Serila takes the red gem one of the kobolds had on him out of her pocket. "Looks familiar? We found it on the body of undead kobolds that attacked us near the witch's hut. It's infused with magic, but my companions and I have no idea what it could be. Though we expect the witch to be involved."
Un'gra heads into the Sitting Duck when it's a bit slow at the bar. "Hey, I'm looking for my friend. He's a human, tall as me, wears a symbol of Cayden on his neck. You seen anyone like that. "
"Tell me? Pretty please?" Serila asks with her cutest face.
"You found the corpse of the witch?" Whispering to himself just loud enough for Serila to hear." Maybe she is not dead after all?"
Taking the gem in hand Vade's chants a few words as a purple glow comes from his hand. "The gem has a faint conjuration aura to it, but it is not magical. It may have at one time been apart of a magical item. It's magic will only work if reunited with that item."
Vade rolls the gem around in his hand staring at nothing with a look of deep thought on his face. "I would like to hire you and party to escort me to the hut of the witch within Darkmoon Wood. If you agree I will pay each of you 100g and meet you in two days time at The Sitting Duck in the morning." He hands the gem back to Serila.
Serila walks off, and goes to find the relatives of the dead hunters. After some time, Serila finds them. "We killed one of the creatures that killed your loved ones, but the other fled back into the tree. at the time we couldn't carry the bodies back with us. My friends and I will go back into the woods soon, and when we return we'll have their bodies with us. They can have a proper funeral that way."
The relatives take back the signet ring, but tell Serila she can keep the other items. If nothing else happens, Serila then goes back to the high market and sells most of those items.
At the High Market Serila sees August again, and tells him about Vade. "Vade takes an interest in the witch. He bought the skull off of me, and wants to hire us to escort him to the witch's hut. We'll each earn 100 gold, and Vade'll meet us in two days at the Sitting Duck. He doesn't need us to escort him back to town, so we can go to the monastary next, and pick up the dead hunters on our way back to town."
Serila browses the wares, and buys 10 silver bolts . Next, she goes to the Sitting Duck. Here Serila tells Keanan and Un'Gra about Vade as well.
Perhaps I should buy some more, but I'm not too sure on what I'll need... I should probably think it over first?
Keanan thinks it over for a bit. "One hundred gold just for an escort? Sounds fishy. When would we receive payment? Upon reaching the clearing, or do we have to go inside the hut?"
Keanan pulls on his beard for a minute. "Furthermore, as for the hunters' bodies, I care not to do it. The town seems ungrateful. We saved the town, and in exchange, what exactly did we receive from them? We got the opportunity to buy some things, none of which is useful, at a discount. Whoopie. Color me uninterested unless there is some kind of remuneration. Might sound cold to you, but if it's worth doing, it's worth doing for money. I was assuming there might be some kind of monetary reward for saving the town. I was seriously wrong and I won't assume that again."
"What I am interested in is going back to the sight of your death and my near death. There were stairs leading underground that we never checked. I suspect there are valuables undiscovered, and relatively unguarded now that the beast guarding them has died."
"I also want to go to the monastary, but I think we should help Vade first. He knows a lot about the witch, and I wonder why. It seems fishy, yes. But, didn't you want to figure out who caused the Taint? I think the witch might be involved."
Serila thinks for a second. "I think we should do it, but not in our current state. I think we'll need at least two more people to help us, then we'll be totally fine. We'll each earn 100 gold, and we might learn more about the person who caused the Taint. After the witch's hut we can move on to the monastary, and arrive there just one day later."
Keanan became suspicious of everything during the events after my death... Though I don't get why he has problems with retrieving the bodies...
"About the bodies... It's on our way back here, after doing everything else... It's not too much trouble. Didn't you see how my death pained my parents? The hunters had loved ones too." Serila bites her lip and her expression becomes pained. "If you don't want to do it for the town, would you do it for me?"
"Aye, I can do it for a friend who helps. You're helping me, I'm helping you. But I'd like to be clear on when we receive payment for the escort. It's just so odd. Who is going to walk to a witch's hut with 100g on them per escort? Either a very trusting fellow, or someone who has nefarious intentions. I can see it now. We go inside the hut, demand payment, and then he summons a demon to kill us all. Terrific. No, I'd like payment prior to reaching the hut. He can do whatever he wants inside the hut, I need not be there."
Keanan stares at his drink for a bit. "I trust Balazar. I trust your intentions. The others neither trusted me nor Balazar, and that nearly got us killed. I trusted this town to give thanks for our deeds, and all I got was a lousy sale price on lousy items. I am bitter and wiser. I see that I must take things more seriously if I am ever going to acquire the wealth needed to win Codee's heart. I have been naive and foolish."
