Bjelich is relieved to see the old woman has given him one last chance. He speaks politely, showing her due respect for her age and the inconvenience we are putting her through. I do apologize to have to keep pestering you like this. I'm afraid Danna has gotten us off on the wrong foot. We did not come here to challenge you or keep you from your routine. Might we start over? I realize you are busy, so I will try to be brief. Silvania is a new settlement taking root just north of here. As I said, one of the children, Tig, has a developed a bad habit of wondering off in this direction. Bjelich holds his arms out in reference to her property, His disappearance has left his family and the settlers uneasy. Unfortunately, some have taken to rumor mongering. If left to their own devices, I fear such rumors of child abduction will only get out of hand. The cleric puts his hand on his chest, I for one, would rather that did not happen, especially to one of my neighbors. To that end, we are here to put an end to this unfair rumor by uncovering the truth. Bjelich removes his hand and gestures in the old woman's direction, We regarded your residence and thought it to be a beacon. You undoubtedly know this area better than we do. If we might, Bjelich's voice cracks a bit. He pauses to clear his throat, Pardon me, but all this shouting is a little awkward. With your permission, may I approach so we might have a more civilized conversation? Just the two of us?
stuff :)
Bjelich implores the old woman to hear him out...
...but she is too far riled up to reason with. My you are a persistent one! And a wind bag! I believe I have already said I have no interest in talking with you! I may be hard of hearing but you seem to be deaf!
She then calls out, Crow! Make them go! before slamming the window once again. In response, the scarecrow's pumpkin head turns slowly in the direction of the three of you. Its eyes fill with a burning light as it stands up and takes a step closer to the gate. It raises an arm and points you away in a silent threat.
When the scarecrow suddenly animates, Bjelich is not surprised, Hehehe, Why else have a scarecrow when there is no garden? This woman deserves more respect than we have shown thus far. Even though the woman has shut her window, the cleric politely tips his hat in thanks before turning Mokos to leave. Turning to the stoic cavalier he remarks, Well that could have gone a lot better. Bjelich taps Grigor on the arm and points his thumb back to the scarecrow, We should work to put this old lady on our good side; she obviously has magical talents beyond ours...or has powerful friends.
Bjelich suggests the trio spend the rest of the day mapping out this hex before heading back to Silvania to confer with the talented Mikmek. He will engage them in brainstorming some ideas of what to do next.
Danna eyes the scarecrow and the crow Grigor addressed. She turns to the others, Sorry for that, I tried to be polite. She shrugs her shoulders and again focuses on the crow, trying to determine if it is what it seems.
I have no objection to mapping the area, but it is pouring rain. If we really want to stay out in this I would prefer to search the area the boy was last seen. She gazes up at the sky in an attempt to determine when the storm will pass.
Pulling his cloak close, Bjelich does his best to stay dry and take note of the area. Danna, keep an eye on the time, I don't know about your plans for the evening, but I intend to be dry and in a comfortable bed. The cleric reaches into his pack saddle and retrieves some nuts and berries to snack on. He chases this down with some water, It would be a good idea to follow-up with Mikmek's leads. Perhaps there is something more we could find that eluded our talented friend.
Danna stares at the crow, which seems to return her gaze, trying to figure out the nature of the bird. After a moment, Danna realizes the attempt is futile and turns her gaze to the sky and sighs.
As the day drags on and little progress is made, Bjelich turns Mokos north and looks back at Grigor and Danna. It seems the terrain has slowed us more than I'd hoped. We should turn back. If you like, we can pick up where we left off tomorrow. However, my vote is to return to the old woman's house. Waiting only as long as he needs to, Bjelich spurs Mokos on to Silvania.
Kyras raises his head as Danna storms into his office. She blurts out something about some missing children and why is he siting here in his Ivory tower. As quick as she appears she turns and rushes out of the room not even waiting for a response.
Kyras finishes the report he is reading about how some of the guilds are demanding more logging camps and mines in the wilderness. Shaking his head he jots some notes in a well tended ledger book and rises from his desk. Closing the scrolls and books he stores them away and marks the messages that the pages need take for delivery.
Sighing he turns looks out the window in time to see three of the companions mounted and flooding out the gates. Well whatever she was talking about she was ready to go in no time. Mikmek will know what is going on. Signaling to the page sitting just inside the door he sends him off to find Mikmek and Finwick.
