Sighing the Paladin keeps his hand on his weapon, just in case "Perhaps he is the mayor Brutus, though I do not believe so. However, just because that is how I feel, does not mean its the truth."
He looks around, seizing up the foursome and the other patrons "As said, we are not involved in anything that would get you a cut, though what we do might end up getting us cut" He says with a wry smile.
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The man eyes Brutus and then glares fully at the dwarf, leaning in close to speak but making his threat clear enough for all. "You think you'd be the first outsiders to disappear around here, hm?" He smirks slightly at that, raising his gaze up towards the paladin. "Now there is the wise one. In my town one of us will get a cut..."
He trails off as the door to the tavern swings open and the sheriff and his deputy come inside, taking a seat at one of the tables. The older man's eyes keep an eye on the proceedings, though he raises a hand to motion towards one of the barmaids who fetches him a drink.
The bully gives a bit of a smile, though he apparently eases back a little now that it isn't just the group and the cowed villagers there. "Think well on my little business proposal and sleep well lads."
Turning his back quite plainly on the party, the man makes a motion towards the men he was sitting at the table with who quickly finish their drinks and push up to their feet. As the four make the way towards the door he pauses long enough to drop a coin on the sheriffs table and call back over his shoulder towards the tender. "Looks like poor Davan is starting to dry out. That should cover his next round." With that said they slip out the door.
Watching the so called person in charge leave, the holy warrior notes the look on the constable's face. He walks over to him and says softly "Do not worry, once have figured out exactly what led us here, we can deal with that riffraff. Be at ease, for the light of Brith will burn their evil away."
Brutus smiles slightly as Aetherni joins him in challenging this drunken bully. When Vorick steps in and suggests that this could be the mayor, Brutus nods his head as if thinking. "Interesting idea oh Great King of the Mists. But then again, I can't imagine that the good people of this here town would sit by and allow their mayor to spend more time looking after a tankard of ale and harassing strangers than he does looking after his own town." Brutus takes another step toward the bullies, not noticing that Davan walked in and sat down behind him.
"And if you think you would be the first set of drunken ignorant fools that have been put in their place by my companions and I, you would be sorely mistake. You don't scare me. Now, either give me an excuse and regret staying here, or get out of here and quit bothering these decent folk."
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Brutus feels pretty smug when he sees the bully look around the room and turn and motion for his men to leave. It isn't until after they go that he realizes that Davan had stepped in, and maybe that had something to do with how things ended. Looking at the situation, Brutus lets out a sigh, and only then does he realizes that his fists are still clenched. Forcing himself to relax, he sits down at a table near Davan and asks him, "So who were those scoundrels?"
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Davan looks between you as you join him at the table, once the other's have cleared out. "Scoundrels certainly, but don't go making the mistake of thinking of Jim and his crew as common riffraff. The man is clever and his boys are skilled, he set out to find his way and returned some years back with pockets of coin and some ex soldiers for muscle. Could have been a good infusion into the town I suppose, but he just bought that old mill and since farming is basically all we have left round here, made the townsfolk pretty reliant on him. Takes a pretty cut from most of the fields for its use."
He shrugs his shoulders slightly and takes a long pull of his ale. "I'm getting up there in years and the boy has heart but hasn't quite got the sword arm yet. Jim's smart enough that whatever I may know about his activities, there ain't much to prove, and he knows very well that even if I could I'm not so sure we could enact a warrant. But he's not one to be taken lightly and now that you've got his attention, I'd make sure you watch yourselves. Ain't got no evidence of it of course, but we had a tax collector up from Saragost who disappeared a while back after trying to collect from the mill. Don't put much past him."
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Once Brutus move in to talk with the Sheriff Aetherni joins, listening to him.
Even I lost my patience with that one, he can surely be an a+~&+*%. What else can you tell us about the Mill, Davan? We will take a look at that problem. If we're gonna make the world a better place we might as well start here. (...)
We saw some signs of battle near John's tomb. Has anything happened lately?
