"I agree. Something must be done, and I think we can be the ones who do it. What time do you need us to depart. I would like some time to resupply before we leave.
I don't need anything before we leave so I'm ready to set out as soon as the others are. That said, I'd prefer to leave sooner rather than later, The sooner we leave, the more time we have to prepare. I think that It would be best to ambush the goblins that come to the village, if we get one alive, he might be able to tell us more about what they have done.
"While I want to get there ahead of time to prepare, I don't think an ambush is necessarily best idea. We can discuss some ideas later tonight and come to a consensus."
"Borden, I wonder if you could tell me more about the symptoms your village faced"
I asked borden about how quickly the villagers recovered after the payment to Belig
You expect Belig to return for your supplies? Around what time of day does usually arrive? I'd like to have some time to look around Thistle before he arrives.
Borden replies We are to meet him in a small forest clearing at mid-sun the day after next. We can leave mid morning or so tomorrow and get to the village. You can have your look around and we will put you up for the night. The following morning we'll take the wagon on to Belig in the clearing. It should take about 2 hours to get to the clearing once we set off; the path is more of an old logging rut than a proper road.
When you speak of resupplying, Lord Wildhurst says Galduria offers many fine shops, I am sure you will find all you need here. You should be able to gather your supplies before you depart tomorrow. However, I know your business is a dangerous one and I would not see you unprepared or unrewarded for what you are to do. After dinner, we shall discuss terms and you will receive an advance on your reward to spend as you see fit. Furthermore, I have not forgotten the great deeds you performed last night. Gold and riches cannot fairly offset my debt to you; in fact they would only cheapen what you have given me. Instead, I will ensure that while you remain in Galduria and any time henceforth, you may shop here at considerable discount and may call upon me if you find yourselves in need of my aid anywhere in the city or the villages nearby While Lord Wildhurst is indeed pleased with all of you, he remains troubled whenever he talks of the attack on his home.
"Your hospitality is very fine, I must say. With my caravan contract over... it would do me well to set a few goblin heads knocking. Particularly if this fresh hell finds its way home to my family... I'm in."
"As much as I like the idea of an ambush, I think we need to find out more about these goblins before we strike. I would suggest that you all investigate the town to see of you can determine if Irra's theory about the well is correct and attend the meeting with Belig. I could travel to the town separately and after your meeting with Belig, I'll follow him and act as if I want to get in on his scheme. I've been around a few criminal types so I think I can approximate the mannerisms. With any luck, he'll let me in on what their plans are and where they reside and we can strike a decisive blow against them. What do you all think?"
"that sounds like quite a risk, both for you and for the town. It sounds like the town can ill-afford losing more of its supplies, and if things go wrong for you, you will have no support. There is no guarantee that a second opportunity for ambush will present itself, and I am loath to give up the element of surprise. I think something less subtle is called for. "
You expect Belig to return for your supplies? Around what time of day does usually arrive? I'd like to have some time to look around Thistle before he arrives.Borden replies We are to meet him in a small forest clearing at mid-sun the day after next. We can leave mid morning or so tomorrow and get to the village. You can have your look around and we will put you up for the night. The following morning we'll take the wagon on to Belig in the clearing. It should take about 2 hours to get to the clearing once we set off; the path is more of an old logging rut than a proper road.
"Sounds like a plan. We'll be ready."
When you speak of resupplying, Lord Wildhurst says Galduria offers many fine shops, I am sure you will find all you need here. You should be able to gather your supplies before you depart tomorrow. However, I know your business is a dangerous one and I would not see you unprepared or unrewarded for what you are to do. After dinner, we shall discuss terms and you will receive an advance on your reward to spend as you see fit. Furthermore, I have not forgotten the great deeds you performed last night. Gold and riches cannot fairly offset my debt to you; in fact they would only cheapen what you have given me. Instead, I will ensure that while you remain in Galduria and any time henceforth, you may shop here at considerable discount and may call upon me if you find yourselves in need of my aid anywhere in the city or the villages nearby While Lord Wildhurst is indeed pleased with all of you, he remains troubled whenever he talks of the attack on his home.