After being informed of his location of the Spymaster Kyras heads off to see what he knows. After a short bit of questioning he learns of the rumor of the missing children. Now I understand her rush. We seem to have nothing but lost children in this land. The story of missing children reminds Kyras that Than is still missing as is Kressle.
Regardless Kyras asks Mikmek a couple of questions.
1. How many children are we sure are missing?
2. How long has this been going on For?
3. Do we know who this Bedlame person is? Do you know where she resides?
4. Which direction did the others take?
After discussing the issues with Mikmek and thanking him as well, he asks him to notify him if he hears anything else. Kyras then signals a page to prepare his mount for travel and again asks after Finwick.
As if on cue a second page arrives with a note from Finwick. He scans the note quietly for a moment then shakes his head. He opens his mouth as if to say something to the page for a moment and then silently closes it again. He either has fled the kingdom or followed the others
Kyras wanders Silently back to his rooms the page who brought the note silently in tow. Kyras opens his door seeing the late afternoon sun streaming through his window. He orders the page to have his horse unsaddled for the moment and that he is to be notified if any of the others return to the castle at once. With a curt nod to the page he closes the door to his chambers to ponder what to do next.
It is late in the afternoon, after a long arduous walk in the rain, when Finwik comes upon the swamp. He spies the same column of smoke spotted earlier by Danna and the others. The rain shows no sign of letting up and the day is getting on. Finwik realizes that if he goes any further he will likely have to spend the night out of doors.
Grigor arches his eyebrows at the animation of the scarecrow. Apparently I have been addressing the wrong Crow, he says, but he turns his horse with the rest and moves away from the hut. As the group leaves, after Bjelich taps him and commends the old lady, he says, loudly enough for at least the crow to hear, With a settlement expanding just to her north, this woman is going to have to come to some accommodation soon. At this point, other than that straw golem, we seem to be all that is standing between her and a horde of enraged townsfolk. It would be good to find the boy and dispel some rumours. We can use all the friends we can find in this wilderness.
Grigor suggests that the three Guardians search south just along the lake a bit further, as much as they can while still returning to the settlement near nightfall. Once back, we can ask more questions, such as what evidence anyone has that "Old Bedlame" has ever or would ever take a child, and what else anyone knows about Tig and his interests and habits. And Grigor suggests that the next expedition leave before dawn and fully explore the area just west of Tuskwater, before or even rather than going to the hut again.
As Finwick is about to turn back, he notices what looks like a trail of freshly trodden ground entering the swamp. It looks as though a trio of horses entered the swamp here, heading in the direction of the column of smoke...
Finwik hops off of his pony and approaches the tracks. He knows they must be very recent, else the rain would have washed away all trace of them. With one more look back toward Silvania and a warm bed, he mounts his pony and turns it back toward the swamp. Muttering under his breath he spurs his pony onward, following the tracks that he hopes will quickly lead to his companions.
Finwik rides on for a while longer. Further and further into the marsh. His pony struggles in the soft ground of the rain soaked swamp, almost getting mired a few times. He presses on, following the tracks, which eventually lead him to the source of the smoke. A dilapidated mud-brick hut squats atop a small hummock in the middle of the fetid marsh, a thin tendril of bluish smoke trickling through a gaping hole in its moss covered roof. A waist high wooden fence surrounding the perimeter of the 80' diameter mound is festooned with crude fetishes crafted out of sticks, feathers, and animal bones. A single gate pierces the fence, hanging askew. A fistsized rusted iron bell hangs from a hairy length of rope tied to a crooked post next to the gate. The ground within the fence is thick with bog grass and dotted with small cattail-clogged pools. A pumpkin headed scarecrow is propped up midway between the gate and the door to the hut.
Danna, Bjelcih and Grigor exit the swamp to the south. They scout around for a bit, finding nothing of any real interest, before turning back north. Intent on reaching the capital before nightfall, they skirt the swamp, unaware that Finwik has followed behind them and into the swamp.
As the mud-brick hut comes into view, Finwik takes a moment to consider his situation.
He knows the rumour Mikmek spoke of had something to do with a 'swamp witch' who was stealing children. He knows she has been spotted a few times some leagues south on the west side of the lake.
He knows that he is in a swamp, a few leagues south on the west side of the lake, and that given his small stature he has been mistaken for a human child on more than one occassion.