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The constable frowns a bit at the question and rubs his hand along his chin. "Ain't nothing much to say about the mill really. Its a scam certainly, but a legit enough one. Far as I know, it isn't used in any sort of smuggling or trouble beyond legal extortion. The businessman type of criminal. No other mills anywhere near here and the folks don't have the resources to build their own, not that I think Jim would let a project like that fly if they tried. Just means that he can charge whatever people will bear, and when its their only option they will bear an awful lot."
The mention of battle makes him tilt his head thoughtfully. "A fight out somewhere near town? That wouldn't be anything I would know about. We don't have any real trouble ourselves, but outside of town there are definitely some issues with..." He pauses and casts a glance towards Mogwai before seeming to change his words. "Some bands of hobgoblins, but normally they only cause issues with travelers. Never seen them in town themselves. If they ran into someone and there was a fight it wasn't any townsfolk, all of them are accounted for but the bloom's kids, and those two are youngin enough that it wouldn't have been a fight. Come to think of it, you folks are probably pretty lucky on your timing. Had you showed up a couple days sooner and there would have been some eyes on you for that. But the search is already done at this point, poor folks."
Brutus listens quietly to Davan describing Jim. His blood is boiling at the thought of a such a scoundrel taking advantage of another human being. As he hears the account of Jim taking an extra healthy cut from the locals, something within Brutus stirs, as if he himself had… gone. It was there for a moment, and gone again. "No matter, even a dirty and rotten human like Jim doesn't justify allowing my anger and rage to get the best of me. Control, taming the deep waters of both emotion and potential require focus and control. Letting loose the flood leads to destruction, of that I am certain, but I have no idea why.
A smile brushes across Brutus' face for an instance, but then it is gone as the desire to get away from the crowds, to be alone in quite meditation, to sort out his emotions and his thoughts pushes to the forefront of his mind. Looking around at these villagers, cowed by fear and being taken advantage of, he resolves to spend time alone shortly, but first he looks at Davan and says, "I appreciate the warning, and we will do our best to be on the lookout. But if the opportunity presents itself to bring Jim and his group of scoundrels to justice, I promise that I will take it. I can't stand by when someone oppresses innocent people, it is just not who I am, what little of that which I know at least."
Looking at his companions, he asks, "Forgive me for losing my temper just then. It was unacceptable, and you could have been drawn into a fight that was not for me to drag you into. I will use better judgment in the future." Cracking his usual smile, he adds, "Think I can blame it on the memory loss? Think anyone would believe it if I said I didn't know what I was doing? Ahh well, anyway, food and shelter for the night then? Are we staying here for the eve or do we have other plans for this evening? Maybe we can go and see if the good Father has any room for us with him if we don't want to bother Jim's kin over there." He says nodding toward the man behind the bar.
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Davan takes another drink from his mug at Brutus' speech. "Just remember that some people will accept being pushed for peace. These people haven't had a will to fight for generations. Better just to make it through to the next day."
The questions from the dwarf causes a bit of a shrug. "No idea about the hobgoblin. There are a few different tribes of them from what I can tell, but they have never bothered the village proper and our people tend to know better than to venture out too far. Its just the occasional traveler who has to deal with them, or some of the villages not far off have been raided. Since they have left us be, I haven't had much actual contact with them."
He then frowns. "The kids are a sad thing. Neither of the lads are even 10 yet and are the adventurous sort which is always trouble. Their parents said they were going to pick some mushrooms along the road just south of town, but they never came back. Was about three days now. We did the best search we could, but the kids tracks were hard to follow. Looked like they went up towards the hills to the east but we lost them in the loose earth there."
Brutus realizes that what Davan says is true. The fallacies of the human heart, willing to endure terrible atrocities if that is the perceived easiest route to take. "Sometimes, when people are willing to stand up for themselves, they must be shown, reminded what it means to fight. But we haven't even been here a day, and already we are speaking of rebellion and revolution, even if it is on a small scale. Forgive me rashness Davan."
