Tae, not intimidated by the half-orc woman, steps forward and smiles at her. "Hi.. I'm Tae, and I'm sorry for your troubles, but it seems fortuitous we came along when we did. maybe we can help you with your fallen? Healing perhaps, or burial, as needed?"
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"Are you alright, lass? Where'd those foul creatures come from?"
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The Half-orc lets her bow slacken and she goes back to the body she was standing over. "Veghazi no time to bury. Must get these people out of here. Devils will be back in no time. Was tracking foul creatures all week, stalking these people. Veghazi try to warn but...Veghazi was too late."
She lifts the well adorned man and looks around nervously, not sure how to handle this.
Seeing the action end, Arileth sheaths her blade and trots over closer to Hali and the other half-orc, ensuring that the fallen human, the half-orc and Hali are within thirty feet of her. "If any are still alive, my goddess may still be able to save them," she says. She then holds her right hand in the air and closes her eyes. As she silently prays, a mark just beneath and to the side of her belly button takes on a faint glow. Another wave of light emanates from her, washing over the injured and healing their wounds, and the mark's glow slowly fades.
"If you're sure they'll be back, you're right, we should get the survivors, if any, out of here... and it's nice to meet you Veghazi. Thanks for the warning that they'll be back... I'd have hoped we had driven them off for good, but I guess not. We will not be so unwise as to ignore your warning."
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Ishingka's rage dissipates, causing her unused talons to disappear and her frame appear to shrink to her normal fearsome size, although she is still enlarged by Hali's spell.
"Hail, cousin Veghazi. I'm Ishingka. Friends, let's see who can walk. Those who can't, we may have to carry." She offers Veghazi some of her water. "Is there shelter nearby, Veghazi?"
"I'd like t' see 'em try t' come back," Hali growls out. He lifts one of the fallen onto his shoulders. "Let's be movin' on"
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She lets out a deep sigh as she continues her work and you aid her. She gives a smile to Tae and seems a bit..uncomfortable with Ishingka, almost out of reflex but quickly unclenches Town not far. But we must move.
As you begin examining the bodies you see the man she is standing over has all of his equipment marked with the same sigil - a Badger standing its ground. It is very nice equipment: a masterwork longsword, a masterwork mithral chain shirt, and a masterwork heavy mithral shield. He also wore an obsidian arrowhead necklace around his neck and a silver signet ring on his left hand.
This is the sigil of the Arwyll Family, the founders of Arwyll's stead.
You notice that the bodies laying are mixed together, and Veghazi seems to be quickly pointing out which ones she wants saved.
Unfortunately, Arileth's healing was for naught, all of these creatures are dead.
Most of the bodies belong to orcs or devils on one side and humans on the other. There is also a tiefling, which upon closer examination is fairly decked out and appears to be some kind of spellcaster or witch, a squashed toad at her feet. When one of you goes to lift or touch her body Veghazi will hiss at you
Leave her. Cursed. Evil. Does not deserve honor. Leave for vultures
Tae casts detect magic and removes the tiefling's equipment, magical and not - anything that looks to be of value. "She may have been evil, but her equipment is valuable, and we need to take it with us."
Arileth furrows her brow at Veghazi, a huge question mark written on her face. "Your sister...?" she asks, mostly to herself.
She helps police any belongings that look valuable or magical, then runs back to retrieve her horse. The combat-trained mount had remained rooted to its spot during the combat, and readily follows the elven cleric now. "Place him on Asfaloth," she suggests, motioning at the fallen nobleman and then toward her saddle.
Tae helps recover things of value for use or sale, but not with moving the nobleman's body.
A half-orc woman that tries to protect humans from orcs and demons, but flinches away from other half-orcs and has a half-demon sister. What be goin' on here?
"Lass, can ye slow down a bit and tell us what's goin' on here?"
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"Did you say your name was Veghazi? I've never met anyone named Veghazi before. What's with all of the bug-wing-flying-thing-or whatevers?" Jag asks, slowly speeding up as he talks.
"What else can we-help-with?" Jag asks anyone, pointing to himself and Ussur. The pause is accented by a rumbling stomach from one and or both of them. "And how far is town?"
Hali looks at Ishingka. "We'll be walkin' in blind to a situation we know nothin' about. We don't know friend from foe, lass." He shakes his head and does as she asks.
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"I agree, Hali, but out here isn't safe either. At least getting to town changes the situation," Ishingka finds herself rapidly shrinking. "Well, that was quick. We'll talk and walk. Don't bother burying anyone, just check their things."
"Someone keep an eye out and an arrow nocked. The skies aren't safe," she continues. "I'm a heap of manure when it comes to distance fighting."
Hali gestures at his longspear. "That's th' best distance I got."
