Talia was momentarily surprised when Connor offered his short sword to her, but she quickly collected herself and shook her head. "Nay, Master Connor, for you are better equipped in its use. Jax and Jorje are handier with weapons than I or Delfi." It is then you note that both men have weapons with them: Jax with what seems to be an ornately crafted masterwork heavy crossbow and quiver of bolts, and, Jorje with his daggers. Out of the corner of your eye, your notice Delfi trying to catch your attention to show you she has a small dagger hidden inside her boot. She drops her skirt quickly to hide the fact.
Felix yells back inside the inn from the doorway and says to the group You all might want to get out here, there looks to be an enormous dust plume rising in the distance. Something's happened and it's probably not good.
Just as Felix gave his warning to the others through the door, then a local young man, possibly nineteen winters old, ran past the inn, waving his arm and quite out of breath, "The Witch Tower has fallen! They're sayin' a dozen kobolds have been found dead in the ruins!" before running off, torch in hand, toward the huge plume of dust where once the supposed tower stood.
Riley watches as Felix runs past. "Jumpy feline that one."
"What needs to be done to help your House Talia Orem?” he asks her as he loosens his blade in his sheathe and pulls his axe from his belt.
Easy big fella. No need to run out brandishing blades."
"My House is not under siege, Master Connor. It seems something else has gone wrong this night. The Sheriff and his people are the town watch, but with him and most of his deputies gone to return Gribb to Cassomir - I believe there are only two deputies left in town. Let us see to it!"
"Lead the way love." Riley casually follows the others out and sees the plume of dust.
"Nay, Master Connor, for you are better equipped in its use. Jax and Jorje are handier with weapons than I or Delfi."
Connor's eyes go flat at that response. However, when he sees Delfi's gesture he instantly turns the haft to her.
Easy big fella. No need to run out brandishing blades."
He turns a cold gaze at Riley's suggestion to go into possible danger without weapons, but he says nothing about his opinions on it to the man.
If Delfi also refuses the blade he will re-sheathe it.
In either case, he moves outside and examines the situation.
Felix yells back inside the inn from the doorway and says to the group You all might want to get out here, there looks to be an enormous dust plume rising in the distance. Something's happened and it's probably not good.
Connor turns and peers into the distance and sees the dust plume lingering over the thick forest.
Given the relative distance of the dust he seems to relax somewhat, yet is still suspicious.
A local young man, possibly nineteen winters old, ran past the inn, waving his arm and quite out of breath, "The Witch Tower has fallen! They're sayin' a dozen kobolds have been found dead in the ruins!" before running off, torch in hand, toward the huge plume of dust where once the supposed tower stood.
He turns and moves toward it, then pauses and glances back at Felix.
"What are you waiting for my friend? Do you want to live forever?" he says with a sudden grin, then turns and rushes forward toward the threat.
"Lead the way love." Riley casually follows the others out and sees the plume of dust.
Looking to the plume and its location due north east, Talia replied to Riley, 'The local boy, Locke, is right. It can only be the old Witch Tower. Let us proceed for we have a distance to cover by foot." Kobolds?! Where did they come from?
And with that, Talia leads the way toward the plume, her torch in one hand, Delfi's hand firmly in her other.
Connor's eyes go flat at that response. However, when he sees Delfi's gesture he instantly turns the haft to her. If Delfi also refuses the blade he will re-sheathe it.
Delfi's eyes widen as she sees the warrior signalling for her to take his weapon. She shook her wavy, shoulder length hair, and mouthed "No, thank you."
Felix smiles when Connor asks what he's waiting for before turning and loping right beside him, having no trouble keeping up with the man's speed.
Riley watches the two men run off. He finally pulls his sword, but stays alongside Talia and Delfi.
Felix smiles when Connor asks what he's waiting for before turning and loping right beside him, having no trouble keeping up with the man's speed.
As Connor runs he attempts to see what's before them -
As you run ahead of the others (except for Felix who keeps up with you readily), you see what seems to be the entire town come out of their homes and businesses to see what the trouble is as there are torch lights littered along the landscape - all moving toward the plume. You can hear the river and then creek to your right. At present you cannot make out any dangers/threats. You can catch snippets of the conversation of the concerned townsfolk you pass, however.
** spoiler omitted **
She smiled easily at Delfi when the girl promised her services in the morning. The young were easier for Rhialtyra to feel comfortable with. Adults, no matter what their occupation or race, tended to have their own agendas. While many were kind and forthcoming, as Mistress Talia seemed to be, she'd also seen many angle themselves to take advantage of another's folly. People were the most carnivorous of creatures.
Rhialtyra clapped appreciatively when the duet finished, impressed. Delfi had enjoyed herself, dancing to the merry song and such behavior was a great indicator of the combined skill of the two.
