Moving to comply with Laurel's request to open the shop, Alperion quietly corrects her, "I think you ARE in need of rest, Ms. Laurel. There is no 'h' in my name.
"Sorry my dear. I do need rest but I can't sleep now to many people need me."
Alpherion pauses as he reflects on the lessons he shared with his now deceased mentor, "I vaguely recall something Donal once told me about Elderwood Moss, mistress Laurel: it grows on particularly ancient trees in Darkmoon Wood. Alas, that is the extent of my knowledge on the matter. Perhaps someone more skilled in woodcraft or the areas surrounding The Hollow than I might know more."
Laurel sit in deep thought as the group looks over the recipe.
"I don't know where you can find the Rat’s Tail but Ulizmila, the witch that lives deep in the woods might. She’s a crafty, mean thing that knows all sorts of strangeness. She might even have one. I don’t know what she might want for it, but I doubt it’d come cheap. My grandmother traded her sight to the old crone for a few pages of what she knew, and that was years and years back, and I don’t know a soul who got any nicer as they got older. I have no idea where Ironbloom Mushrooms can be found."
Taking a look at the listed ingredients, Serila shakes her head. "I have no idea what these ingedients are. Though, we should not overlook anything that might help cure the illness." She then turns to Alperion and Keanan. "Do you recognize these?"
Serila turns her head to the door when she hears the ruckus outside. "After today you should rest, Laurel. I know you want to find the cure, we all do, but it'd be wise to catch some sleep. You might gain more insight on this crisis with a rested mind."
That poor Laurel will go down first if she goes on like this...
"Don't worry about me Miss Gudlinck I'll have the sheriff keep the people away tonight so I can rest a little.
Alperion takes in what Laurel says about the Witch, Ulizmila, and attempts to recall whether he has ever heard any rumors around town that might aid in their attempts to reason with her should it be necessary to do so.
Keanan wonders if this fungus he’s never heard of is poison.
Keanan sits the fungus sample down and slowly prays for insight into the fungus.
As for knowing the list of ingredients of Elderwood Moss, Rat's Tail (that seems obvious), Ironbloom Mushrooms, I’ll again roll .
Alperion curses himself for a fool under his breath for not remembering sooner and proclaims to all assembled, "Old Milon Rhoddam probably knows more about the woods surrounding this village than anyone around these parts. He's the man we want to see about finding these herbal ingredients."
"Good", Serila says to Laurel. "I wouldn't want to see you get ill, especially now."
Serila looks at the two men, who seem deep in thought. It reminds her of her own lack of knowledge about mother nature.
I ought to have some more knowledge of certain matters. Maybe I should study some of the books dad owns...
Laurel looks at Serila with renewed hope.
Well at least someone in the Perch is worried and willing to help us little people...maybe there is hope yet to turn this town around for the best.
"Thank you dear. Please help me with my customers while your companions figure out what to do next."
Laurel starts showing Serila how to mix some powders.
"Milon Rhoddam does? Then we should pay him a visit soon."
Serila moves over to where Laurel stands and observes how the woman mixes the powders. After taking a mortar and pestle, she follows Laurel's instructions and starts mixing powders too. "What kind of root is this?", Serila asks some time later, holding up a root that somehow took the shape of a triangle.
Another snub to the stoutfolk’s knowledge. Typical of his elf heritage. Mustn't hold it against him that he wasn’t born stout.
“Well, I’m a bit new in town, but through my wanderings I’ve come across the moss not to long ago so that’s not a problem. I’m also pretty familiar with these mushrooms, or at least the kind of places to look. Perhaps this Old Milon Rhoddam of which you speak can help pinpoint a place that I can describe. That is of course, if you would like assistance in finding a cure.” Keanan grins with a smug know-it-all kind of look.
Laurel looks up from her work to see what Serila is talking about.
"That is called Dragon Tooth Root. It got its name because of the shape and if not stored properly it turns hard as a bone/tooth. So please put that back where you found it. It is very expensive."
Looking at the line growing outside Laurel takes the root and waves Serila toward the door.
"Miss Gudlinck would you please go outside and find out what is going on. And while your out there if remind everyone that I am not, in fact, a physician and do not need to be bothered with every scraped knee."
"Uhm, sure." Serila walks over to the door. Before she goes outside she takes a peek through the window, and sees a rather large line of people.
Oh dear...
When she steps outside Serila notices Sheriff Baleson standing next to the door, keeping the line of people in check. "Good day, Sheriff. Though one might wonder about the good part, seeing this line. Are these people all ill?"