He also notices that his companions are nowhere in sight. The sun is descending in the sky and he is utterly, utterly alone.
He lets out a small sigh.
Though his instincts scream at him to ride his pony hard and fast in the opposite direction, he figures he may as well see what he can see.
Dismounting from his pony, he takes the reins and walks slowly to the outside of the fence. From there he takes a few long moments to assess the fence, scarecrow and the mud-hut before him. Squinting with his eyes first, then closing them and listening intently, and then lifting his nose and sniffing the air deeply.
Finwik scrutinizes the scene before him but finds nothing out of the ordinary. Everything is as one would expect it.
Knowing that he has few options, he devises a 'clever' plan.
With a silent prayer to all of the gods he can think of off the top of his head, he reaches forward and rings the bell.
A little window opens in the hut and an elderly woman's voice calls out, Who is ringing my bell now!? It better not be smart-aleck, windbag, and the mute!
Back outside the fence Finwik bows with a flourish. When he rises he puts on a charming smile and says My good woman, I assure you that I do not know of whom you speak. I myself am a businessman, come to fill your pockets with gold if you be the woman I seek. He launches into his tirade with a dramatic flare - accentuating his sentences with hand gestures and looking off in the distance wistfully, thinking of a woman who's beauty knows no bounds. I am looking for a woman who's beauty is surpassed only by her wisdom. A powerful woman who is both calculating and bold. A woman who's knowledge of these lands is exceeded by no other. I seek she who they call........ 'Old Bedlame'.
The response is a boisterous Ha! followed by a long fit of cackling. You have the silvered tongue of a snake but the wisdom of a boot! After a long pause she adds, You have the same look about you. And I doubt it is coincidence that you are ringing my bell the same day as those other dunces... but you at least have the sense to be thoroughly respectful. And the talk of gold doesn't hurt either! She cackles again for a spell.
You also seem to have the good sense to distance yourself from the three walnuts that visited earlier. These parts can be dangerous for a lone traveller... Her voices trails off. She then picks back up, Let's say that I am the one you seek. And that you are indeed here to ply me with gold. What is it that you would require of me?
Glad to have brought a smile from the old lady, he replies There are two things of you which I would ask, my good woman. I have two desires and I imagine you have two pockets. Two desires and two pockets, perhaps we can fill a pocket with gold for each request met. He smiles and offers her a wink. He then pauses to look up at the sky and the unrelenting rain. He makes a show of shiverring and pulling his cloak tighter around his body and says The first of which, would be shelter for the night. While not familiar with these lands myself, I defer to your wisdom that such a place is indeed unsafe for a lone traveler.
And the other?
Information regarding a lost boy. I don't much care for children myself, but his disappearance has all the townsfolk fussing about. It's all they ever talk about! I don't much care if he's dead or alive, I'd just like to find out either way so I can end all the incessant gossip. He lets out a loud sigh, making sure she can hear it. Honestly, with all the fussing and gossip, I could see why a person would choose to live out here in a sturdy home amidst a beautiful swamp. Please tell me you have some knowledge of this Tig fellow, whether it be of his whereabouts or of his demise.
You can ease up on the compliments little one. I like you better when you are sincere. While I don't have any specific information about this boy Tig... I do have a few educated guesses as to where you might want to look.
I have a counter proposal to discuss with you, but enough of this shouting back and forth... why don't you come in for a chat dearie?
Crow! Show our guest in!
In response the scarecrow lurches to life, eyes ablaze. It strides towards Finwik and the gate, and pulls it open. Its eyes remain upon the gnome, while its other arm points towards the door of the hut. As if response to the gesture the door slowly opens... revealing the dimly lit interior of the hut but not its occupant.
Come now! Don't keep me waiting!
Finwik ties his pony to the fence and moves over to the gate. As he bows to the scarecrow, he deftly places a copper coin on the ground directly under the bell and steps on it as he rises. He takes a golden coin out of his pouch and flips it through the air and catches it repeatedly as he walks toward the hut, whistling a tune all the while.
As Finwik enters the yard and makes for the door, the scarecrow falls in behind him. It follows the diminutive gnome, looming over him, all the way to the open doorway but does not follow him inside the hut.