"I can ask Vade to pay us up front when we see him. Something about him struck me as odd, but I couldn't figure out what. I'll try to bring his interest in the witch up again when talking to him, so I can figure out if there are ulterior motives."
Serila puts a hand on Keanan's shoulder. "Yesterday, when I saw you again in the Sitting Duck, you told me you and Balazar nearly died when a big wolf betrayed you. Please don't be reckless like that again. And that's not a request for me, do it for Codee. You can't make her happy when you're dead."
"Also... those who didn't believe you with the werewolf, those came to rescue you when the big wolf nearly killed you?"
Serila takes the silver arrows from her backpack, and shows them to Keanan. "Know that I'll believe you, which is why I bought these. I could buy more, if you think we might need more? My backpack will become very heavy though... Hey, aren't you able of finding food in the woods? If I don't need my trail rations with you around, I could leave those at my home or sell them. That'll give me some extra room for silver bolts, and perhaps some cold iron bolts too in case we meet different weird creatures?"
As the party is sitting at the Inn a young deputy comes over to their table. "The sheriff has been looking for you. He sent a summons to the group but on one ever showed up to the Tribunal building. The sheriff was worried. Do you have time to meet with him today?"
"I haven't seen anyone who told me I was summoned," Serila says. She thinks deeply, but doesn't remember the person who actually did tell her about it. "I'll come with you right away. You also coming, guys and Balazar?"
Serila stands up, and winks at Keanan when she puts the bolts back into her backpack. "Reward?" Serila whispers in Keanan's ear, before she follows after the deputy.
"Sheriff, huh? This better be good. "
"Would it surprise you that I'm a bit worried about this summoning? I'll see what he wants, but don't assume I'm going to just agree to any old thing." Wow, I've grown so grumpy lately.
The party crams into the sheriff's small office within the large building known as the Hollow Tribunal. Only the sheriff and two deputies, the young man who found the party and a weather worn middle aged man in green robes, are in the small room with them. The sheriff sitting behind a small darkwood desk stands as the group enters.
"Thank you for coming. There are a few things I need to talk to you about." The sheriff signals the group to sit down in the chairs on the wall. "Please sit."
"First, I would like to thank you all for curing "The Taint". The whole town owes a great deal. As appreciation I will give your group anything out of my armory. My deputies and I have collected quite a array of goods over the years."
"Second, watch your backs the Lumber Consortium does not like heroes. They run this town and any threat to their power is frowned upon. My deputies and I have been trying to break the hold they have on this town but it is hard and dangerous work. I, myself have been attack three times."
"Lastly I would like to hear your story so that we may find some clues to who may have caused "The Taint". Shaking his head. "Yes we, Laurel and I, believe that "The Taint" was not natural or by accident. Someone is responsible and we aim to find them."
After hearing their story the sheriff agrees with the party that the next step is to search below the ruins. This might uncover the true cause of "The Taint".
As the party walks out the sheriff thanks them again and reminds them. "The Darkmoon Vale is dangerous on a good day so please be careful."
Keanan shifts uncomfortably in his seat while listening to the Sheriff speak. "Well, I suppose finding the person, or thing, that did it is a worthy goal. Hate for more innocent folks to die. But, uh, being the sheriff, you must have some suspects in mind. Who in this town is crazy enough to do this, but you just lack proof?"
August tries to hide the grin on his face as he thinks of a new spear.
"Wow, thanks!" Serila says as she takes the cloak, and directly tries it on. "It's so cool!"
When given the option to choose items from the armory, Serila think deeply. Eventually Serila names the items she wants.
After Serila's received her items, she attaches the bayonet to her crossbow.
Nice! Now I'll always have something to hit opponent in melee range when they randomly attack me!
"Guys, you all still have access to the High Market today. My house is next to the market, would you like to eat dinner at my place?" Serila will then describe her house to the party, after which she leaves for the High Market.
At the High Market Serila sells her old backpack, and buys 10 more silver bolts. Serila then goes home, where she drops off her trail rations and a stash of 48 normal bolts.
I'll keep these here. The bolts will come in handy once I've used some, and the trail rations don't sell for much anyway.
The sheriff nods his head and turns to the dwarf. "There is always ideas of who may have caused "The Taint" but they are just rumors. Some say it could be the goblins or Orcs from the mountains trying to weaken the town before raiding it. Other guess it to be druids or Fey that don't like the Lumber Consortium and are trying to stop the cutting down of the forest. Then some say it could be a necromancer that wanted a fresh crop of bodies to raise from the dead. Who knows? For now we have done all we can do to eliminate the current threat. We are reaching out to all our allies and resources to try and figure this out. If we find out anything and need your help I will let you know."