Serila looks at the people in the line, and tries to determine if any are in bad shape.
"Good day, all of you. Or at least that's what I'd like to say to you", Serila addresses the people in front of her. "Laurel is very busy trying to find a cure to the illness that's spread. Unless you require her immediate attention, perhaps I can help you instead. I have some knowledge on how to treat regular wounds, and I'm sure Laurel will let me use some of her powders for regular illnesses."
Perhaps I can take away some of Laurel's burden this way.
August overhears the mention of the Lion and remembers it from earlier at the Inn.
Things must be even worse than I originally thought if they are brining in outside help. Plus this is a good size mob of people.
August tries to maneuver himself amongst the people working his way towards the sheriff.
these are mostly just common folk, with their children, but if things get heated, he might need some backup. I should try to see if I can be of aid.
August sees another female human, talking to the sheriff just outside the door.
Quite the line today. Maybe I be of any assistance? I'm new in town, but do not wish to be counted amongst the sick if I can help it.
Serila spots one of the men that ignored her earlier, and sees him walk up to her and the Sheriff. The man then offers them his help, and a chill runs down Serila's spine.
What's he want? I wasn't interesting to him earlier, so he must want something from me now.
"Good day", Serila manages to say with a somewhat forced smile. "My name's Serila Gudlinck. I was just asking the people here if I could help them."
Keanan wanders up to Laurel saying, “You said this witch lives deep in the woods. Any idea exactly where that might be, or is that something Milon might know?” Keanan starts to overhear some kind of chaos outside the door of the shop. “Assuming we get these ingredients, how much of the stuff can you make? Would this cure the entire town or just one person?”
Keanan grows weary of a crowd growing around the store and someone doing something really stupid around Balazar.
"Plus, I know this sounds trivial, but since the Sheriff also put out a word for help in curing this foul disease, we should also meet with him to make sure we follow the law in our quest. Do you think he'll be here soon?"
After your speech some people mumble under their breath"Witch...Angel...Healer" and none come forward to get help from you. Some of the even look scared at the proposition.
As you make your way to the sheriff near the front of the line you get many dirty looks. The sheriff turns toward you.
"Sir, if you are here to see Laurel then please wait your turn at the back of the line. If not then go home or to the Inn. I can handle this crowd. Unless of course you have some skill in healing which may help."
"I have never seen the witch or heard of what part of the forest she lives in. Milon will most likely know.
Reading back over the recipe in the book. Laurel looks up with a smile.
"It looks like the 3 ingredients that I listed are made into a concentrate. So very little of it is need within each dose of the recipe. My best guess is that we could heal a third of the town if need with the quantity listed. She keeps flipping thru the book. "oh, but it says here....the recipe must be made with the right number of ingredients...or the elements will not algin....death will continue...sounds like more hoojoo to me. Just get the amount listed in the book, we might only have one try at this so I don't want to risk it.
"Mistress Laurel, thank you for giving me hope that my mother may be cured of this plague. It seems my next course of action is to seek out Milon at the lumber camp and see if he is able to provide further guidance as to the exact location of the reagents you require. I will leave immediately."
Suiting action to his words, Alperion quickly strides from the shop and pauses when he encounters the large, disgruntled mob.
Seeing the village sheriff, Alperion approaches him saying, "Sheriff, I intend to seek out the ingredients for a cure to the plague afflicting our village. Is there any aid you could render in this matter?"
August is a little taken back by the sheriffs dismissal of him.
Does he think to dismiss me like that? My aid usually comes with a price, but I have just offered it freely.
August turns to the sheriff, standing a bit more upright and brushes back his red cloak in a manner innocent enough as adjusting ones shirt collar, but with the subtle side effect of showing the sword at his belt, and the armor across his chest.
"By the looks of this crowd the owner of this establishment is in need of some assistance. You don't intend on sending all bodies still able to stand on their own to sit and wait for this foul sickness to contracted do you?"
"If there is not yet a solution to this sickness, then I'd suggest you reconsider my simple offer of aid."
For a second a look of stunned shock and anger flashes across Sheriff Baleson face.
"Help!! He grabs Alperion and turns him away from the crowd so they can't hear him. "I'm doing all I can to keep the lower town from a panic inducted riot. Why don't you ask the people on the Perch for help. They could care less what happens down here as long.....damn it son what ever wild idea for a cure Laurel has you chasing you better find it fast or this is going to go from bad to worse really quick."