Brutus looks at Aetherni and notices once more that his cares are for others more than himself. The moment he realizes someone else has problems, someone else is hurt, or someone else is in need, that is where his attention goes. As much as he joked with him, he realized that Aetherni had already earned his respect. "We have our mission to complete, but at this point, we are left searching on our own. I see no reason why we couldn't spend some time helping the good folks of Bronce while we search for the Sword of Starkweather John. It hasn't rained in a few days, we might still be able to follow the tracks, maybe we could find something that was missed the first go round? Who knows, maybe Starkweather John had an affinity for the hills out east of town too."
Mogwai listens relatively passively to the conversation, noting that while he cannot remember much of his past life, he does remember that problems of this sort are fairly common. At the mention of hobgoblins, there is a visible change in his demeanour, the likes of which the others have never seen. He almost snarls at the second mention of them, and spits out the words. "No. Hobgoblins too big coward attack village. Only prey on those small and alone."
Noticing that others are staring at him, practically foaming at the mouth, he realises he is reflecting badly and actively tries to calm down. "Mogwai sorry." He says, somberly, tears in his eyes. "Hobgoblins enslave Mogwai people. Torture them. Weaken them." He falls onto a seat, and suddenly looks very old, and very tired.
Noting that it's not yet all that late, the Drow turns to his companions "I wish to spend a little more time seeing if I can figure out this strange sensation I'm feeling. Would like at least one other to watch my back"
Brutus is taken aback by Mogwai's response to the mention of Hobgoblins. There is most certainly something going on with this goblin. Though his memory is fuzzy on such things, he is certain that most goblins are not like Mogwai. That somehow, this goblin was different, his heart hadn't been twisted by darkness, hatred, and greed. When the time is right, I want to know his story... if he can remember any more of it than I can that is...
Brutus listens as the rest of his team speaks about the plans for the evening, and he has a revelation. "Wait a second, I am the only human in this group, He utters as if this realization was deep and profound, he continued, "am I the only one who has trouble seeing at night?" As the realization sets in, Brutus becomes acutely aware of how limited he might be in his capacity to serve as a scout as he feels like he should. "What else do I have to offer?"
"Part of why I ask is to say that I will be of no help to you in the dark oh your Drowness. While you guys go look, I will get food and rooms so that those details can be taken care of while you are doing some more scouting. Do you think two rooms is enough? I will ask around these villagers and see if there is anything else I can figure out from them about the town or Starkweather John, or any of the troubles going on around here."
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Brutus claps Drombar and Mogwai on the shoulders as he stands up and heads to the bar. When he gets there, he gets the attention of the man who looks a lot more like Jim than he originally noticed. When the man comes over, Brutus says, "First of all, let me introduce myself. I am Brutus Tarsi, and my companions and I would like a good meal and a couple of rooms at your fine establishment. However, before business, I also must apologize for my rash behavior earlier. I lost my head and reacted in anger when I should have been focused and in control. I will not let it happen again, and I did not intentionally endanger your patrons or your establishment. Forgive me sir."
Chuckling at Brutus' sudden revelation the Paladin says "Did you only now realize that? My, your eyes must be dim and your wits slow" He says, continuing to laugh good naturedly "As to the darkness, if it becomes an issue, I can assist with that"
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Aetherni says to Brutus, before he walks off:
Well, i believe we should not split up, but maybe inside the Inn you will be safe Brutus. If only 3 of us go outside it could be rough. Anyway, if there one large room for 5 people available we should get it, and we can keep one watching, as i believe this place not to be safe. I also don't snore so high, i think you might be able to sleep well.
So, your Drowness, really wanna go out?
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"I will go with you, Sir Drow. I wish to see this church for myself. Who knows, I may see something you do not. I have some expertise with ruins, I seem to remember."
Oh joy! I wonder how the church was built. If I was Starkweather John, that's where I'd hide the sword. It's ruined structure would make this an ideal time to discover it's secrets. I wonder what happened to those two boys? Perhaps tomorrow we will find out. Does it have anything to do with the fight we saw at athe tomb?
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The man behind the bar nods his head to Brutus and his apology, studying him a bit. "Fair enough. Name's Bernik and that's Jinnie." He nods his head over towards the barmaid moving among the patrons. "Me and the people here aren't looking to have any trouble stirred up. Jim... He isn't the best of folks, but he's one of ours. If you all need rooms or food or something you can have it, but keep your quarrels out of town."