She observed the others as the evening progressed. She couldn't help but wonder if they were a bit daft. Mistress Talia's bread was good, but it was not so great that it was the only thing they could flatter her about if that's what they were seeking to do. Her beautiful paintings decorated the room and the atmosphere was one clearly created by someone who had taken care to ensure it was comfortable.
Connor had stepped out to bathe in the river, prompting Talia to inform them of the baths she could prepare for them. Anila eagerly took up the offer, but Rhialtyra thought it was getting a bit too late for a bath of her own. Perhaps tomorrow? "Might I hope for a bath in the early hours of the morning?" she asked Talia, not wanting to create too much extra work for the woman and her staff. Mornings, she was aware, were the busiest for those who provided their own food.
The evening continued on and the hour grew later. At nine, the clock began to ring out the hour. Though she enjoyed the mood, Rhialtyra was startled by the sudden rattle and sound. There hadn't been a single cloud in the sky - what on earth was that?
"What the hell was that? It sounds as if there has been a landslide of some type! That was too loud for thunder and there hasn't been a cloud in the sky all day!"
”Is there a town watch? There could be danger more than a simple accident,” he says with a loud yet firm voice to the group as he picks up his shield from the pile on the floor and slides his arm into the straps.
My House is not under siege, Master Connor. It seems something else has gone wrong this night. The Sheriff and his people are the town watch, but with him and most of his deputies gone to return Gribb to Cassomir - I believe there are only two deputies left in town. Let us see to it!"
Riley cursed in surprise, startled, and Felix ran for the door. Connor offered Talia his services in defense of the Inn, and though Delfi piped up that it was but thunder, her sister's expression quieted her. These were all reactions that Rhialtyra filed away in her head. Riley was communicative, Felix a creature of action, and Connor deferred to one who might be more knowledgeable about the situation. Each was good to know and these traits may well help come in handy depending on how things progressed.
She couldn't help but wonder what might be happening that night. She accepted one of Mistress Talia's torches with a nod of thanks. She didn't foresee any difficulty seeing for herself, but the others might be able to use its light.
You all might want to get out here, there looks to be an enormous dust plume rising in the distance. Something's happened and it's probably not good.
"The Witch Tower has fallen! They're sayin' a dozen kobolds have been found dead in the ruins!"
She wasn't particularly comfortable with the way Connor offered a weapon to Delfi, but was pleased to see the girl politely turn it down. She assumed it was a matter of cultural differences given the man's dress and put it out of her mind.
Rhialtyra stood and moved with the others to step outside. Just as he had described, there were great clouds of dust just under a mile away, something they could easily get to with no trouble.
"The Witch Tower?" Rhialtyra asked, watching as the young man continued on his way. She turned curious eyes to Talia, hoping for more information. Although she could guess at what it might be, the aasimar wanted to be sure before running off half-cocked.
Anila heads out the door with the rest of the group to see what the commotion is about. Seeing the rest of the group heading towards the plume, she follows along looking to help in any way she can.
As Connor pushes on he glances back to see that Felix has managed to keep up and he nods to himself.
Having reached a place roughly sixty feet from the tower he studies the terrain near the damaged tower...
"The Witch Tower?" Rhialtyra asked, watching as the young man continued on his way. She turned curious eyes to Talia, hoping for more information. Although she could guess at what it might be, the aasimar wanted to be sure before running off half-cocked.
As they walked swiftly toward the dust plume, Talia answered Rhialtyra's question.
"That is what we locals call it. It is an ancient and abandoned structure, made of black stone and wood, situated on the hilltop just outside of town. Belhaim's last Baron perished in the tower nine years ago after an ill-considered attempt to explore it." The last part she spoke in a more quiet/discreet voice.
Rhialtyra hummed thoughtfully, before next asking: "Why did he perish? Was it an accident? Do you know? And what of the kobolds? I must confess I do not much keep abreast of their movements. Are they common here? Are they inhabitants of the tower?"
Two of the men had gone ahead in a run. At least they had one of the torches, she supposed.
"I'm sorry to ask so many questions, but I'd rather we outsiders not be taken by surprise." Rhialtyra smiled to blunt any implied rudeness for she had no ill intent. The walk was one that would take some time, so she supposed they'd at least be able to get the basic history and details regarding the Witch Tower.
The sapphire-eyed woman had a fierce curiosity. It may get her in trouble some day. A sombreness fell over the Taldan woman at the thought. Not all the townsfolk were as amiable as she and her people.
Talia did not let go of Delfi's hand, especially with so many people on the streets after dark, all anxious and curious to see what had happened.
She endeavoured to answer the questions posed by Rhialtyra, but her knowledge surrounding the death of the Baron was limited at best. She had been a girl of thirteen at the time of his death and rumours had abound. But rumours were not fact and the adults would not speak of it before the children.