He releases Alperion's arm go. "I apologizes for that Alperion, everyone is on edge but I should be leading by example and keeping a level head."
The sheriff looks Augustine up and down.
"All thou you look like you can handle yourself in a fight, swords do not cure people of the taint."
Gesturing with his head toward Alperion.
"If you want to aid this town help Alperion find these ingredients to this cure he speaks of.
Keanan is surprised everyone seems to be leaving the shop.
To Laurel Keanan says, “Well, I agree that we should get the exact ratio, but if I come across more I’ll try to get it. It also sounds like quite a commotion going on outside. Not surprising to see that half-elf jumping from one place to another, he’s been acting like a rabbit all morning, unable to focus on simple instructions. But, I feel it a bit more wise to perhaps gather everyone together who you have summoned for help and move as one group. These woods I’ve traveled aren’t to be traveled alone lightly.”
August turns his attention to the half elf.
"What say you Alperion? I assume that if getting these ingredients were a simple task, it would have already been done. Let us find this cure, and be done with it. I have my own business at hand, and I can't be hacking and weezing as these town folk are if I'm to get it done.
Fighting may not cure people of the taint, but if there is anybody that stands between me and these ingredients for the cure, they'll be sorry they did.
Agreed?
August extends his hand to the half elf, as if to seal some unspoken contract to aid eachother in this plight to find this cure.
Something seems to be going on between the sheriff and the stranger, but Serila ignores it for now. She notices no one waiting in line steps forward after her speech, and hears some people mumble. "Witch...Angel...Healer."
They seem to disagree.
Serila walks up to the first person in line. "I'll come up to each of you so you don't have to come up to me. If you don't want me to help, just tell me and I won't."
Let's first see how many I can help without using Heavenly Fire.
"Why have you come? Do you want me to help you?", Serila asks the first person in line. After the first person's reply Serila examines him or her, if that person let's her. Based on what the person says and Serila observes, Serila will then get any medicine the person might need from Laurel's shop and give it to the person.
Serila repeats this process for everyone in line.
"Oh Laurel, I was looking over your notes a bit more and something sticks out like an elf underground: if the disease is ingested, why are people still getting sick after Brookman's Well has been blocked off? It doesn't spread in the air according to these notes of yours, it's ingested.
In other words, for this sickness to still be going on, the citizens of your town are still ingesting it. The sickness comes on within a few days and they cough their guts out, er, sorry for the image. Anyhow, while I don't doubt your story about the well as the source, it can't be the only source.
Seems to me that perhaps the food grown around here might be still getting its water from the underground spring. Or perhaps the livestock are getting the water or eating the grain that transfers to them, then passes to you. Or finally, perhaps that well water is seeping into another well. Which by the way, where DOES the town get its water from now?"
Keanan's brow begins to curl as he ponders deeply at these questions. What are they eating or drinking that is still causing the disease? Is this disease more than just a natural occurrence or was it started intentionally? Why does everyone who stormed into this shop this morning seem to think they can do this on their own? Do they not know these woods are not to be traveled lightly? Will they accept the rule of law, or will this town turn to chaos just to get a potential cure?
"I apologize dear Laurel for so many questions, I know I’m not the sharpest axe in the shed, but my mother did say that I was perhaps wise beyond my beard length. The one thing I do know is that there probably isn’t a simple answer and I suspect getting these ingredients is going to prove difficult, despite knowing where most of them can be found. And Gozreh help all of us if someone intentionally put this disease in Brookman's Well. If that's the case, this is going to be very dangerous indeed.”
I hope these others that have come to help prove trustworthy and honorable to the law. Doubt that half-elf can focus beyond his navel but he surely is motivated with the illness of his kin.
A rough looking man is carrying a small girl about the age of 4 that has a nasty wound on her leg. When you come up to him he has pleading look on his face and tears in his eyes.
Laurel shakes her head up and down as she slowly walks over to Keanan. Leaning in close she whispers.
"Yes, yes master Dwarf we have thought of all that and the Brookman's Well has been check and is currently being monitored by the local Greenfire Druid. He has not found anymore contamination with the well or any other water source in the area. The sheriff knows that we may have had someone intentionally put the disease in the Brookman's Well but for right now we have no idea who so we are trying to find the cure to battle are enemy with, at least until we find them. Even if we do find the person responsible, there is no cure I know of to the Blackscour Taint except the one I just found. So we need to get those ingredients so we can make the cure anyhow. Since you figured that out I would ask that you do not tell anyone until we have the cure. Ok?"
