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Aerodus nodded softly and smiled before closing the stable door on Valours stall and collecting his lance from where it lay against the wall. "Sounds like a lovely idea. Shall we?" He gestured for the others to lead the way.
'Hopefully someone has a truly solid lea, if not, hopefully I can convince the rest to come visit this Mage!'
"You don't ogle?" laughs Gregary, following Aerodus into the tavern. "But Aerodus, you're missing out on some very beautiful vistas by abstaining."
As they moved inside Aliesah asked Aerodus, you said something about a mage. Do you have a name for him? And why do you wish to see him?
"Aye, lunch!" Raggo pats his armored stomach and heads inside. Plopping down at a big table in the middle of the room he waits for the others to arrive.
As Wulfrun returns to Griffondale from the Baron's keep, she sets to the task of finding Aerodus, and finding him pretty much where she left him but this time joined by others.
"Lord Gregary?! Wulf blushes from a sudden nervousness, "This is too weird! What brings you to Griffondale?"
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"Nellus Alakart is his name, I believe, according to Eric anyway. And it has been my experience that practitioners of Magic tend to be more knowledgeable about strange goings on around them, they pay attention more. It would make sense that he may know something about the "Blue Devils" then, this being his local area!" He paused looking at Aliesah with a frown, trying to remember somethin. "There was also something about the Dukes Cousin but that is vague. Still... It is all I have to go on so far!"
Don't trust mages that much. I think we should examine where the creatures have been seen, and back track them to their lair. We just have to locate where they have been.
"The Baron is keeping to his reputation of being a recluse; refusing audience to anyone. The guards assured me that there are no threats in the immediate area, and the sightings of devils are beyond the Baron's borders some 50 miles North. They are most assuredly worried about the disappearances but were at no liberty or actual caring to discuss the matter. At least I learned the names of the missing." Wulfrun adds.
North? In the Verduran Forest? Aliesah gives a delighted laugh.
That's my home. Well not all of it, but I grew up in it. It would be good to see it again.
As they find a table and sit she says I have a few contacts there, they may be able to help. And I'll try not to let you sleep on any ant nests this time Aerodus.
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"Aye that was my intention, to seek their trail, after I had gotten any information I could from the Mage!" He shrugged. "I will follow what the group decides however. And Wulfrun, perhaps if we bring back the bodies of these Devils we may get an audience!" He laughed softly as he stepped in to the Tavern.
"I would appreciate that muchly. Ants leave a terrible bite!" He grimaced as they sat at their table.
Well, fire ants are painful. Some have even died from their bite. Of course, you have never seen the giant version ants have you? They can be very dangerous. Also Owlbears,, giant sloths, forest drakes, the occasional green dragon, forest golblins...but I have never heard of blue devils there.
She signals the barmaid for service.
The Verduran is not safe. But it is also a beautiful place. And most dangers are avoidable. I advise before going there you make sure you have the gear to help you. Oh and avoid things that cause fire on a big scale. You don't want to upset the druids. Really.
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To put it all in one place as a recap:
The villagefolk are concerned about the rumor of "little blue devils probably from Cheliax" and the two missing persons. They are pacifistic by nature and trust the Scarlet Knight, their Baron, to handle such things personally as he always has -- despite his reclusive, even mysterious nature (No one even knows his name.). The younger ones are fascinated by these new "angels and such" new to Griffondale; others have noticed you as well.
(a vintner of a strong, very dry red) manages some vines owned by the Crowley family and has reported to Lord Gregary that , a young arborist and pruner, has gone missing from the vines and that many suspect foul play.
, arbalist and crossbow maker, believes that , a solitary ogre who lairs north of Griffondale (near the Verduran) is involved in both the disappearances and the "little blue devils"; he is obviously racist and arrogant.
However, the Silversmith maintains that Jojo is merely simpleminded and a bit of a thief (pies, barrels of wine, garbage) and that he is not violent.
, fromager of a Saint-Nectaire cheese, has described them as "little creatures... the size of goblins, but with bright blue skin. They even have the same over-sized heads as goblins -- but their faces are much more Human- or Fey-like.
NOT goblins, NOT Fey, NOT orcs or gnolls or gremlins. What remains, I ask you,... DEVILS!
And from where do devils come?--"
But when pressed for details and questioned further it is obvious he has no idea what he's talking about.
is the only eye witness still available. The master truffle hunter was hunting for truffles north near the Verduran when he at first saw one, then a total of four of them. He immediately fled back south to Griffondale.
