The crowd suddenly stops and for a moment there's sullen silence. Several of the crowd stare at Filbert but then there's a general muttering and fingers pointed at the Count's retainers. One man says, "This is stupid, I'm going home." Several others murmur their agreement and within a couple of minutes the crowd sheepishly melts away.
A half-elven man at the window stares out in apparent disbelief. He calls down, "Erm Thanks you! I suppose you'd better come up and have some tea. I've got the kettle on."
Nicely done. Agrippa says to Filbert.
Indeed. We should speak about your "artwork" Agrippa calls up and then he heads into the temple.
Lelwyn opens the door and invite you up the narrow stairs which open up into a well-lit but cluttered studio flat. All over are canvases, supplies, and partially completed paintings.
some being faithful renditions of Avalon bay, others are still lives or portraits of various exotic people. Some of the paintings are disquieting and lean toward the macabre (Sense Motive DC 14 to realize these are likely his dreams and fantasies).
One of these works is a triptych prominently displayed on an easel in the middle of the studio. Lelwyn has been working on these paintings, still in their sketch phase, of five people in full figure, though their faces are incomplete. In the background, three different cities flow seamlessly into one another under a yellowish sky. Without question the painting is of you! (Sense Motive DC 16 Lelwyn seems utterly unaware of the coincidence.)
Lelwyn busies himself pouring tea for you, it turns out to be an exotic brew from far Jalmaray. It's very good! Tea served, he then fetches a bag and hands it to Filbert saying. "Good sir! I'd like to thank you for your intervention. I don't know what would have become of me if you hadn't!"
Filbert walks around the studio inspecting the paintings, while paint was not his medium, he could appreciate someone else's work.
And while some of it is nice, and other pieces somewhat out there; he is not in the least able to put accurate prices on any of it. "Some of these pieces are quite interesting"
Some of the stranger paintings seem quite personal to the artist as if he might be painting something he has seen, Filbert close to asking the artist about them comes to the triptic in the middle of the room stopping and staring at it for a long moment; before reaching out and tugging at Agrippa or Momijii's coat, drawing their attention as well.
"That's us" Looking around at the Lelwyn busying himself about the place making tea of all things, Filbert realizes that he doesn't place the painting and it's subject with them. Before he can say anything further, the artist is passing out tea and handing Filbert a well made bag.
"Why thank you?" At first Filbert isn't quite sure why the bag is important and then a fragment of memory comes back and he realizes what the bag really is. "No really. Thank You! Are you sure about this?"
Lizzie watches her footing, as she realizes she almost bumped into something lying on the ground.
Lizzie looks at the paintings with mixed thoughts.
"Interesting huh, i reckon people with particular tastes would pay a lot for these."
Lelwyn replies absently, "Oh that's fine, I have several more than needed. They're handy for moving the paintings when I travel. Thing is I've been less inspired during my time here than I might have hoped. It's true the mountains and the lake have a certain rugged beauty, which the gods awful weather generally prevents you from seeing. Such a miserable place, I'll be glad to be back in civilization once my commission is done."
Tea distributed, Lelwyn takes a closer look at his guests and just stops and stares seeming confused. He glances at the unfinished painting and back to you, muttering, "How can that be? I've been trying to get the faces right for weeks but the dream was never clear, yet here you are!"
Indeed. You have our thanks. You say our faces came to you in a dream. Curious. What other details of this dream can you remember? As it happens, we are investigating a series of disturbances related to dreams and dream-like phenomena.
"Well..." sighs Lelwyn, "How do you even describe such a thing? I've not been sleeping well of late, recurring dreams. I wouldn't say nightmares, but pretty vivid full on stuff, or so it felt at the time. It's the same thing every time, a group of five strangers surveying bizarre cities. Somehow I got the feeling this was all terribly important somehow. What they were doing mattered. So naturally I put brush to canvas."
Absentmindedly he picks up a brush and brandishes it giving you all an appraising look, "I don't suppose you'd sit for me would you? Couldn't get the faces right. It'll only take a couple of hours and I'll pay. Say 10 gold each?"