"The exploration went awry. As to the exact details, I could not tell you. And Kobold sightings have been quite rare in and around Belhaim - it has been a very long time since they ventured into this area. And as far as I know, they do not live in the tower, but then again, we were taught from young not to go into the Witch Tower. Now, let us proceed more quickly, for I would see what has happened to the tower and learn the reason why."
As Connor peers through the trees he sees the long, dark finger of dust stabbing into the sky like a twisted claw.
His eyes narrow.
Surely this tower fell for either natural reasons, or unnatural.
If it fell for natural reasons than we have nothing to fear, though it may be that folk might be in or near the ruins and wounded; if that is correct and innocents are wounded then it would be best not to linger if they are to be healed.
Yet if fell for unnatural reasons – if dark creatures caused its foundations to fall – it is possible they may have further mischief planned for the town. Better then to meet them quickly before they can regroup and formulate some new trouble.
He shakes his head and continues to search the area around the tower for any signs of movement or danger…
Riley listens in to Rhia and Talia's conversation as the procession moves along.
Anila walked with the others that had not run ahead pondering on the what they would find when they finally did reach the tower.
The exploration went awry... She wondered what manner of Baron had thought to explore a supposedly dangerous place himself.
The scarcity of the kobolds made the evident appearance of their bodies far more interesting, however, especially given that there were possibly a dozen of them. What were they doing at the tower? She wondered if there were clues or if they'd been damaged by either the apparent cause of the dust or the townspeople who had first reached the scene.
Connor and Felix had undoubtedly already reached the tower themselves. With that in mind, she quickened her pace. "Let's not keep them waiting for too long," she said, trying for a decidedly less solemn note in a bid to help lessen the tension she could see in Talia's shoulders.
Connor and Felix reach the hilltop first. There is black stone and wooden debris scattered down the hill's south-eastern slope. A small crowd has already gathered around the rubble of the collapsed tower - some gawking at the dust plume and others at the remains of the long-standing Witch Tower.
The rest of the party arrive at the tower ruins to see the same sight - the tower collapsed and the remains of the structure littering the hill side.
More people gather around the site. You particularly note two locals puttering about aimlessly. The female is wandering about, scratching her head. Her male companion stands at the rubble, hands on hips, chewing a stalk of grass. From the light of the many torches, you can make out shiny badges on each of their coats.
Talia, with Delfi still firmly in hand, cast her eyes at the two and shook her head. Discreetly to the group, she announced their identity, "The two remaining deputies I spoke of earlier. The female is Deputy Letha Mulle and the male, Deputy Varyl Hodd."
The inn proprietor looked at the place where the Witch Tower once wholly stood ever vigilant and shook her head in disbelief.
Riley shifts awkwardly at the sight of the deputies. "I'll leave speaking to the authorities to one of you two lovely ladies." He motions to Rhia and Anila. He begins looking through the rubble for anything out of the ordinary and searches for bodies or people who may need medical attention.
He moves over toward Connor and Felix. "You guys see anything out of the ordinary? Talia said Kobold sightings are rare in these parts. She also said the last Baron died about nine years ago while exploring this place."
Connor stares long at the folk who have gathered. Then he turns and sees his companions arriving. He glances around and then slides his axe into his belt and then slings his shield over his back.
He walks to the two deputies that Talia pointed out.
”Greetings,” he says as he raises his hand.
”I am Connor, son of Ceorl; I have heard that the bodies of twelve kobolds have been discovered and – as of now – no one knows why the tower collapsed. Is there anything that we can do to aid you?” he asks politely but briskly.
As he waits for an answer, he moves to the bodies of the kobolds and studies them intently.
Did they die when the stones fell and broke upon them? Or was there some other thing that may have killed them – do they have stab wounds deep into their chest, or were their throats cut instead, perhaps?
He examines the kobolds carefully –
After making the diagnosis he studies the ground around the fallen tower carefully, seeking for any possible natural signs which may have caused the tower to fall. Perhaps a tremor, or perhaps simple weathering of the ground and earth over the years had worn things away? Or perhaps something more deliberate…
When he is done with that he stands up and looks around at the surrounding area for a long moment, his eyes piercing the shadows to stare at the strange building to the west of the tower.
Moving toward Felix with a purpose he speaks in a low voice to the Man-Cat.
”Folk said there are other dead kobolds yet I have not seen the bodies. Besides, there may be others that yet live but have fled this place after the tower fell. I do not know much about your people, but how are you at tracking?” he asks him, his gaze flicking to Felix’s bestial nose and then back up to stare at the Man-Cat’s eyes.
At that moment Riley approached them both.