The other witness was a fur trapper named who was leaving the Verduran for Cassomir (to sell his fur) and stopped in Griffondale on the way. He is no longer in Griffondale but you can likely find him in Cassomir or Hope's Hollow.
Young , son of the stabler, says that the mage would know what they are because he's a mage. Alakart lives in a small Keep halfway between Castle Grenwald and Griffondale.
The other missing person is a teen boy named , a baker's apprentice. (The baker is .)
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According to the young teen, , there is a famous sellsword hero named .
, a fromager of camembert cheese, and his wife love gossip about Ducal lords and all the latest trends. He pretends not to be interested and scorns his wife... According to him " is a viper disguised as a Lady"; has usurped her father's Barony -- which is adjacent to from where Cayosin hails ().
lives in a Keep that was constructed by Duke Grenwald's cousin, , who is now estranged with the Duke.
A Griffondale gendarme, says that there use to be a Bugbear King who raided throughout this part of the Duchy but Duke Grenwald took an army (including The Scarlet Knight) and fought the Goblinoids.
Apparently, however, the who led the Goblinoids was never killed but that the Duke "negotiated a lasting peace."
A lot of information, but nothing linking the devils to having actually done anything. Actually, the fact that the closest these devils have been seen is 1 to 2 days away from here on horseback makes it less likely they have anything to do with this other than scapegoating.
The wizard and the ogre are more culpable leads than anything so far
As Wulfrun returns to Griffondale from the Baron's keep, she sets to the task of finding Aerodus, and finding him pretty much where she left him but this time joined by others.
"Lord Gregary?! Wulf blushes from a sudden nervousness, "This is too weird! What brings you to Griffondale?"
Gregary is met by Wulfrun's chestpiece, and so he looks up to see her face - now a grown woman, and armed and armored with the best of them. "Oh, Little Miss Taverner. It's good to see you again." Gregary places a hand on the hilt of his sword. "I'm here, likely, for the same reason that you are - there's been trouble in the area of late, and I'm duty-bound to find the source. I assume you're one of the beautiful women Aerodus has been telling me of?"
When he sees Terra enter moments later, a small exasperated sigh escapes his lips. "How am I to refer to each of you? Lovely young lady is too apt for too many of you."
Getting into the conversation about tactics, Gregary sits down and leans forward onto his elbows. "I don't believe that mage will have any more answers for us than anybody here in town. He'll just have a name that's wrong. The villagers will tell us "little blue devils" and we know that they're small, and blue. The mage will tell us "imps or quasits" and we'll know a name, but he won't know anything about them. Maybe if we thought he was a witness." Gregary scratches his chin. "No, if we were going to talk to anybody, I'd want to talk to the ogre. And if we weren't, I'd want to start looking for the devils immediately, starting with wherever each of the missing was seen."
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Aerodus shook his head softly and frowned. "Usually I would agree with you Crowley, if it was not for the possibility that this Mage could have some form of location magic, some way to track the creatures or pinpoint those they took!" He frowned aagain, deep in thought.
"If we took something of those who were taken, clothes or a possession, to the Mage, maybe he would have some form of bloodhound spell, something that could track them!"
"I doubt it, m'lord." Wulf cheeks flush with warmth at Gregary's compliment, "Aerodus surely refers to his other acquaintances Aliesah and Terra."
"For what my thoughts are worth, I too think the mage our best start. If not for any diviniation spells he may have, but also because mage's often dabble in demon summoning."
Mages summon demons. And that's a reason to see one? Still, if the rest of think there is value in it, so be it. If we visit the ogre, we should be careful. I have fought them in the past. They are strong and stupid, and sometimes cannibalistic. Not a good combination.
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"Well... If he does summon Demons then he should be stopped. And he does live in a Keep, probably with a dungeon, a dungeon that could house two young kidnapped men! I've fought demons before and if he can summon them... We need to stop him first. But regardless, asking him for help, is not a bad idea!"
Cayosin begins tapping his quarterstaff anxiously waiting for the constable to respond to Cayosin's question.
Reluctantly, aliesah says I have a contact who can tell us about the mage, and also may have some answers for us on other matters. She lives north of here, on the way as it happens. sipping her wine, she looks around.
She is an arcane caster herself. Her name is Rudwilla. She knows much about the area and knows many of the nobles here, including this mage, Baron Alarius of prism keep. She might give us an introduction.