Agrippa answers for the group Indeed. However my friend, we are embroiled in the serious enterprise of unraveling a potential conspiracy. We must beg off. I have a favor. Could I perhaps borrow one of your canvases...the cityscape might be helpful in our investigation.
Lelwyn seems disappointing and replies, "Twenty gold a piece? No? Oh OK then. Oh you want to borrow a canvas, they're quite expensive. I have a few pages of foolscap paper you can have however." He starts rummaging through a pile of stuff and pulls out a battered old folio most of the pages of which have been ripped out. There's a couple left which he hands to Agrippa.
Once everyone's finished their tea, Lelwyn says, "I suppose I ought to get back to the mural I'm painting at the new chapel. It's a bit creepy in there these days, nobody comes in but me. Too quiet. It wasn't so bad at first what with Trilliss pottering around, she's the Priestess. Not seen her for weeks, nobody seems to know where she went and apparently the backward authorities don't care. I'll be glad when my commission is done and I can get home!"
Filbert nods in gratitude and acceptance. Nearly answering "yes" when asked about sitting for the painting before Agrippa answered for the group. Realizing he was likely right, Filbert wisely kept his mouth shut.
However when the painter mentions the church's Priestess had went missing that did get his attention. "That's odd, perhaps we should check it out, although we have another missing soul to find as well."
Agrippa nods at the artist Indeed. You have our thanks Master Painter. Perhaps Mistress Trilliss' disappearance is somehow connected to our own investigation. Agrippa pockets the folio, adding it in his journal for further study.
Agrippa turns to his allies.
Well. Do we have anything else to accomplish here in Thrushmoore? If not, I would like to spend time investigating around town, and I suggest you all do the same.
"Yes, sure. Talking around town could bear fruit."
"Thank you, mr painter."
Agrippa will spend the remainder of the day studying his notes, the various books he has (including Chain of Nights) and whatever other evidence he has gathered.
If Agrippa has enough time, he will also move about town, studying the strange murals and attempting to ascertain if there is some pattern at work. (and also comparing the murals to our own painter's work to see if he indeed did not paint them)
Filbert bids Agrippa farewell and the others as well. "Lelwyn, if you don't mind I wish to see the mural you are working on and to check on the missing priestess, seems these days more and more people are going missing or failing to do their jobs" Like the constable
Heading towards the nearby temple, Filbert looks around, asking to see the artist work should he not come along, and then checks on the priestess, someone must be running things in her absence.
Studying the structure of the building, Filbert searches for any damage that might have occurred or perhaps where the spacing doesn't match the wall/room/hallway area used. All the while listening to those in the temple for anything of value.
As the crowd dispersed Momijii felt a wash of relief, she didn't want to hurt those fools and was worried it would have come to exactly that if not for Filbert's quick actions. As they were allowed inside of the artist's domicile Momijii looked around in curiosity. Ultimately Momijii was bored with it, she never was a fan of artwork, and she knew nothing about it's value. She had already drifted away before Filbert tried to draw attention to the one painting.
As the man passed out tea to them Momijii accepted her's and bowed to him as she said, "Thank you." She then looked for a place to sit, finding a chair, and sitting down, crossing her knees, as she sipped at the tea. It wasn't the best tea she had ever had, she remembered her mother serving it a few times as a child and...with a sudden wince she felt her mind run into another mental block with such force it gave her a headache. She sipped the tea slightly and surreptitiously tried to swipe away the single tear that she shed at the discovery and loss of the memory.
Momijii was startled to realize that the man recognized them from a dream and she had no trouble accepting this as fact. As he asked them to sit for him so he could finish their faces in the painting she sent a glare to Agrippa for speaking for the lot of them. She looked at Agrippa and gave him an aggravated look before she returned her gaze to the painter and said, "I'll sit for you Lelwyn, maybe the others would be willing to do so later on." She looked back at the others and said, "I'll catch up with you at the inn later."
Lelwyn seems almost despondent when Heinrich refuses to pose for him, but when Momijii agrees he perks right up, "Thank you Ma'am! I'll just have to paint the other's from memory." When Filbert inquires about the mural Lelwyn replies, "Sure. Here's the Chapel key. I do have anther copy but I'd appreciate if you can return it later."
