedly. I'm so excited by the rooms! I could just run for the hills! Or the woods! Or the lake! she says, eyes flicking towards the girl that ran towards the wood.

"Indeed, many things around the castle are...not what they seem."

Wolfgang pauses, disconcerted by the turn of events. 'Should I chase her? I bet I could get her to stop so we could talk to her/him/it?' he mentally asks Wylla.

When Wolfgang and Wylla stop, Isaiah sees them glance in the direction of the woods to the west, and it is only then that he sees that one of the women who had been sitting nearby has fled.

The girl that is running away is not fast. She is not running as if she is running to save her life, but she is certainly in a hurry.

Meanwhile, the girl that was left behind seems a bit shaken up, and stands slowly with a look of confusion on her face.

Isaiah approaches the woman left behind and asks. "Is everything alright miss?"

Keeping her eyes looking off in the direction of the other woman who is hurrying away, she answers Isaiah, Oh, well, I don’t know. We were just having a nice conversation. I was starting to think she really was interested in me, when all of a sudden, wait, she turns an angry glare his way and leans at Isaiah, then shoots a sideways glance at Wolfgang and Wylla, Who are you people? What is going on here? Is Kerry in some sort of trouble?

Kerry? Who... oh her? Yeah, she's fine. I just wanted to comment on her dress! HEY KERRY WAIT! WHO ARE YOU WEARING!? WHERE'D YOU GET YOUR RINGS!? Wylla yells as she sets off in a sprint, a comical sight if ever there was one.

Wolfgang remains passive. The others seem to have this well in hand. There nothing for him to do.

Wylla takes off as fast as she can run following the fleeing girl into the woods.

"We were looking for Mr. Caldwell, I heard he's been coming here recently. I haven't the faintest clue about your friend there." Isaiah answers.

Isaiah mentions Caldwell, and the young woman smiles

Clifton, I know him, He’s a sweetheart, always so kind to Kerry and I. But, I haven’t seen him around town today at all.

Meanwhile…

Wylla chases the other woman into the woods. The shadows are long, intermixed with shafts of bright sunlight as the trees close in around her. At first, Wylla can see the woman ahead of her, dodging through the trees. Moment by moment it becomes harder for her to keep track of which way the woman is heading until suddenly she loses her completely.

Wylla is some distance into the small glade of trees south of the hill in Pawkatukit known as Chapel Hill. This is a small wooded area, no more than a few acres in size, but now that she has run into it, it might be difficult to find her way back. Of course, she knows that if she walks any direction for only a short time she will come out of the wood, either by the river, at the foot of the hill, or somewhere east or west of the wood.

Wylla takes a moment to try and see if she can catch a glimpse of the woman she was following, before giving up.

Wylla wanders back to the group, taking her time to walk in a single direction, looking dejected.

I lost her guys, no clue where she went, other than deeper into the woods.