Gregary gives Wulfrun a quick final look before responding and moving into the rest of the group's conversation - "I wouldn't be so sure, Miss Taverner."
He turns to Aerodus and is surprised by Wulfrun's implication, and he responds. "Don't be suspicious of a man just because of his magic. Magic is all in the application. And remember that the locals have insisted that there are no threats nearby. I'm sure a local mage that young boys speak well of is no diabolist."
He thinks for another moment. "Although there might be some merit in visiting him to ask him for any spellcasting services he might provide."
it's not the magic per say. After all, I cast spells myself. It's the attitude of wizards. I have met magi, witches and sorcerers. Good people. wizards are...arrogant. Maybe I have only met the nasty ones.
Terra laughs at the young man's enthusiasm, "Well now aren't you the enthusiastic one." She seems to consider him for a moment, "Well, I have a room at the inn, but that might be a bit obvious, and I wouldn't want to get you in trouble. Let's see, maybe your father's place is better." She taps her foot and eyes him, the fingers of her right hand fondling the hilt of her whip while the fingers of her other hand drum against her cocked hip. She continues to look him over hungrily, He is rather handsome, and I bet he does have some stamina. He's also young though, maybe too young, and I'll be here awhile. I know, "I'm afraid I don't have time now, we have a job to do ridding you of the blue skinned devils. If you can prove to me you deserve a woman like me, then before we leave I may just give you a reward."
Cayosin thanks the constable, waves, and moves in his long gait out the door without waiting for any response that may have followed. He closes the door behind him and walks normally fast to Laurent Bellaiche's cottage. He arrives at the cottage door and knocks on the door with the force a neighbor would knock on the door. He switches his quarterstaff to the offhand to make it look more like a walking stick than his preferred aggressive diplomacy aide.
Cayosin smiles, "Thank you for your time Mr Bellaiche, where may I find these bald headed blue devils?"
During Cayosin's question to Mr Bellaiche, his fork tongue accidentally causes Cayson to sputter a little saliva at the Master Truffler. Cayosin stops talking to regain control over his tongue, "Sorry Mr. Bellaiche, I didn't mean to spittle on you."
The door slams on Cayosin's face at which time he hears, "Go Away you sick stranger or I'll sick my dogs on ya!" Angry with himself and at Laurent Bellaiche, he proceeds back to the tavern to look for work again since his lead just dried up (more like just took a shower in Cayosin's spittle). Unfortunately for Cayosin, he will not be able to purchase an ale while in the tavern and he so desperately needs one at this time. In no time, he arrives at the tavern.
Cayosin enters the tavern, checks out the tavern, and listens for any possible leads or work.
Wulfrun looks to everyone, but goes to some measure to avoid looking at Gregary, its obvious he has her flustered, "I'm going to stop at Luc's home and the baker's business before heading to see the mage. I'm really hopeful we'll find more than rumor and hearsay linking something to the disappearance of Sydney and Luc." She turns to leave hurriedly, but stops and turns to face the group again to excuse herself with a bow, and then hurriedly turns to leave again, almost running into Cayosin as he is walking in. "Excuse me!" she begs as she almost runs out.
Wulfrun pulls at the collar of her armor adjusting its fit before she gives her stallion and bull mastiff the signal to follow her to the Baker's to discuss Luc if nothing else. When the adrenaline declines, Wulf finds herself smiling unstintingly.
Diplomacy or Intimidate / Bluff or Sense Motive as necessary, for Cosette, the baker.
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Aerodus took a sip of water and stared at the tabletop for a moment, frowning. He looked up, about to speak, as Wulfrun jumped to her feet. He raised his hand, about to cut in, apart from the fact that she was running out the door and straight in to...
"Cayosin?" He stood up slowly, frowning, before laughing. "Oh aye it is you! Come, come join us. Eat, drink. How have you been?" He laughed softly, striding over to the man and patting him on the back.
"I should have known you would be here, looking for work right? Leads on this mysterious kidnapping? Aye that is what we are all about here today!" He sighedsighed, gesturing after Wulfrun.
"That young Knight too, though she is loathe to sit still it seems. Someone really should go after her!" He said the last in a raised voice, looking at Gregary. "If only to keep her from rushing off without us."