You turn your attention to the peculiar murals that have been defacing the town. Stylistically they seem very different to Lelwn's work and when you take a close look, there's something about them that makes your skin prickle with a frisson of fear. You are certain they are somehow related to cultist activity.
overseeing births like a divine midwife. Various lesser ones are chalked in but incomplete.
You search the building and find very little monetary value but you find a diary under a pile of neatly folded ceremonial robes (all Phrasman). The diary contains a series of mundane entries but a few things of note:
4 months ago: Sentilar Ruoy has been bad mouthing us again describing the fresco we're commissioning as ostentatious. He was denounced magical healing once again extolling the virtues of his alchemical remedies claiming that science didn't require one to sight their soul of into penury. I tried to explain but the man was intransigent.
3 months ago: The count's servants have been harassing the faithful again, the countable turned up and sent them away. Funny Padgett hates the church but I suppose he hates the count even more.
2 months ago: I really must do something about the Wailing House. I know everyone seems to ignore the dreadful cries of despair and rage that emanate from it every Wealday night, but it doesn't sit right with me. I never seem to find the time however.
A week ago: One of the congregation, Miss Clarence saw something disturbing up by the old Stelae on the hill. She was overwrought, claiming she'd seen demonic lights flickering round it and chanting. Seems unlikely but I must investigate, many strange things have been going on round here of late.
Hopefully there's some circumstance bonus or something that gets me to 30... =)
Agrippa questions townsfolk, using his cover as an agent of the "Crown" (Lowls), regarding the murals.
"Thank you I will return it when I've finished my visit to the church." thanking the artist again for the bag, he heads towards the church, to take a look around.
The many depictions of scenes from the holy book used by the church of Pharasma from what Filbert remembered were quite well done, even when only chalked in for the moment; however standing there reviewing the main fresco Filbert finally understood why Lelwyn was being paid his retainer the work was truly a masterpiece.
Leaving the fresco's behind he continues his investigation of the church finding a journal. Reading through it he has an idea of where they might find the priestess, yet she'd went a week past, that did not bode well.
Later that evening back at the tavern Filbert tells the others about what he found. "I think I know where the priestess might have went. If so Agrippa, it probably has to do with the rest of this mess."
As dinner moves on Filbert tells the others about the frescos that were painted in the chapel. "Lelwyn has talent, the work he did at the church, is truly a work of art and well worth what the church is paying him to be here."
""Speaking of which, Sentilar Ruoy, a local alchemist has been causing trouble verbally for the church. Seems he thinks the people should use his remedies instead of the church's healing. And a couple of months ago some of the counts retainers were causing trouble as well, you don't suppose that was us do you?"
"Anyone know what the Wailing House is? The priestess was concerned about it but according to her journal, had not made the time to follow up on it."
Lizzie looks at Luxina.
"He obviously knows our previous selves, and he's not as jumpy as other people. Maybe he was also an 'associate'."
The man gives Lizzie a funny look as if she'd just said something very odd. Scratching his chin he muses, "There’s something very different about you. Your little trip must have been something! Ol’ Meb said that you got shipped off to Briarstone Asylum, but he’s always making up stories about folks." He finishes with a questioning hesitation, "That’s not true, is it?"
"Well in a way that was true, but we were on an assignment there."
Luxina replies to the man, also wondering how he knows both her and Lizzie.
I'm not sure about all this from my past life, but if my dreams were correct... A shiver runs down her spine as her thoughts recollect on this.
I might have been more fascinated with fire than just alchemy and bombs...
"Have you heard about the multiple fires that happened over there? Well guess whose work that was." She finishes with a wink.