Stepping inside, Finkwik quickly surveys the interior of the hut. It is a simple, one-roomed affair; it’s only about 20 feet in diameter with a dirt floor and thatched roof. The rafters are hung with dried herbs and swamp-weeds, and a bubbling cauldron hangs over a firepit in the center of the room.
He also finally lays eyes on the source of the voice. An extremely elderly looking woman with green skin and pointed ears sits on a simple stool tending the fire and the cauldron. She wears simple robes and a shawl. Finwik's practised eye notes what looks like a wand tucked into the waistband of her belt. She eyes him up and down as well before offering, Please, take a seat, and let's talk business, while pointing him to another stool opposite her. It occurs to me that you have not given me your name.
Finwik strides into the small hut and wipes the mud off of his boots at the door. He then enters and bows to the old lady. As he rises, he says Most sincere apologies. My name is Finwik Narthropple. I am a prospector and businessman by trade, though of late I have found myself tasked with representing the newly founded town to the north. It is my responsibility to make connections with powerful entities, such as yourself, that reside within the area. It is of our utmost interest that we do not overstep our bounds or offend any of our neighbours. That being said, I am sure that there are many opportunities for mutual benefit that we may be able to take advantage of. With his last statement he pulls forth a pouch full of coins and lets it drop to the table with a "thud".
After dropping the pouch, he sighs and says If only it were all that easy. I also have to keep an eye on the moral of the town. As I said outside, the disappearance of this boy has all the townsfolk buzzing about in a tizzy. I would be much appreciative he says while glancing at the pouch of coins, then back to the old lady if you had any information that would lead me to the whereabouts of this boy. Whether you have information that leads me to his location or his grave - either would suffice of course, as long as the townsfolk have their closure.
Once Bjelich returns to Silvania, he pays Akiros a visit. Since receiving our new charter, the cleric is has set aside time to offer the fallen paladin counseling. This has mostly consisted of talking about the day's events, trying to put some cheer into him. Once a month, Bjelich will ask Akiros if he wishes to confess to Erastil. Bjelich has been careful not to push too hard with this topic, but he has preached to Akiros the importance of coming to grips with his past as it is the next step toward atonement.
Aside for checking in on the wayward paladin, Bjelich wishes to consult Akiros regarding this Bedlame woman. He asks Akiros if he or any of the other bandits had any dealings with her. What sort of woman is she? Can she be reasoned with or is she a danger?
As the woman listens to Finwik's speech she picks up the pouch and feels the weight of it in her hand. Seemingly unimpressed, she drops it back on the table before responding. So you are working in conjunction with those fools who stopped by earlier then. And yet you mention a desire to not overstep your bounds or offend any of your neighbours? You mean like accusing someone of childnapping based purely upon rumours?
She cuts off any protestation forthcoming from Finwik and continues, As I told those three buffoons earlier, and you just a few moments ago, I have no specific information regarding this boy you seek. What I do have is knowledge of the area that would prove useful to you. I have a few guesses as to who or what may have snatched this child, but rather than accept your generous offer, I have a counter proposal.
The old woman waves her hand about the hut, gesturing at the many plants and fetishes hung about. You see, I am quite accomplished in the art of enchanting baubles, weapons and such. I am working on a project right now, as a matter of fact, but have run out of a key ingredient. Perhaps you and those other three could fetch me what I need? In exchange, I will pay you handsomely... and I will tell you all I know about the area. Including who or what may have taken this missing child.
What do you say Master Finwik? Do we have a deal?
Finwik nods solemnly, the smile gone from his small face. My apologies for the subterfuge. It sounded like my companions had conducted themselves in their customarily undiplomatic way. I meant no harm, but I did not want our negotiations to be hindered by their lack of courtesy.
He eyes the plants and fetishes suspiciously. The ingredients you seek must be very hard to come by if you are willing to provide us the information we seek and pay us as well. He suddenly looks back to the old lady and beams a smile at her. I will agree to your terms, so long as you ask of us no evil deed, nor slight against nature. While I might have no problem with these criteria, I know my companions would never allow it.
The old woman's eyes flicker at Finwik's response. They are very hard to come by indeed. What I seek is a type of mushroom called a black rattlecap. They grow in only one area that I know of locally. It is a mud bowl on the far side of the lake, south of the Gurdin river, where the lake narrows. Almost due south of here as the crow flies.