He moves over toward Connor and Felix. "You guys see anything out of the ordinary? Talia said Kobold sightings are rare in these parts. She also said the last Baron died about nine years ago while exploring this place."
He turns to look at Riley a moment.
"There is a building to the west of here; it has been made recently, I do not know for what purpose, yet it might be worth exploring."
"Meanwhile, I have known many kobolds when I was in the River Kingdoms. They do not leave tracks like most humans do; if there are other kobolds that survived we must try to find any markings they may have left before these people tread upon the ground and spoil any tracks," he says.
"Another pair of eyes cannot hurt. Come; help us search," he says to Riley, seemingly confident in Felix's support.
As they approached, she looked about, both to take in the scene, but also to check for any wounded. Were there any, she would attempt to tend to them. After, she turned her attention to the two locals.
"The two remaining deputies I spoke of earlier. The female is Deputy Letha Mulle and the male, Deputy Varyl Hodd."
A thought occurred to her and she felt foolish for not having asked Mistress Talia sooner: "Does the Witch Tower have any significance beyond being a ruin and the doom of the Baron? Surely it was constructed for a reason..."
She wanted to ask what news the deputies might hold, but it occurred to her that they might not respond well to their group as they'd earlier been under suspicion of working with Gribb. Rhialtyra held off of approaching directly. She wanted to hear if Talia knew anything about the Witch Tower itself and she also wanted to see what her companions would do.
If, after receiving her answer, no one addressed either deputy, she would do so herself by introducing herself and politely asking what the deputies had thus far gathered.
Felix begins to move around, his nostrils flaring as he pulls in the scent from the wreckage.
You do notice the enormous heap of cracked stone and splintered wood from the tower lying in a low mound in the area and tumbling partially down the hill to the southeast.
There are a few people with scratches and alike but you suspect those are the townsfolk who were too busy gawking at the plume and debris that they simply tripped and fell over the rubble, which is not the safest place to be moving over and about. Their injuries are slight (cuts and bruises) from what you can determine with your eyes.
Atop the rubble, half buried in the rubble, you see two scaly, unmoving bodies - but no other bodies can be seen with the eye.
At this time, you cannot tell much of anything more than the Witch Tower was made of stone and wood.
He walks to the two deputies that Talia pointed out.
”Greetings,” he says as he raises his hand.
”I am Connor, son of Ceorl; I have heard that the bodies of twelve kobolds have been discovered and – as of now – no one knows why the tower collapsed. Is there anything that we can do to aid you?” he asks politely but briskly.
1d20+4=15
The female deputy simply ignored the blue-eyed warrior. The male deputy, Deputy Varyl Hodd, cast a stern glance toward the stranger, slowly removed the blade of grass from his mouth and replied directly,
"Eh? Who are you to interfere in official business? Bugger off and let us do our job." He then proceeds to turn his back to Connor and pushing the stalk of grass back into his mouth, continues chewing and looking out over the rubble.
The two kobolds are not moving or breathing from what you can tell. The parts of their bodies you can see amid the rubble show deep lacerations and the arms appear to be at strange angles as if broken by the falling tower heavy debris.
You cannot tell if any natural hazard or weather phenomenon caused the tower to fall. The skies are clear, the wind is cool and calm this night. The ground around the rubble, atop the hill doesn't appear overly wet - just damp from the night air and enough to leave a slight foot impression in some places.
There are many human tracks - most have been made in the last 30 mins with so many curious townsfolk milling about the place. You do manage to discover three sets of tracks that appear to be those made by kobolds, which is surprisingly since you only discovered two dead kobold bodies amid the rubble. They appear to originate from the north-west coming toward the tower in the north-east.
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A thought occurred to her and she felt foolish for not having asked Mistress Talia sooner: "Does the Witch Tower have any significance beyond being a ruin and the doom of the Baron? Surely it was constructed for a reason..."
"Regrettably, history is not my forte, Mistress Rhialtyra. All I know is that the tower is a very, very old one - standing at the time of my grandparents and great grandparents and even before them. It became a ruin because it was abandoned and none own it - it was preserved by the Baroness herself for it was the place her husband perished. You may wish to speak with Bassy, the local gnome, our longest living resident - she would be more than four centuries old by now."
Felix begins to move around, his nostrils flaring as he pulls in the scent from the wreckage.
Felix's nose can pick up the strong scent of rot, mildew and centuries of decay amid the broken wood and stone. It's quite overpowering. Also, there is the distinctive stench of death - definitely coming from the two kobold bodies and possibly a third scent but you cannot see any evidence of more than two bodies at present.
Not soon after Connor was rebuffed by Deputy Hodd, but the two deputies began to argue among themselves - With their boss out of town, they are clearly out of their element and their lack of experience is showing.
A female voice in the crowd called out, "Why not ask the wizard Hunclay if he knows what's happened, here? His manor shares the same hill and his property appears to be still standing!"