Cayosin takes a double look, "Ah Aerodus, my brother at arms! I should have known you were lurking in this town as well." In less strides than normal, Cayosin is already at their table and in the process of sitting down placing his staff under the table were no one will trip on it and he can retrieve in a reasonable time. "Yes, I am looking for work. Currently, I am out of coin after my last armed escort and restocking. And I didn't hear about a kidnapping, only bewares about certain royalty and there is a massing of blue bald headed devils at the Verduran border. What did you hear about the kidnapping?"
"We're all friends here, it seems." says Gregary as he stands up to follow Wulfrun. "I'll have to properly make your acquaintance, young sir, when I come back. My name is Gregary Crowley." he shakes Cayosin's hand and receives the man's name before heading out the door after Wulfrun.
A knight in full-plate with a warhorse is easy to spot, and she hadn't got far, so Gregary catches up pretty easily, jogging up beside her. "Wandering off alone?" he says, playfully. "You know there's been kidnappings going on, that could be dangerous."
"Pleasure to meet ya' Cayosin, any friend of Aerodus's is worth having around far as I can tell."
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Aerodus took a seat, leaning back in his chair, gesturing at Cayosin with one hand, the other arm resting on the back of his chair. "Of course, the blue devils, a worthy cause. I was postulating that the disapperances of the Baker boy, and the boy who works the vines, are somehow linked to the Blue Devils. Maybe, maybe not. But it helps to lump them together, to deal with both of them!"
Cayosin shakes Gregary's hand and then gives Raggo the warrior hand shake by grabbing his inner arm then shaking, "Well met Gregary and Raggo. Yes, it seems we are all friends here at this table and by the sounds of it, planning something enjoyable and profitable?" Cayosin looks at Aerodus, "Let's pick the most profitable one and go from there? This vine boy? Does he belong to a wealthy vineyard family? Usually bakers are not as wealthy as wine because everyone needs their free flowing wine before their pastries. Next profitable is probably the Blue Devil scouting and more? Perhaps, we can do all (3) at once? I am not sure but it appears that Mr Laurent Bellaiche had more information for me about the blue devils until my tongue got in the way and I spittled on him. He was not too please with me after that!" Cayosin laughs.
well met Cayosin, I am Aliesah leafborn. she says with a sunny smile.
Indeed, we are interested in the blue devils, and who or what they are, but it is not certain they are behind the kidnappings. Sightings of them have been fifty miles north of here, in the forest, while the kidnappings are much closer.
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Aerodus shook his head and laughed. "Likely the families will not make reparations to us, for returning the boys, but if we do it, maybe the Baron will, or the Mayor or something!" He nodded softly, leaning forward. "As for the Blue Devils, maybe no monetary gain from the village, again, but the chance for adventure and maybe treasure?"
After Aliesah had spoken, Aerodus laughed and nodded. "Aye they more than likely are not linked, but still... We can look in to both, we seem to be the only people who are!"
Cayosin looks at Aliesah and returns her sunny smile, "Well met Aliesah! Thank you for your warm welcome! Did Aerodus suck you into his group of friends too? While waiting for a response from Aliesah, he looks towards Aerodus, "Ney, Gendarme Mr. Rene stated he would pay me and most likely us for any information regarding the Blue Devils. And now I remember, he did talk about the two boys that went missing. Luc and Sydney I believe their names were?"
Having given the young man her challenge to earn her affections, Terra makes her way to the meeting place and finds the new arrival. "Sorry for the delay, I had to instruct someonebin propper manners." She looks at the latest addition to their group and says, "Terra, and you are?" As she finishes she clocks one eyebrow at him as she waits for his answer.
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Aerodus arched an eyebrow at Terra before smiling. "You are just in time, no need to fret." He smiles, raising a hand to call over his friend, the Waitress.
When she eventually arrived, Areodus asked politely for some food he could bring on a trip, and his gear back.
'Hopefully we won't be gone too long. I did only just arrive!'
to Cayosin@ Aerodus does have that effect on people. I always thought he should have been a bard, until I heard him sing. It's the way he searches for the right note, and misses it completely She laughs.
Cayosin nods and waves to Terra, and after Aerodus, "Well met Terra, my name is Cayosin. We are all friends of Aerodus and welcome to our table." Cayosin gets up to shake her hand and afterwards sits back down.
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Cayosin laughs while smiling at Aliesah, then to Aerodus, and back to Aliesah, "Well met indeed Aliesah! If you can call it singing, I thought he was always snoring?!" ... Cayosin laughs again.