Darnak nods. "Much appreciated. And we're gonna end this goblin problem, sir, don'tcha be for worryin'," he states confidently.
"As much as I like the idea of an ambush, I think we need to find out more about these goblins before we strike. I would suggest that you all investigate the town to see of you can determine if Irra's theory about the well is correct and attend the meeting with Belig. I could travel to the town separately and after your meeting with Belig, I'll follow him and act as if I want to get in on his scheme. I've been around a few criminal types so I think I can approximate the mannerisms. With any luck, he'll let me in on what their plans are and where they reside and we can strike a decisive blow against them. What do you all think?"
"I'm in agreement with V'Thamuus. I can tell ya now, goblins don't trust any who aren't goblins. By Torag's hammer they don't even trust those that are goblins! There's no chance you'll earn their trust. Like ever. This Belig is workin' for someone. Or, more than probable, is forced to do someone else's biddin'. That's how ya get a goblin ta work for ya. By force. 'Cause he's not interested in just lettin' ya know what his plans are because you're friends, let me tell ya." He pauses a moment and scratches his beard as a look of thought is upon him. "Yeah, no, we gotta jump 'em. We bring out the supplies, they move to take 'em, and then we take 'em out. I would say 'simple as that' but I'm thinkin' it's not gonna be that simple."
"Perhaps your right but I worry that this doesn't end with Belig and if we ambush him, it may be hard to figure where this leads after him. If we are set on the ambush than we must ensure that Belig does not escape ... or die."
"I do not disagree, Longfeather. We do need to keep him alive to find out who's givin' 'im his orders; or who's controllin' 'im or whatever." Darnak then cracks his knuckles before, "I can beat 'im unconscious; that'll not be a problem," he winks.
"That, my friend, goes without saying."
I'm of a mind with Darnak and V', The way I see it, your village cant afford to give anymore supplies to those green bastards, so I say we ambush them while we have the chance, This way we can take Belig, and perhaps the goblins with him as well, alive. If he is the mastermind, we find where the goblins are hiding and wipe out the goblins. If he is a puppet, which very well may be the case, we find out who is calling the shots, and make sure to kill him as well as Belig and the other goblins. Naturally, I stand ready to interrogate the goblin prisoners along side Darnak.
As your conversation begins to wind down, Lord Wildhurst approaches your group in the sitting area you chose for your after-dinner discussion. He seems nervous and maybe even a bit intoxicated. He gives you all a grim smile and then pluges into a very strange speech.
If you had known what I was asking of all of you, what I am now asking of you ... But you will say yes, of course you will. You're still young. I too said yes to a great many things I shouldn't have when I was young. I know better now, too late. Listen closely. The mission to Thistle is important but it is not why I send you there.
There is a storehouse, a guesthouse - a depot really - two hours upstream of Thistle. When I was young, I was sent there to raze the place. To burn it out once I taken from it certain books my employers wanted. Set the place ablaze so their enemies could not use it against them. I did it, or tried to. It had rained all that week and my fire would not light. I could burn out only one storeroom before the choking smoke sent me back. The entryway caught fire as well and it teetered on the edge of collapse. I was afaid to pass through it again.
I want you to go back to that compound. brave the entry way if it still stands. Find out what that place was, and who would want it destroyed. Somewhere within must be a clue to the people that built it, the people I worked for, the people that ... Bring to me all the information you can find. Take my signet ring when you go. When I went on my last mission, my employer put a spell on this ring; marked it in some way so that the doors would open before it. Bring it back to me quickly though! If they see I am not wearing it. They'll wonder. Maybe they will know. Do not be gone overlong. They are watching.
This strange narrative bursts out of him in a rapid torrent. Now that he is finished, you see he is exhausted and extremely worried. He seems unsure what to do or say next and looks to you with a mixture of fear and hope.
"Sir, why have you waited so long to take action on this task? Do you have reason to believe the knowledge within this place is likely to sought by malicious forces soon or that your former employer might go to check that job was done thoroughly?" Longfeather says eying the man up.