Well met Bernik, I appreciate your understanding, and we will act with a clearer head and keep Bronce as safe as we can. One of my companions has pegged you as kin to that Jim fellow, are you his brother? Just curious, I don't mean anything by it of course, I think we all have family we don't see eye to eye with on everything." After the exchange, Brutus pays for the room and orders a hot meal at the bar.
Around mouthfuls, he asks Bernik, "As we said earlier, we are new to these parts. I was wondering if you could tell me a bit about Bronce."
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He furrows his brow some at the questions of the town. "Bronce? Don't know what there really is to say. There isn't too much that happens here other than getting smaller every year. I guess most of what of that just ends up being a farmer bringing in a harvest and getting loaded up and having Davan drag him out to dry out. Sad about those two kids a couple days ago I suppose, but I wouldn't doubt if they just ran off and got themselves in trouble. They always were playing some game or another, pretending to be knights or soldiers or what have you. Can't imagine they just went where they said they were going to for some mushrooms."
The inside of the church feels much more oppressive in the dark, the vines and flowers don't have their stunning colors and though the look of the stars shining brightly in the sky through the collapsed roof is almost breathtaking, there is something eerie about the look within. The statue, covered in its flowers which seemed so welcoming earlier now seems more a vague outline, even the light breeze causing them to shift and flutter a bit causing the appearance of vague movement. There is a soft scent from the petals in the air though that gives a feeling of peace even in the spooky setting.
Through a hole in the stone wall you can see rows of thin wooden crosses lining the small cemetery just behind the church.
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Do you feel anything folks? Cause I see nothing worth of note. Did you visit the cemetery back there?
Brutus listens as he eats his meal. Finishing up he asks, I have heard a few people mention a man named, Starkweather John. Do you know anything about him?
After the conversation with Bernik, Brutus will move throughout the crowd, sitting at a table with an empty seat and offering drinks for some answers to a few questions. As the night goes on, and the common room begins to empty, Brutus gets a chance to ask some questions of the tender's wife, Jinni.
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When you take some time with a few of the other people in the tavern, you find one much older man who apparently was the son of a miner and is happy to chat some about what he knew. His father would always tell him ghost stories about the mines, saying it wasn't a matter of the mine running dry or the start of the floods that shut them down, but rather the fact that the lower levels were haunted by some sort of ghosts and on the deepest levels people would regularly hear voices that seemed to come from nowhere.
Mogwai stares at the statue for a few seconds, the curiosity in his gaze steadily mixing more and more with fear. "Sun Worshipper." He whispers, tugging on Vorik's cloak. "Statue moved. Mogwai not like place." His eyes dart back and forth in apprehension.
Walking through the flickering light of the torches, the Drow says softly "I think this town could use a lot of help, and I doubt any but ourselves will lend it"
If any turn to look at him, they will see a tattoo of a wolf on his face, clearly just like those of his companions.
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The goblin's nervousness is clear and understandable in the air, though there doesn't seem to be any sort of actual movement from the statue other than the ruffling of the flowers. The statue simply stands with her arms outstretched forward as if offering a warm embrace.
The cemetery itself is a sad thing in a way, each of the graves are unnamed, simply a cross formed of two sticks marking each body in the soft dirt. Looking through it though you realize that it isn't the lack of markings of the bodies which gives a sense of sorrow but for the fact that the flower goddess has blossoms growing out of the very rocks of her church, the cemetery has no plant life at all within it no less a complete lack of flowers left on the graves.
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Aetherni looks at the pair staring at the statue, and then to the other side. He speaks in a low voice for them to hear:
Hey! I need you two to stand watch, right now, Will'ya?!
He waits for some seconds to see if it's clear and tries to press the cross, or lift the rock, or put his finger in the gap until he manages to open the thing.
Noting the statue's arms have moved, the Paladin does his best to comfort his goblin friend "Be at ease Mogwai I do not believe this place is evil, just a bit spooky, considering. I will check to make sure however." With that, he opens himself up to the divine energies that infuses all.