"I'm not bad with my bow, but I fear it doesn't cause as much havoc as a larger one might." He hefts his halfling-sized longbow as evidence.
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Picking through the remains of the tiefling, Veghazi spits on the body and begs you to wash her belongings before you use them. They include three little tokens, two feathers and one whip, all of which detect as magic, an ornate feather necklace, and finally a scroll. When questioned about the sister comment, she tries to avoid the subject.
As you lift the dead bodies, a letter falls off of the body of the man with the fancy clothing. Presuming you pick it up and read it, it says the following:
[i]Wate,
The attacks on the borderlands around Arwyll Stead have obviously become more frequent and purposeful. I fear what the orcs of the Hell's Fury tribe are plotting_it can't be good, judging by their diabolical company. My scouts and I have still not been able to locate the squad that went missing last week. As we discussed, I will continue searching along the banks of the Path River for any sign of our missing comrades before rendezvousing with you in town tomorrow morning.
P.S. We are not alone in our search. I spotted an elusive hunter tailing my party for the past few days, though she is clearly benign, since she has had ample opportunity to kill us in our sleep. She hasn't made her presence known in a little while, and I would not be surprised if you spotted her as well. [i]
Presuming you still wish to make haste, you hurry up and leave using Arileth's horse as a pack animal to drag those bodies before leaving for Arwyll's stead.
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Hours later you arrive at the town of Arwyll's Stead.
People shoot suspicious looks at you, especially at Ishingka and Veghazi.
They see the big stack of bodies you bring and these suspicious looks quickly turn to murmurs, turn to a near-riot as seemingly the entire town turns out to try and surround and stop you, the questions being barked at you:
Who are you?
What are you doing here?
We should stone them before they cause trouble!
It is difficult to identify any sort of authority figure in this scene and the situation seems to be teetering on the edge of becoming a real incident.
Arileth scans the crowd, then raises her voice. "" she says. ""
"Please everyone just be calm and relax, we are simple travelers who encountered a fight in progress and put a stop to it. Sadly not before your folk were slain, but at least we recovered their bodies for you.. I'm sorry we were unable to do more."
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"My name is Ishingka," says the bloodrager, suddenly wishing she had a Taldan name. "We found a note on this man. Apparently this was the work of orcs of the Hell's Fury tribe." She gestures open-handed at the man in the masterwork badger-sigiled equipment, and extends her hands open and downward, empty. "We are here to help, not harm. We are not orcs. Please, just listen."
Hali watches the crowd uneasily and at first seems content with what Arileth says. But as his companions speak up, he decides to add, "And I am Hali Silverforge, a servant of Trudd and NO FRIEND TO FILTHY ORCS!" He bellows at the end, then glances at Ishingka and mumbles "apologies."
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The crowd calms down a bit as a middle aged man, sweaty with eyes creased from stress wanders to the front of the crowd, impressed at how you were able to calm the crowd...until he sees Wate Aryll's body 'Oh! Oh dear...
He turns pale and turns away looking utterly panicked. Th-thank you for bringing the body back. he says as if holding back the desire to wretch My name is Darrell Proum, the elected mayor of Arwyll's Stead. B-by all means - please make yourselves at home. Get yourselves patched up at the Temple of Iomedae and then come to my house so we discuss...these happenings.. in private
After seeing the mayor endorse you the crowd slowly loses interest and goes back to their lives, many looking worried and upset, several in open weeping over the loss of Wate Aryll.
Hali looks at Veghazi. "A'righ' lass, we made i' here. Tell us wha's happenin'."
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Veghazi looks reluctant to speak but says "Just did the right thing..Veghazi think that should be enough"
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As you are taken into the manor house of the mayor there are three people waiting for you. The mayor as you met early, a taller gaunt looking pale skinned man with Chelish features and a darker skinned more elderly looking woman who bears the traits common out of ustalav.
The three seemed to have been deep in discussion when you came in and all three breath a sigh when they see you, welcoming the break from whatever deliberations they were making.
The mayor steps forward, a bit more put together now than he was earlier. The Chelish looking man produces some sort of scroll like he is prepared to take notes while the woman seems to be sizing each of you up.
Once more, we must thank you for delivering the body of Wate Arwyll... he was very precious to us, as you might have gathered. His family basically ran this town for generations since its founding and he unfortunately... was the last of his line. Too preoccupied with the orc invasions from the Hold of Belkzen to be much of a paramour. Plus there were rumors about him that he...wasn't interested. He coughs awkwardly before continuing and shifting gears
But please tell us, what happened how did this happen, and just what are all of you doing here to have happened upon this?
Bait looks confused... whispers wasn't interested in what?" then shrugs if no one tells him, sighs.
