Bron charges forward and swings one of his kukri's at the creature. Before he can strike at it, the bear swings one of its thick claws at him. The android ducks beneath the claw and strikes upward cutting into the beast's tough hide.
The bear lashes out at Bron and Iophiel with its teeth, claw and tentacles, roaring and throwing its full might into each attack.
Stepping forward again, Nyssa looses two arrows in quick succession.
Kharamell Shoots and bolt of acid at the creature.
Acid Arrow: range touch
Pew pew!
Bron dodges the creature's tentacles, and stays out of its grasp.
Only Nyssa's first arrow strikes the beast as it is slowed from its furious assault against Bron and Iophiel. It digs but remains visible in its purplish fur. Kharamell's magical arrow and Tessara's arrows follow after, sticking the creature's chest and stomach. The acid continues to burn, creating a stench of rotten, mutated bear flesh.
Iophiel yells as the vicious bite from the beast barely cut-off one of his legs, making the angel to flap her wings wildly to evoid crashing into the floor.
Enraged, Iophiel swing her blade against the beast, seeking to behead it.
Iophiel's greatsword hacks into the beast's neck twice, spilling green and red ichor onto those gathered around the monster. The head flies off and rolls into the fallen stumps in the center of the clearing.
"That's gonna leave a mark..." Nyssa puts her bow in its case and begins the search of the tentacle-bear's nest.
Nyssa finds a half eaten body (the lower half) in the "nest". Whoever it belonged to was male. It is covered in green and red ichor, and does not have any belongings in its pockets.
Kharamell inspects the mutated beast.
I doubt this kind of beast attacks are a normal ocurrence, whatever the guards say.
Says Valt, more to himself than anything.
Meanwhile, Iophiel takes off with a flap of his wings, and watches the area, just in case the beast was not alone, and its mate is around.
Maybe it is natural, around here Alexis says as she joins Kharamell in inspecting the creature.
+2 to Kharanell's know nature
Nyssa draws her bow again, and keeps watch out for danger, while her companions investigate the mutant bear and its lair.
"Iadrin's not going to be happy about losing his farmer." She suspects that the town watch doesn't usually have to repel beasts as fierce as this one proved to be, but keeps this thought to herself.
Kharamell believes this was a bear, mutated by drinking Numerian fluids. He isn't sure exactly how it changed or why, but it was affected by the water. It was definitely formed by drinking water and not as an experiment, magical or otherwise.
Iophiel doesn't see any other movement in the vicinity. Alexis doesn't see anything remarkable either.
Let's hope you are right, Alexis, but I fear something is expelling the beasts out of their home, and are wandering into the town in search of food.
We forgot to ask about the menacing machine we found on our trip to here.
Valt makes a pause until Iophiel lands and informs him about her search.
Well, time to give the bad new, as it does not seem there is any other menace to take care off.
"I didn't forget to ask about the Smoke Wizard and her robots. Just wanted to make friends with Redfang before we go asking so many questions."
Nyssa pokes at the bear creature with the toe of her armored boot. She decides that its hide will not make a fine cape, after all.
"Finding a spy is going to be complicated, I expect we can ask about the Smoke Wizard in that context. Perhaps that is who the spy works for."
When you are ready to leave, you head back to High Home. Councilman Redfang frowns when he sees your expressions.
"Bad news for poor Jevik?"
A twisted bear, or something like that, killed him I am afraid.
"Damn. It was unfortunate that Jevik was killed. He was a good man, if a little strange. We'll take care of his farm, likely build the Elkhorn Wall further around the town."
He nods. "I can't recall if I offered, but you may stay here at High Home should you require rest and accommodations. Most travelers use this place, if they cannot find a farm to stay at. If you are ready to search for the spy, you can speak with the Ealdorman. He lives in a house near the southeastern gate." Redfang points to a map and shows you the house.
"Sorry the news couldn't have been better." Nyssa's demeanor is somber. "That twisted bear creature we killed, seems to have the same affliction as the beasts your guards are killing outside the front gate. Do you have any idea where they are coming from?"
Kharamell nods at the councilor's words.
"Probably anywhere from the blasted landscape. If you're from Numeria, you should know that beasts like these are common. They just have to eat or drink something contaminated from a Numerian ruin, or catch it from another beast. As for this particular bear, probably from the forest to the east."
By the forest to the east, do you mean the same forest the houses the tower of Furkas Xoud, Smoke Wizard?" Nyssa hastens to explain. 'We encountered a talking war machine that claimed we were trespassing on the territory of a person of that name." With a small shrug, Nyssa adds. "Naturally, we are curious about it."