"Do you suspect the goblin attacks and your ' mission ' are related. If so, please to tell us all you know about your previous employers." V'Thamuus is less enthusiastic. What started as a mission of mercy is transforming into a clean-up of a feckless and corrupt noble's mess. "This might be retaliation for your lack of success earlier." But real people are being harmed. Helping Wildhurst helps others as well.
"And of course, you understand our first priority will be the people of Thistle.
"Look, sir, we really need ya need ta be tellin' us everythin'. We're here ta be helpin' ya, not hurtin' ya. And I'm as curious as V'Thamuus: Who are, 'they'? Whatever you can tell us, might just be the key into bringin' down these goblins, and those pullin' their strings."
Lord Wildhurst sits down in an overstuffed chair and puts his head into his hands. He rubs his face, smooths his mustache and says I understand your concerns. I will tell you what I can. And while I do want you to resolve the problems in Thistle - I do - it is just that this issue hangs over me like a noose.
When I was a young man and very full of myself, I fell in with a group of people I knew very little about. They were not bandits, they were not disreputable at all, they were more like ... scholars. They called themselves the House of the Circlet.
They paid well for my services. I was strong, brave, ambitious and good with my sword. For years I worked for them and they paid well, not only in gold, but in other ways. More than that though, it seemed that chance always seemed to favor me whenever I completed a mission for them. My rivals befell misfortune and obstacles cleared from my path. So long as I served the House of the Circlet, my fortunes continued to rise.
The Lord's face grows long as he pauses to reflect on his past. Now though, times have changed; things have changed. I am no longer young. My brother, the real Lord Wildhurst, was killed in an accident. An accident, so everyone said, yet now I have my doubts. I found myself named Lord Wildhurst. I cannot help but think another obstacle had been cleared to my rise. My dealings with the House of the Circlet have become less frequent and now I begin to fear them. They will not be seen in my court, they want no public recognition.
They came to me last month and said it was time I joined them in full. But I have begun to wonder. Who are these people that they can grant me these things? Why does my advancement come at another's suffering? This is why I want you to go to the depot after you deal with these goblins. Learn what you can and tell no one of this other mission. And if there is a link between my past and these goblin raids, tell me of it so I can do what I can to set things aright. There may yet still be time.
Lord Wildhurst is clearly emotional. You sense he is overcome with regret and concern.
Irra winces slightly and turns away, not wanting to look at Wilderhurst as he is right now.
Like this, to strangers? Just met or not... what can this order have done to destroy his pride?
"M'lord... I'll do this for you. Seems good work, and safe enough. But, Wildhurst, can I suggest you talk with someone else? A majordomo, a drinking buddy, your wife even; you just met us, after all."
Darnak looks to Wildhurst, feeling sorry for the man, before turning to Irra. "Sometimes it's just easier to talk to strangers, lass. They're no strings attached, ya see." Turning back to Wildhurst, "We'll find your depot and learn all we can, sir. This I promise ya." He nods.
Longfeather cocks his to the side at the talk of the House of the Circlet. He is quiet for the moment.
"It is good you are trying to free yourself from their influence. Now that the cost seems too high. . . Something must be done, and we will endeavor to do it."
Thim also thinks back to his studies of the region to see if the name 'House of the Circlet' means anything to him.
This whole "House of the Circlet" thing isn't something I would now about, or care to, for that matter. All I know is that if they have anything to do with what is going on in Thistle, I will be glad to investigate this depot to find out more. Consider it done
Lord Wildhurst seems encouraged by your enthusiasm and brightens when you agree to this second task. Thank you for all you have done and will do. I am indeed in your debt. I will send Johna to you with the advance on your payment and any other information you need. If you will excuse me, I am exhausted and will retire. Lord Wildhurst rises unsteadily to his feet, gives you a short bow and leaves for the private areas of the house.
A short while after the Lord departs, Johna indicates that your payment is available in your rooms and that Borden will await you at the northern gate at mid-morning tomorrow. When you decide to turn in, you find that in each room there is a small leather bag. Within is 150gp and a letter bearing the Lord's seal indicating that the bearer is to be shown courtesy within the city of Gulduria and given a discount of 25% on any goods purchased at any place of business within the city walls.