The mushrooms are about 8 inches tall, black with red dots and have hollow caps filled with tiny hard balls of spores. When shaken, they make an unusual rattling sound.
Locating the mud bowl and picking the mushrooms themselves won't be difficult. What will be difficult will be dealing with the creature that lairs within the bowl.
The old woman's voice takes on a edge of conspiracy and menace to it. A huge carnivorous plant known as a tendriculos. The immense monster stands nearly 25 feet high! It attacks with fibrous vine-like tentacles that paralyse its victims before feeding them into its immense maw, a tendril-rimmed hole capable of distending wide enough to swallow a human whole. If that isn't enough, it is difficult to kill as it rejuvenates with astounding alacrity.
The old woman stares at Finwik, smiling in a wolfish grin with her blackened teeth. Well? Still sound like something you wish to undertake? Or do you not have the stones for it?
Upon eventually reaching the castle Danna heads to find dry clothes. Once that is done she asks the nearest servant if he/she has heard anything about missing children or old bedlame or if they may know anyone who has some tales to tell.
She also heads off to find Finwik, knowing he excels at ferreting out information. Unable to find him she asks around and discovers he left the castle a little while after she, Grigor and Bjelich. After checking the stables and finding his pony gone she quickly rides to the edge of the settlement where they had left and looks around for any tracks. Unfortunately the rain and the companions horse prints in the churning mud have obliterated any signs of his passing.
Ah well, this weather should keep the nasties in their lairs. Hopefully he has the sense to not wander too far and he will be okay.
She informs the others about Finwik and then acts on any information she may have received from the servants.
Finwik taps his chin with his right index finger as he ponders aloud Gigantic carniverous plant with paralyzing tentacles....hmm.... rejuvenation...
He nods at the old woman and says You've got a deal. Would you happen to have any knowledge which might help us in the battle to come? Any weaknessess or resistances this beast might have? Perhaps you have some magical baubles that can help us? Afterall, we won't be bringing you any mushrooms if we all die greusome, miserable deaths.
I will skip the pleasantries and just ask if you know any rumours, or preferably facts, about someone or something named Old Bedlame and some missing children.
I have shared everything I know about the creature... if it has any weaknesses I do not know them. Maybe someone else might.
As for baubles? No I do not. I work for commission, I don't carry inventory. But yes, you are right about your deaths should you be careless. I would try and be quick about it as well. Fighting something that size, it will likely be trampling more and more mushrooms the longer the fight goes on.
Apparently satisfied, the old woman leans back and adds, That concludes one bit of business eh? As for the other, as you can see I don't have much room, nor any real accommodations for you, but luckily you aren't very big. You are welcome to a patch of floor if you still intend on spending the night. Just try and not distract me, I have work to do!
If you are staying, be a dear and stoke the fire would you... I am going to need it real hot! She licks her lips and then turns her attentions to a work bench cluttered with all manner of odds and ends and detritus upon it. She also selects a few items hanging from the rafters and adds them to the bubbling cauldron...
Finwik takes a moment to consider his situation. Night is rapidly approaching and there are likely a number of nasty things out in the swamp that come out to hunt once the sun goes down. He has managed to talk with the 'swamp witch' and not get himself killed thus far; even better, he has struck a deal that makes him useful to her.
Confident that the rare mushrooms are worth more to her than a belly full of gnome stew, he unpacks his bedroll and places it against the wall of the hut near the entrance.
He then stokes the fire and says to her I would appreciate it if you let me stay the night. Is it safe for my pony to be out there tonight or should I move him inside the fence?
Should be safe enough. Crow will keep an eye on it... now shush! I need to work!
Unless disturbed further, the old woman works until well past dark before retiring for the night...
The trio of Danna, Bjelich and Grigor return to the castle late in the day and are greeted at the gate by Mikmek. He asks if they had any luck locating Tig or the "swamp witch". Before you even have a chance to respond he asks, Have you seen Finwik? He set off after you in the hopes of catching up...
Surprised to hear Finwik had left on his own, Bjelich's expression soon turns to worry. How long ago did you say he left?
Finwik sits silently on his bedroll, making sure not to cause any disturbance. He eats a few field rations and looks through his sack, taking an inventory of his items. He spends most of the evening just sitting or laying on his bedroll and thinking about all of the women and ale he will seek out when he returns to civilization. When the old woman retires for the night, he does likewise.