[b]"Alas, we've had almost no contact from what happened here aside from hearsay from patients and staff alike. Can you fill us in some more about what's been going on? The count hasn't talked to us yet."[/i]
You set down each with a piping hot tea, and the man explains, "You don't even remember my name do you? I'm Keldrin and I've known the pair of you for three maybe four years. I used to do a bit of gardening for the count, but when my old man died I inherited enough to start my own business. I'm a builder by trade now and would often share a few brews with you - although not when you're getting sauced. I'm such a light weight compared to you, never could keep up!" He takes a sip of tea and says, "Past few weeks have been pretty scary. Started off with the count's absence from public life maybe a month ago. Week or so later he fired almost all the staff. Apparently there's now mercenaries from out of town guarding the place, didn't check - I don't fancy putting my nose where it doesn't belong. That's strange but it got much worse, a little over a week ago people started going missing and a general panic was spreading. Stuff about the Briarstone Witch. I wouldn't know anything about that but folks are vanishing. Not just one or two either, loads. Properly scary. Other strange things have happened, a few folks who seem like minor nobles have come to Thrushmoor." Whispering conspiratorially he says, "I reckon these people are here to take some of the count’s flailing power after his departure. Vultures the lot of em."
He takes another sip and then adds, "Oh there's one other thing about the last time I saw you. You where poking around Pier 19. It looked like you were stuffing something up underneath the dock. That’s a pretty good place for safekeeping if you knew you were going to leave town for a few days... You see everyone’s still scared of that pier after that creature melted Jano, Mernil, and Keyrn a few years ago, so no one was going to go poking around your stuff."
Surely folks noticed when they appeared...
Unfortunately people seem remarkably reticent about it when you ask.
Lizzie looks sideways up at Luxina.
"We might go have a look."
This guy, i am unsure what to make of him.
"We appreciate you reminding us of our state of affairs.
Yet, we still have to meet up with other people as of late."
Lizzie nods in appreciation.
"We'll talk later Keldrin. We'll be here."
When Keldrin is away, Luxina looks to Lizzie.
"Let's find that package on the pier, it might hold more than just old gear. It might hold memories and clues as to what has happened to us and with us."
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"I would prefer clues over memories. What if we remember too much, and it conflicts with who we are?"
Agrippa nods upon hearing Filbert's assessment.
Indeed. I am coming to the conclusion that our next action, after consultation with Mistress Wentz of the Sleepless Agency, should be to pay a visit to the Magistrate. There are dark doings here. Fell arcanery is responsible for these Murals.
By late afternoon the companions where all back at The Silver Wagon, discussing what to do next. Agrippa had suggested they see Cesadia again before paying a visit to Magistrate Tillus Padgett. There was general agreement so they set off through the drizzle to The Sleepless building at the other end of town.
Unlike last time, the door opens without them having to knock. They're ushered in to find Cesadia pacing and looking visibly upset, even shaken.
"Ah there you are. We've have preliminary results from our little census and gods help us, they're alarming. We've surveyed about half the town so far and its looking like one in three people have gone, seemingly without trace! There's no tracks leading anywhere suspicious, no sign of violence. Nobody saw anyone leave town. I've never seen anything like this before. I can not believe the authorities are still absent. What the hell is Padgett doing?"
Indeed. Troubling. Agrippa nods
We know not the cause of this disappearance, and yet we can safely surmise that nothing good will come of it. We appreciate your efforts Mistress Wrentz, and that of your Detectives. I believe we will go and see the Magistrate forthwith.
The party says good bye to Cesadia and makes haste to Fort Hailcourse, winding their way north through the town. The drizzle turns to rain as you walk past the shadow of the Builder's Hall.
The rain dampens all other sounds as well as your good selves, lending the town a strange otherworldly quality. Like a fantasy castle the fort slowly resolves as you walk through the rain. The walls are sheer stone blocks crafted with fantastic precision so not even a sheet of paper will fit between them. They are slick with rain and appear indomitable. The only entrance to is a set of 10-foot-high double door located on the south side of this large stone building. Tarnished brass door knockers carved into the shapes of perching birds hang on the doors, and the hatch for the spyhole remains shuttered. All is quiet, too quiet.
"Uhmm, Mistress Cesadia, I went by the church where the painter has been comissioned, the priestess is missing. I think she went to search for the missing and strange happenings out at something called the Old Stelea. Any idea where that might be, and what could be going on out there?"
Current location
Filbert looks around for a bit for heavy moveable objects, before walking forward and knocking on the double doors as loud as he can with the hilt of his dagger.
Agrippa bangs on the door using the knocker. If no one comes to check, he begins searching the door for a means of entrance.