Keanan whispers back to her,
Sadly there seem to be only three people that trust Serila enough to let her help them. However, two of them she cannot help as they're afflicted with Blackscour Taint. "Laurel is looking into a cure for this with some other people, including myself. We'll try to get the cure as soon as we can."
Moving over to the man and the small girl, Serila notices the nasty leg wound the child has. "Hello darling", Serila says to the girl. "What happened? Let me help you."
Children of her age are usually good at heart, lets see if this helps.
Serila places her hand above the leg and a ray of white fire, not at all hot though, comes from her hand.
After using her ability Serila inspects the wound on the girl's leg again. If it's still open Serila gets some disinfecting powders and bandaids inside the shop, then uses them to help treat the girl's wound.
Nebdel sees the small crowd gathered outside the nearby shop. From the shouted comments, he realizes the sheriff he wanted to speak with is present dealing with irate citizens. He strolls near to see what he can overhear.
Hmm… The sheriff is harried with issues that are more critical to him. I doubt he will want to discuss my problems anytime soon. My best bet will be to plant the seed of info and help resolve the issue. Gratitude and reduced stress should make him more likely to help me out.
Sheriff, I agree that those supplies are critical and I will help to obtain some for the town. When you have more time however, I would like to discuss finding a missing person.
He walks over to the crowd and gruffly says, In order for the healer to concentrate on what only she can do, I would like to assist as I can. Are there any among you with physical injuries?
Nebdel will try to gather any injured into the same general area and call on the might of Desna for healing energies.
I would any of you that don't yet have the sickness go home. You will surely be informed when the situation is resolved. Prayer would certainly not be wasted.
Sheriff Baleson glances your way then gestures with both arms toward the mob gathering out side the Roots and Remedies.
"Yes,yes when I have time, unless that person happens to have a cure to relieve these folks of their affliction, which I doubt."
Turning back to Nebdel
"For now you can help Alperion here find this crazy cure Laurel has him chasing down and leave me to handle this. The people of Falcon's Hollow take a while to warm up to outsiders especially one's with mixed ancestry like you and I and would not take help or healing from you even if you offered it. The healing of the sick now will only delay their deaths not prevent it."
He points at Serila moving thru the crowd.
"Miss Gudlinck is already tending to the sick that can helped."
The man lowers the girl to the ground and gives you room to work.
"She got bit by one of those wild dogs that hang out in the slums about a week ago. I thought it was getting better but over night it got red and she has a fever. She is not going to lose her leg is she?"
The man flinches as the ray of white light shoots from you hand.
"OHH"
After a few seconds the wound closes and color comes back to the girl's leg. She stands up and starts hopping up and down with joy. "Daddy, I am all better.
The man grabs her in his arms and hugs her tight to his chest, crying.
"...Tha..nk...You.....Mistress."
Seeing the little girl hopping up and down Serila smiles. "I'm glad I could help your girl. If anything like this happens again just ask for me, and I'll see what I can do for you."
A worrisome expression comes to Serila's face. "These wild dogs... Are there a lot of them?"
I'll have to ask sheriff Baleson if something can be done against them, but now might not be the time to do so... Depending on their number I could go and take them out myself, before or after our search for the ingredients...
A murmur starts within crowd after Serila healed the little girl.
"She is an Angel....magic....maybe she can cure us....
The mob starts to crowd around Serila but before she is surrounded Sheriff Baleson grabs her and pushes her into the shop. Looking at the group of adventures as he fends off the crowd. "Get out of here...find that cure!"
All of you are now in the herbalist shop and can hear random saying from outside. Some are the mob and some are the Sheriff.
"They will save us....Calm down everyone....she is blessed by the gods.....If you are sick go home and rest, have someone healthy wait in line for you.....I hope they find the cure soon."
"What have you gone and done now?" Laurel bellows looking up from her work.
"Who are these two? Pointing at Augustine and Nebdel.
"Back again, eh? It's like watching jack rabbits on a hot roof I tell ya. Sounds like you did some good out there at least." Keanan looks at Serila with a twinkle in his eye and smiles.
"Well, I happen to know about two of the three ingredients for the cure, but as for the Rat Tails, I suspect we need to seek out this human named Milon Rhoddam. I'm told he can lead us to the witch that knows about that particular ingredient. I, Keanan Garnet-Gold, offer my humble services in this endeavor. I suppose I can volunteer my best friend Balazar as well as she seems to enjoy prancing around the forest anyway."