Thim takes an early night and rises even earlier to pick up supplies for scroll scribing, then spends much of the rest of the morning finding what he needs at various armorers in the marketplace.
Darnak turns in and gets a good night's rest. In the morn, he gathers his things and heads to the north gate, awaiting the others.
Turad takes his leave, and retires to his quarters. He pockets the pouch of gold in his room, but has no immediate need for it.
Longfeather heads to the market in the morning, picking up some great and a better bag to carry it.
Irra stocks up on coffee and pitons, and makes ready to head out.
Sarenith 22 4710 (Toilday)
North gate of Gulduria
Mid-morning
You gather your gear and head out northward toward Thistle. The day is as fine and bright as one could want and the miles pass by quickly. Borden proves to be a knowledgeable traveling companion and he tells you many interesting stories and legends surrounding this area of Varisia as you travel northward toward the village.
As the sun sinks westward, you enter the outskirts of the village. It is a wide-flung farming community dotted with well-built wooden houses. You can see several families working in the fields or tending animals; occasionally a nearer resident will remove a wide-brimmed hat and raise it over his head in greeting, shouting a hearty "Helloa" as your group passes.
In the village center is a mill, a well, a market square (currently deserted) and an official-looking building that turns out to be part storehouse, part courthouse and part Borden's residence. Parked outside is a sturdy wagon; a bushel of rather underdeveloped-looking carrots rests within. They look like they were just recently and prematurely pulled from the ground. Borden nods at the meek harvest as you pass by the wagon and grumbles something inaudible.
Borden welcomes you inside his home, where his wife, Riona, and his three children are prepping for the evening meal. Borden introduces his family and each of you, explaining that you are here to deal with the goblins tomorrow on behalf of Lord Wildhurst. His wife is plump with a homely but goodnatured face and his two older children seem the picture of health, but his youngest and only daughter still looks pale. She looks up at you through wide, dark eyes limned with dark circles and clutches onto her mother's skirt as your strange (at least to her) group is introduced.
She still hasn't fully recovered from the sickness Riona says as she pries her daughter from her leg and hoists her onto an ample hip. This Belig now, demons take him, he needs to be put down. From the looks of ye, I would say you are just the kind of folk to do it. She turns her attention to her daughter. You hear that Carabel? These fine folk are gonna punish that mean goblin. Yes they will. Punish him hard. Carabel gives a thin smile and nods solemnly at you.
You get him she says to you with some defiance. You get him for making me sick.
Bending so as to be eye level with the child, "Don'tcha be for worryin', lass. We'll take care o' the mean goblin that's been hurtin' you and this town. He'll not take another morsel from this town, I swear it." Rising back up, "You've got a fiery spirit, ya do. There's no sickness that's gonna keep ya down." He grins, nodding confidently at her. Turning his attention back to Borden, "Now, we're gonna need to know which direction Belig is coming from, and places where we can set up for the ambush. Also, does Belig come alone?"
V'Thamuus walks the perimeter of the village, Moninga at his side, paying especial attention to the site of the planned ambush. He looks for a sniper's spot above and overlooking the site. After choosing his spot, he looks over the well in detail
Thim looks down the well, casting dancing lights to illuminate the interior.
Turod? Would you lower me to the water line so I can get a better look, see if anything has been thrown in the water?
V'Thamuus walks the perimeter of the village, Moninga at his side, paying especial attention to the site of the planned ambush. He looks for a sniper's spot above and overlooking the site...
"I'd like to talk to some of the townsfolk, anyone mind coming with me? We've seen how some react to me. "
"I'd like to talk to some of the townsfolk, anyone mind coming with me? We've seen how some react to me. "
"I'll go with ya, lad."
"Darnak, when you and Irra are finished questioning the villagers, care to help me with the well? I need someone strong to lower me down."
Longfeather walks over to a home near the well and knocks on the door.
Irra walks up to the first hatted townsperson and smiles a greeting. "Hullo; Irra Shattertongue. Is there any place or time in this good village where a bard might earn a few coins and a night's rest?"