The two deputies argue anew as to who would knock on the wizard's door at this late hour, neither one wanting to incur the wizard's particular ire.
An exasperated voice broke through their deliberation. It belonged to Calladastina Homas. "Oh for the love of my sanity. I will go and seek out the wizard while you two argue and nothing more."
Deputy Hodd and Deputy Mulle lifted their hands and stayed the locals (including Calladastina Homas who hadn't moved off yet), quietening them before declaring aloud, "We will go up to Hunclay Manor. The rest of you mind your steps and do not touch anything here!" Deputy Hodd's small eyes strayed to Connor and the group of strangers to push the point home. "We are the deputies here and it is our duty."
The two deputies begin to walk in the direction of the adjacent building.
Connor stands up from the tracks and turns on his heel and moves to Talia.
”Your security force is not a good one, Talia Orem. They are ill-mannered as well as very stupid in how they handle things,” he says with a brisk tone.
”I have searched the ground for tracks, but it was not easy. There are too many people wandering about, if there were not so many people gathered here then finding the tracks would have been easier.”
He turns to Rialtyra.
”I do not know why you are here; but if you have come to help then that would be good. But maybe a history lesson on the tower could be enjoyed at the tavern later; for now, there may be more pressing issues.”
He turns back to Talia.
”Three sets of kobold tracks came from that building in the north-west,” he says pointing into the trees.
”Two kobolds are dead; the third is missing and I do not know where it went from the tower as all of these people have disturbed the tracks.”
”I would guess it had other business besides this tower.”
As he considers things he turns at a loud voice behind him.
An exasperated voice broke through their deliberation. It belonged to Calladastina Homas. "Oh for the love of my sanity. I will go and seek out the wizard while you two argue and nothing more."
Connor turns and stares at this Calladastina woman and nods at her words, glad that someone has decided to take action instead of standing around and doing nothing.
When he sees that she is rebuffed, he slings his shield from his back and grips it and slides the axe from his belt as he watches the exchange.
Deputy Hodd's small eyes strayed to Connor and the group of strangers to push the point home. "We are the deputies here and it is our duty."
Connor watches the deputies a moment and then turns to Talia –
”There is at least one more kobold that has survived the collapse of the tower and now those two go to a wizard to ask questions?"
He shakes his head.
"It might have been better if they had widened their search to study the grounds and find out where the third kobold went," he adds as he watches them go.
He shrugs and turns to walk to Calladastina Homas and nods to her.
"Greetings; I am Connor, son of Ceorl," he says to her.
"You spoke with courage and strength; those are good things."
"Will you tell me your name?" he asks her with a polite voice.
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Partial Map of the The Witch Tower location
Both The Witch Tower and Huntley Manor are located in the north-east corner of the map - atop a hill on the outskirts of Belhaim proper. The buildings are adjacent and the distance between them is 120ft.
The three sets of kobold tracks Connor discovered seem to be coming from the direction of the manor and move toward the entrance of the tower.
"Regrettably, history is not my forte, Mistress Rhialtyra. All I know is that the tower is a very, very old one - standing at the time of my grandparents and great grandparents and even before them. It became a ruin because it was abandoned and none own it - it was preserved by the Baroness herself for it was the place her husband perished. You may wish to speak with Bassy, the local gnome, our longest living resident - she would be more than four centuries old by now."
Rhialtyra nodded, rueful. "Thank you," she said, before adding: "Hopefully Delfi can introduce me to her tomorrow if we've the time." She smiled at the younger girl, observing her reaction to ensure she was well and not alarmed. The current going ons were rather exciting, after all.
”Your security force is not a good one, Talia Orem. They are ill-mannered as well as very stupid in how they handle things,” he says with a brisk tone.
”I have searched the ground for tracks, but it was not easy. There are too many people wandering about, if there were not so many people gathered here then finding the tracks would have been easier.”
Connor spoke succinctly and Rhialtyra was disappointed to learn that her concerns had come true - any actionable evidence seemed to have been ruined. All the same, she was impressed by his quick action.
His next words, however, were not so impressive.
”I do not know why you are here; but if you have come to help then that would be good. But maybe a history lesson on the tower could be enjoyed at the tavern later; for now, there may be more pressing issues.”
Though her initial reaction may have been to snap at him were she thirty or so years younger, she had long since learned better. Instead, she spoke coolly and evenly, explaining, "I do not argue that there are things in motion that we do not understand, Connor son of Coerl, but I have no intention of putting myself at risk without cause and if there is a clue to be had in some danger's history, whether it be one in two or one in a thousand, I would be a fool to ignore it."
She might not be the most intelligent or the most wise, but her father had taught her - and her cousin - that it was better to know a situation before making a trade so that you weren't the one who lost your money in the doing of it.