"Eh, Serila if you want I'll carry some of those rations for ya, if ya think we need'em"
At the High Market, Un'gra picks up: MW Thieves Tools, 2 CLW potions, 50 silver arrows, and 50 arrows.
Selling:3x Thieves Tools, 2 Daggers.
The necromancer theory sounds familiar. Undead witch who sends undead kobolds to attack us?
"We might, I'm not sure. I think Keanan is able to find food in the Woods, but he might not always find something." Serila hands her two trail rations to Un'Gra, instead of leaving them at her house.
Hajar enters town with the two Gnomes, Fitzwabble and Fredickar, who bustle off to make deals and do whatever industrious Gnomes do. Hajar bids them farewell and promises to meet them in the evening at the local tavern, he believes it is called the Sitting Duck. Hajar then heads over to Temple street looking for a shrine to Sarenrae where he can give thanks for his safe arrival.
"Hmmm, necromancer huh? Sounds like a good start. Since we never did see the witch, it's probably my best guess for now since we did run into an undead creature on our path. Those, scarecrow things, were a bit disturbing as well. Good thing we're going there anyway, probably a good place as any to start."
Keanan pauses for a moment. "I still want to go back to the den and go down the stairs. Furthermore, this is obviously a dangerous quest. We better see if anyone else in town is interested. Sheriff, can you put a notice in town that we're looking for additional people to help us in this circumstance? Maybe we'll attract some decent fellows to join us."
"I will put a notice out for help and have my deputies question some of the town folk again to see if we can find any new leads on the cause of "The Taint". If you will please excuse me I have other duties to attend to." The sheriff sits back down at his desk and starts reading some papers.
The young deputy shows the group out once they have all there gear.
The narrow and muddy track known as Worship Way is filled with criers and beggars. A foul mix of incense and sewage can be smelt hanging in the air. Most of the buildings here are dedicated to one God or another with only one priest or worshiper tending to weird altars.
Finding a small and disused shrine to the Dawnflower, Hajar spends some time cleaning it and making it presentable and perhaps doing a little proselytizing before asking about Serila Gudlinck, the girl who was brought to life.
Un'gra heads to Worship Way after leaving the Tribunal, looking for an altar or shrine to Cayden. If he finds no shrine, he heads to a temple to ask around about Klein.
Walking around town, Serila will try to talk to the townsfolk. She asks them about their well-being, and what troubles them.
Something has to be done for this town. My family gained their status through the Lumber Consortium, but I cannot sit still and watch how the common people suffer.
On her way through town Serila passes through the Worship Way, where she decides to pay respect to Sarenrae's shrine. "Bless you, Sarenrae," Serila says, clasping her silver necklace in front of her chest with both hands.
As Serila passes near the shrine to Sarenrae she sees a tall swarthy Keleshite tending the shrine and saying prayers. He sees her devotion and calls out The Lady truly does shine upon this place, blessing them with a visit from her servant and rescuing a young girl from the grip of the Boneyard.
Un'gra walks past Serila and Har-jar and over hears the conversation.
"Oh ya are the dead girl they brought back from the ruins. Congratulations on not being dead. Ya from around here, right? These clerics seem to not want to talk to me, think you could help? "
August looks for someone in town to see about dying his new cloak, the same dark crimson color as his existing. The red cloak is a signature piece from his mercenary group, and he feels like he must still represent the group that would call him family.
"I will be in Sarenrae's debt forever," Serila replies with a smile to Hajar, "It's more than a girl like me deserves. I can only hope I'll be able to spread Sarenrae's kindness to other people with the life she's given me."
Serila laughs at Un'Gra's comment. "Thank you, that's kind. Un'Gra, wasn't it? I'm indeed from around here. What exactly is the problem you speak of, clerics aren't talking to you?"
A crowd has gathered outside of the open air shire to Sarenrae. Pleading crys can be heard... "Please savior! Help us?"... and harsh yells...""Leave witch!"
"Yeah, I'm looking for my friend, Klein, he's cleric of Cayden. I thought he might have come through this town. Someone at inn suggested I check down here but the temple to Cayden has been abandoned and the clerics seem a bit scared of me. " Un'gra notices the group forming. "This looks bad."
"I'm sorry, I don't remember anyone by that name. I could come to the temple with you, and see if I can convince them to talk to you?"
Serila looks at the crowd and scans it to see how many people have gathered, which people need help most, and which people are likely to cause trouble. "Let's first see how to solve this..."
Keanan and Balazar wander off to the woods. He kneels down and prays to Gozreh for guidance in his new quest. When he's done, he slowly walks back to town, thinking about how Serila was resurrected.
Good people of Falcons Hollow, please becalm yourselves, surely this place of contemplation should be approached with respect? to Serila Hajar says You are the one! Blessed be the Lady of the Morning!