Arriving at the house, she attempts to get friendly with the children; something rather easy in her experience due to her similar size, and her skills with illusions. She throws her voice, she shows interest in their struggles and successes, and turns her own hair green briefly, all the while listening and questioning.
I I'm willing to help with the well. Ill meet you there, I don't know what you hope to find, but I will help how I can.
"The most likely source of a village wide contagion is the water supply. I'd like to get a close look at it and see if anything has been dumped or the water connects with anything below the surface. It shouldn't take long. Just lower me down, I'll create a little light and have a look at the water level."
Just as Darnak is about to accept V'Thamuus's offer of assistance, the barbarian intercedes. "Aye, well that'll do then. I'll be seein' what Longfeather learns from the townsfolk."
Longfeather speaks with a few locals about what they've seen, specifically about things near the well.
As word spreads that Lord Wildhurst has sent adventurers to deal with Belig, the market area slowly fills with residents that have come to voice their concerns, tell their versions of events and speculate on the cause of the sickness. Most of them are also carrying baskets of food or farm animals which they deposit in Borden's wagon before joining the impromptu meeting in the village square.
Irra
You meet a family as they move to the village square. The couple is young with one young child, a boy of about 8, who defiantly carries a small, wooden sword as if he is setting off to deal with Belig all on his own. When you approach and introduce yourself, they seem flattered that one of Lord Wildhurtst's heroes would take the time to speak with them. Their name is Cutter, and you are soon deep in discussion with them concerning the going's on in the town. You learn the following information:
- Belig is a tough goblin. He wears metal armor and carries a flail.
- Belig threatened the young boy's life if the parents didn't contribute enough goods during his last visit
- They have no idea what made the town sick but they suspect Belig may be working with an goblin cleric that cursed their well water.
You demeanor is so friendly and the boy seems so taken with you that the family offers you a warm meal and a place to stay for the night.
Turad and V'Thamuus
Turad lowers V'Thamuus into the well. As he does so, many of the villagers crowd around the well to see what the pair is doing. They mutter in surprise as V'Thamuus create some magical light to get a better look at the water.
The water is approximately 20 feet from the top of the well and there is no obvious signs of debris or other things floating on the surface. The well smells musty but not unpleasant.
Longfeather and Darnak
Many of the locals seem hesitant to speak with you. Their answers are curt and reveal no new information. It is clear their mistrust stems from Longfeather's appearance and the reputation of his kin.
All
Borden explains to the townsfolk that your group will set out with him tomorrow to meet Belig at the designated spot and 'resolve the problem once and for all time'. Should no one from your group return, he asks that the villagers send word to Lord Wildhurst informing him of the mission's failure. This bit of news sobers the crowd and they look at your with a mixture of hope and concern. You are all coming back![b] shouts an anonymous farmer from somewhere toward the back of the crowd. [b]Just make sure when you do come back, ye bring that goblin's head back with ye! The words seem to break the tension in the crowd and everyone laughs and cheers. You soon find yourself surrounded by well wishers giving you words of encouragement as the crowd begins to break up and head back to their homes.
Borden indicates that you are all welcome to pass the night at his house, if desired. You will set out tomorrow morning so you can be at the designated spot on time.
As the crowd disperses, Darnak leans in toward the barbarian, "Take note of that, lad. I think your blade will do the job just fine." He nods. "Alright, lads and lass, take care of whatever you need ta take care of and let's get us some rest. We've got a busy mornin' ahead o' us." Darnak will take Borden up on his offer and take up lodging at his home.
Thim scrambles out from the well. "Nothing. But thank you."
Hmm . .. something has made them sick, I suppose the well was too obvious. The answers will have to come from the mouth of the devil himself.
Thim prepares his spells in preparation for the next morning's conflict.
Turad turns to his dwarven friend Aye, either I'll lob the heads off o' those goblins, or you will punch their teeth out before I have the chance, what do you say to a little wager? 5 gold says that when push comes to shove, I can kill more of them than you, Deal?
Turad has nothing left to do until the morning, so he humbly accepts Borden's hospitality.