Having received the answer she desired from Mistress Talia, she began the next step of her own deliberations.
Tracking and combat was not something she excelled at - rather, her own gifts lay elsewhere.
She approached the fallen tower, carefully picking her way through the sharp slabs of stone and other odds and ends. The aasimar stopped in the pile of rubble, just far enough back that she might cover a good amount of the Witch Tower with her spell.
She spoke clearly, incanting, and gestured with her right hand in each of the cardinal directions before making a circle before her with her right index finger. Though detecting magic was often made more difficult when there was large masses of stone or other materials in her way, the tower's fall had actually made her work much easier by simply eradicating the obstructions. If there was any magic involved, she hoped to learn of it.
Though her initial reaction may have been to snap at him were she thirty or so years younger, she had long since learned better. Instead, she spoke coolly and evenly, explaining, "I do not argue that there are things in motion that we do not understand, Connor son of Ceorl, but I have no intention of putting myself at risk without cause and if there is a clue to be had in some danger's history, whether it be one in two or one in a thousand, I would be a fool to ignore it."
He turns and studies her.
"Finding the secrets to a mystery is a good thing."
"Tonight we learn that there are dead bodies in the rubble - I am not skilled in leechcraft, yet if I were, I would seek to find out what caused their death. Was it the fallen tower, or perhaps the third member of their company slit the throats of his companions? Who knows in truth what happened to kill those two and let the third leave untouched, but I am curious and did what I could to find out, though I do not wholly trust my results."
He glances at the deputies.
"There are authorities here, yet they will not help us and instead insult us. That is my fault, perhaps, for I am not so good with words as others are. Yet perhaps if someone with a more honeyed tongue than I spoke to them they may have been more eager to aid us; but who can say what might have been?"
"The folk have also said that kobolds are rare; yet for some reason three came this very night to search this place. Is there, perhaps, a sacred or religious significance to this night which drew them to this place that we may not have considered? I cannot say, for I am not well versed in matters of religion."
He glances at the ground and the surrounding trees, then turns to look at Rhialtyra again.
"The tracks of the kobolds started from the direction of that wizard's house there," he says, pointing to where Hunclay Manor is.
"Those three sets of tracks end here at this tower. Two bodies were found, yet not the third. For myself, I would like to find out more about that third kobold; did he survive the fall of the tower? If he lived, then where did he go after the tower fell and what his business was this night. Will he appear after we sleep to assault me in my bunk this night, if we do not find him first?" he adds.
"Yet that will take time to find those tracks with so many people lingering about to disturb the ground, but who among us can encourage them to return to their beds? That would take someone more skilled with such speeches than I am, no doubt."
He looks at her for a moment -
"I do not mean to insult you, and apologize if I have."
"Meanwhile I fear the longer we wait the harder it may be to track the third member of those kobolds. As for myself, I am going to try to find someone in this group I can persuade to help me encourage these people to go home so we can work without more distraction on whatever we chose to do here," he adds, then nods at her and then turns to find someone who may be able to encourage the people to return home so they can start searching the area without a crowd to disturb their work.
”Your security force is not a good one, Talia Orem. They are ill-mannered as well as very stupid in how they handle things,” he says with a brisk tone.
"Master Connor, you have not met all of our deputies to make such a bold pronouncement. Only the two present this night, and, they are the least experienced of them all. If the Sheriff and his main deputies were here it would have had a different outcome." Although, to be sure, Talia was not sure Connor would have liked Sir Pelle Benhovy's attitude any better than he did the two silly deputies.
"We will try to make the best of it, then."
Rhialtyra nodded, rueful. "Thank you," she said, before adding: "Hopefully Delfi can introduce me to her tomorrow if we've the time." She smiled at the younger girl, observing her reaction to ensure she was well and not alarmed. The current going ons were rather exciting, after all.
Talia cast her eyes down to Delfi who nodded in turn, affirming she would take the lady to meet Bassy.
"If Bassy can be found and isn't working on some task for the Baroness, then it may be possible to meet with her."
Delfi quickly returned Rhialtyra's smile; her large expressive eyes taking in all the activity and confusion around her.
"Greetings; I am Connor, son of Ceorl," he says to her.
"You spoke with courage and strength; those are good things."
"Will you tell me your name?" he asks her with a polite voice.
Diplomacy Check on Calladastina Homas
1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
The woman who had spoken turned her eyes on the warrior. Her skin was paler than most of the other Taldans - possibly from seeing less sun. Her dark hair was limp and her deep grey eyes held a modicum of sorrow. She looked around thirty winters old.