"We don't know anything about the smoke wizard. Rumor is that he died a long time ago. We haven't had any encounters with him or whatever foul creations he has made. But, yes, that is the same forest. I would advise you that it is very dangerous to go to such a place, but I know that you are adventurers and that is what you do. Take care if you should ever go to his tower." Redfang sniffs, then begins to walk away. He turns around at the door. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a meeting to attend with some of the council."
Redfang leaves High Home.
So, what now? Any of you have any idea of how to search for a spy or how to start doing it?
Or we can eavesdrop the council meeting to get an idea of what they are scheming. Says Valt, the last part only when the group is alone and in a whispering tone.
"We could start by talking to the Ealdorman."
Kharamell would like to listen in on the council meeting. He can get a better feel of the most folk that way.
Nyssa heads down to see the Ealdorman. Sneaking is not her strongest skill.
Nyssa, Tessara and Alexis head to the Ealdorman. They head southeast along the road to the Ealdorman's single story wooden house. An old man with graying hair in simple woodsman's clothing is standing in the sitting in a rocking chair on his porch. He waves at you, as though he knows that you are coming.
"Come, travelers. Would you like some tea?"
---
Valt, Kharamell and Bron find out the meeting place of the council, an area just outside the town in a lightly forested area. There are a few hunters and Redfang that meet up. They talk about regular town business, amount of mutated beasts, Kellid and Technic League patrols, and Numerian ruin hunters. One person talks about relaxing technological restrictions in the town, but he is quickly outvoted. Another member mentions your group but Redfang defends you from any hostile and/or hasty actions.
Kharamell listens to the proceedings and tries to get a feel for the councilors.
"Tea? Yes, that would be lovely." Nyssa approaches observing the fellow closely, almost without thinking about it. He seems pleasant enough, but you never can tell...
Tess can't help but give a small smile at the old man. "Some tea would be nice, thank you." She pauses and takes a look around. "You have a lovely home."
The Ealdorman hands Nyssa, Tessara and Alexis tea. Tasting the "tea" they realize that it is a very potent alcohol.
"It's a little weak, but it's still only the afternoon. I usually drink the strong stuff at night."
He seems to be a truthful and open fellow.
"Now, what is it you would like to ask me?"
"Tea indeed!" Nyssa splutters a bit, then takes another tiny sip. "It's not bad, but maybe don't tell people it's tea. Gives the wrong impression."
Nyssa grins at the fellow, she doesn't begrudge the fellow his joke. Next time she'll smell before tasting.
"Iadrin sent us. There was a spy problem he wanted us to work on. Said you were the man to talk to."
yes your ideas would be valuble in this.
The old man nods. "Aye, yes. A few weeks ago, one of our hunters shot down a mechanical bird. Was flying north, apparently from the village. Had this note with it. Didn't bother reading it, as its best not to deal with this technical language. Here, you can take a look at it if you want."
The Ealdorman hands Alexis a paper. On it is written Androffan writing in a quick, sharp handwriting.
"Locals identified the southern spring as the source of the area's mutations and now avoid it. Afflictions consistent with mutagenic gas poisoning, as you posited from Silver Mount expeditions. I will explore with caution; locals avoid the area and my current cover would seem noticeably out of place were I discovered there."
Nyssa peers over Alexis' shoulder as the bard reads the note.
After a few moments of thought, the fighting woman comments: "Seems like your 'spy' is interested in the southern spring. Perhaps it should be investigated." Nyssa looks directly at the old Ealdorman. "A search of your town might turn up more of the mechanical birds, and give you a strong indication of who your spy is."
The old man frowns. "That can't be an option, I'm afraid. We can't very well be causing a panic in the town. They'd start attacking all the newcomers in Iadenveigh, and well, I don't suppose you'd want a whole town of hunters and farmers attacking you. It's all up to you, though. I'm just an information sharer."
After finishing your "tea" and asking any other questions of Ealdorman Ivek Gunnett, who tells you the location of said spring, you reassemble the party.
"That's alright, I understand. It's best to honor the sanctity of hearth and home."
Nyssa sets the cup down, finished. 'Thank your for your hospitality, Ealdorman."
Once the group is reunited, she waits for someone else to speak up.
Valt decides to eavesdrop at the council, but without taking too many risks. With some smart use of his ability to make Iophiel invisible and her ability to fly, they shadow the councilman to the meeting point as stealthy as possible.
In fact, the summoner give the work to eavesdrop to his reliable companion, Iophiel. If the worse comes and she is going to get catched, he will make the angel go "puff" into hes native plane.
Putting together the information you gathered, you realize that the spy may have some connections to the Badwater Springs in the northeastern part of town.
With the council meeting not giving any clues, Kharamell thinks option 1 to be the best.
"The spring might be of interest to us as well. Let's go have a look."