"Well, I was following up a lead on a half-orc bully that was hiding among an orc tribe out this direction when the trail went a bit cold. That's when I ran into these folks... I don't know why they're here, I .. um... didn't think to ask, they were just company on the road, ya know?" He hugs his cat to him, then puts her down as she wriggles to get free.
Hali frowns, not very happy with how little the woman shares. Why won't she tell us about this "sister" of hers?
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"I am a collector of relics. My hammer and helm belonged to valiant holy dwarves of my faith, and I seek more such items. My search has lead me to this place, and I fell in with this lot on the road here."
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"I am here, along with Ishingka, on a matter relating to the Pathfinder Society. As for the bodies--we stumbled upon a fight between orcs and the patrol while we were on the road. Our half-orc friend," she gestures at Veghazi, if she is present, "was defending this Wate's body against a trio of gaavs, the only surviving opponents at that point."
Arileth shrugs her shoulders. "I do not know whether you face an impending invasion. The orcs had a tiefling with them, but she was slain before we arrived, just the same as the orcs. You should definitely be aware that you lost that patrol."
The elven cleric produces the letter the party had found on Wate's body. "Perhaps this might shed a bit of light on the situation, as well. It was in Wate's possession."
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"Hsh, Jag, they're doing their best," says Ishingka to the tiny brawler somewhere near her knee. "If there's an impending invasion, we're certainly good at repelling invaders. As Arileth has mentioned, the Pathfinder Society has sent us to the area, and we can discuss our purpose in private once we assist you in determining what happened to Wade and the others."
Ishingka glances at the Chelish man. Hmmm...
"I don't know if you're facing an invasion or not, but I would be happy t' help this lot bash some orc and demon skulls in fer ya' should it be needed."
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They look over at Veghazi and nod appreciatively So we have this woman to thank for the safe return of Wate's body...and it seems that the other patrol separated from Wate, so hopefully they will return before too long. And what exactly were you doing there. You are certainly not familiar to us...And yes, sadly, Thael Wate was the last remaining member of his family. I don't know what we'll do about that exactly since the issue of his inheritance is going to be a very sticky one. Just about everyone in this town can claim about the same level of relation to him, which is tenuous at best.
As the woman scans Veghazi she spot her ring and looks at it, noticing the initials "A.W"
Where exactly did you get that... Gallus take a look at this does that look like... She says quietly
The Chelish man drops the pen and Ishingka now recognizes the man as Gallus Crevak, the man she was sent to see. He inspects the ring and mutters Why yes, that does appear to be Wate's signet..how did you..
Veghazi looks very uncomfortable and embarassed and pulls away He gave it to Veghazi... long ago. Veghazi knew Wate...from long ago. Precious to Veghazi
The three look puzzled. Proum, sweating profusely, speaks up That doesn't sound like something Wate would do... are you sure you didn't take it from him before these people came upon you? This is an heirloom of Wate's it should be burned with him, dont you agree?
Veghazi turns away and curls up, apparently not willing to part with it.
Hali watches the girl with a curious look on his face. "Th' lass's story may be true. I think there is more to 'er..."
"Why don't we all talk this out before making any accusations... Veghazi's tale may be true, and it would be wrong to assume otherwise out of hand."
"Veghazi, you need to work with me here... you are acting like you have something to hide... things will go better for all of us if you just come out with the truth so they will understand. Until you do, you will continue to look as if you have something to hide, and that will make them think you are guilty of something worth hiding. Please Veghazi, tell us the tale."
"Aye lass, maybe we can help ye."
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Perhaps it is because Tae appears to be a human child, or maybe his tongue really is just that silver, but she appears to calm down and begins to tell her story.
Long time ago, Adil and other humans get captured by Mother. Mother started killing the humans. One at a time, in private place. Veghazi not like this. One thing to kill in battle, but...this was not right. Veghazi free Adil and other human. Adil give Veghazi ring.
Proum and the woman look at each other quizzically. I have never heard this story...It was before our time. But...something about this doesn't seem kosher. We can't just take your word for it.
The trio of elders look troubled as they consider this before continuing
If you have anything to ask of us, please do so, but otherwise the three of us need to consider what is going on and what we plan to do and until then...we would appreciate it if your group stayed here in town. Your departure and the absence of the excitement your presence is causing could cause our situation to deteriorate some. If the Hell's Fury orcs were behind us they could be planning something and with our patrols gone missing...having able Pathfinders like the three present here, Ishingka, Arileth and Thael, could be quite the boon. We will send word to the blissful badger and pay for a pair of rooms for you, just for the night. Does that sound okay? The mayor will say choosing his words carefully, clearly hoping not to offend you.
Perhaps Arileth can cast zone of truth tomorrow and verify that Veghazi speaks truly... would that appease you all? And Veghazi would you agree to allow yourself subject to a spell that will prove your honesty?"