"It is neither from courage nor strength, Connor son of Ceorl. But I thank you for your high regard. Those two deputies seldom do anything worthwhile - it is most discouraging." After a moment's pause, she added with a more friendlier tone, "I am Calladastina Honas, Belhaim's Undertaker. Good to meet of one of the stranded caravan guards, even under these circumstances."
She approached the fallen tower, carefully picking her way through the sharp slabs of stone and other odds and ends. The aasimar stopped in the pile of rubble, just far enough back that she might cover a good amount of the Witch Tower with her spell.
Within a few minutes, the two deputies, Hodd and Mulle, returned to the ruins of the tower.
It was at this time that the town's baroness, Lady Origena Devy, arrived with her son, Arnholde, to examine the trouble and take charge of the situation. The baroness waved the deputies forward and the two heeded her request/gesture promptly and without question.
"Two dead kobolds among the ruins, my Lady. We've recently returned from Hunclay Manor after seeking the wizard for news regarding the collapsed tower," relayed Deputy Letha Mulle.
"When we arrived, my Lady, we discovered the charred remains of a third kobold on the doorstep. I banged on Hunclay's door I did, but there was no answer. Deputy Mulle reached for the door handle but I grabbed her wrist away in case it were rigged with magic strong enough to kill a kobold. We, looking to Mulle, thought it best to leave the wizard for the moment and return with our findings." The male deputy could barely look the baroness in the eyes, somewhat fearful of her reaction.
The baroness had listened to the deputies account and simply gazed upon the obviously inferior officers before her. Her hazel-green eyes scanned the crowd, desperate for more effective assistance and fell on the gathered newcomers. To the deputies she ordered, "Bring me those people, there."
Hodd and Mulle moved promptly to Gribb's caravan guards and motioned then forward, "The Baroness wishes to speak with you, now. Come along." It was Hodd who relayed the "request" with a devilish twinkle in his small, dark eyes.
The stench of death is too overpowering for Felix to make out much more as far as the smells go.
As Anila at the site of the tower ruins she was shocked by all the destruction. A whirlwind of events took place and Anila was scarcely able to think before Deputy Hodd approached with a message that the Baroness was requesting our presence.
The group follows Hodd at a brisk pace to speak with the Baroness. As they approach, Anila steps forward from the group to address the Baroness. She is an elegant looking woman with her platinum blonde, silver hair up in a smooth twist. She was one that gave off the feeling you did not want to cross her.
Anila spoke up in her dulcet tone, “My lady, my name is Anila Vayu. Please allow me to introduce my companions, Master Conner son of Ceorl, Mistress Rhialtyra Sunaki, Master Riley Rylin’dar, and Master Felix Bramblethorn. We are pleased to make your acquaintance and offer our assistance in any way we can.”
Felix looks the woman over and takes in her scent, gaining any information he can from it before speaking.
Felix moves up with Anila and says May I second that my lady. The hospitality your town has given us has been exemplary and I hope we can help in any way you need.
Rhialtyra softened at Connor's explanation. Truly, it had been a clash of culture. She herself had already observed he was a man of action. To him, she must have appeared sluggish.
"Convenient though it may be," she explained, her tone much gentler, "We do not have any authority in this place. We are but strangers in a small town and though we might persuade some to return to their homes, there are still those who would stay to be contrary. These people are far more likely to trust each other than us - we have yet to do anything to earn trust. Such is the nature of things."
She stepped away to cast her spell - it would not do to wait too long. As it were, she might catch traces of mid level magic, if there any. It was already too late for anything slight.
The aasimar tsked when her spell revealed nothing. She'd thought the tower might've been felled with magical means, but the lack of a particularly strong magical trace meant that there had been little, if any, magic done here in the past half hour.
The return of the deputies - as well as the newcomers - caused Rhialtyra to step back towards Talia and the others. The newcomers clearly held some authority here and she didn't want to tangle with them if she had no need to.
"Bring me those people, there."
Hodd and Mulle moved promptly to Gribb's caravan guards and motioned then forward, "The Baroness wishes to speak with you, now. Come along." It was Hodd who relayed the "request" with a devilish twinkle in his small, dark eyes.
Rhialtyra mentally winced. Of course they'd be called on.
Anila spoke up and offered their help, quickly seconded by Felix. It was a good move. It was far better to be proactive and participate in the investigation rather than be blamed for it out of hand.
She stepped forward as well, wanting to add her own greeting. She wasn't sure if he was reveling in their potential misfortune, but if he were, she condemned him.
"Lady," she greeted with a slight curtsy. She'd not spent her time with nobles and mimicked a cleric's greeting - for that was what she had most often seen. "We are strangers in this place, deceived by our employer, and trying only to find our way forward."
Straightening, the aasimar moved some of her hair behind her shoulder, causing it to reflect the torchlight, and continued: "Though I cannot tell you much as I was not near enough to tell if there were small magics at mischief here, I can say that there was no strong spell here that caused this."
After a brief pause, she added: "We could not truly investigate as these fine deputies wanted to make sure no evidence was disturbed, but with your permission, I would like to speak with this Wizard and learn more. Life was lost here, before and now, and life should be valued. I would seek to understand what has happened here."
"Convenient though it may be," she explained, her tone much gentler, "We do not have any authority in this place. We are but strangers in a small town and though we might persuade some to return to their homes, there are still those who would stay to be contrary. These people are far more likely to trust each other than us - we have yet to do anything to earn trust. Such is the nature of things."
He looks at Rhialtyra and says nothing, as if thinking on her words.
”Maybe,” he says after a moment.
”Still, there are many ways a man may be heard,” he says with an equally polite voice. His gaze flicks from Rhialtyra to the crowd and his grip tightens on his axe.
Then he relaxes the grip on his axe a little, but still holds it ready.
”But you are wise and in this matter I shall follow your advice,” he says with a friendly voice.
”So now I shall look to some that others listen to and, maybe, find some of the people here that could persuade their own companions to return to their homes," he adds with a polite nod, then turns to talk to Talia.
"Master Connor, you have not met all of our deputies to make such a bold pronouncement. Only the two present this night, and, they are the least experienced of them all. If the Sheriff and his main deputies were here it would have had a different outcome." Although, to be sure, Talia was not sure Connor would have liked Sir Pelle Benhovy's attitude any better than he did the two silly deputies.
Connor’s expression is grim and his earlier calm seemingly distracted by the events and he regards Talia for a moment before responding to her.
”It is true, I have not met all of those charged to protect this place, but in truth, I did not mean to denounce any but what I have seen.”
”There is a saying with my people – Never trust a sword until it is tested.”
”My apologies, Talia Orem. You are right; I do not know their chief or their shield brothers. Perhaps, when I meet them, their skill may impress me and I may indeed think highly of them – but I speak the truth to you now that these two are fools.”
”Meanwhile, their chief gave these two authority while he was gone, yes? Does he not know their quality, or does he not care that the two he placed in charge in his absence are incompetent?”
His eyes soften as he looks at her.
Since he has arrived he was cheated from money promised and nothing was done about it, and now he sees the actions of the two deputies and it has clearly angered him further. Still, whatever he may feel about the authorities here, he knows their mistakes are not Talia’s. Besides, she has shown courtesy, wisdom and generosity and he has no desire to offend her, even by accident.
”I spoke harshly just now, please forgive that. As for their chief? Who can say what was in his heart or mind when he made that decision? And while I do not think highly of that wisdom, still; I shall reserve judgment on him until I meet him, as you advise.”
He turns to regard the crowd of people loitering around the scene of the accident, a dark expression in his blue eyes as he stares at the people milling about – obfuscating tracks, meandering through the broken wreck of the tower, chatting among themselves in worry, yet he saw none carrying arms to protect themselves if there were further threats.
He shakes his head and turns back to Talia.
”I do not understand their attitude," he says after a moment.
”They have been here for many minutes, yet what provision are they making for the town itself? This thing has happened here; perhaps other things may be happening in the town even now? After all, this attack on the northern side of your town has led everyone in the town to this spot and now their houses are empty and undefended behind us. Has no one even considered the possibility that this accident could be a trick to lure your people from their homes as other enemies move from the south to attack in secret…" he says as his voice trails off, then turns to look at her thoughtfully - "I say this about this attack on the tower being a possible feint and a true threat that might come for the south because I myself have seen such tactics used before," he adds.
Then he shrugs.
”Well, it cannot be helped, but – maybe – if another was in charge now, things would go better,” he added.
He looks at Talia for a moment longer.
”You are a good woman Talia Orem and have show me and your guests good hospitality. I honor you for that and I hope my long words did not offend you,” he says to her with a respectful voice.
"It is neither from courage nor strength, Connor son of Ceorl. But I thank you for your high regard. Those two deputies seldom do anything worthwhile - it is most discouraging." After a moment's pause, she added with a more friendlier tone, "I am Calladastina Honas, Belhaim's Undertaker. Good to meet of one of the stranded caravan guards, even under these circumstances."
Connor swings his axe to the same hand that grips the strap his shield, and he grips the weapon a bit awkwardly in his left hand while he swings his right hand forward and takes her hand in a firm grip.
”Well met, indeed!” he says to her with a sincere smile brightening his otherwise grim expression.
”You offered good advice in a hard situation and that is worth praise,” he adds, then he releases her hand and swaps his axe back to his right hand again as he looks up and notices the presence of a somewhat regal lady called “The Baroness” who is giving orders to the two deputies who have returned.
Hodd and Mulle moved promptly to Gribb's caravan guards and motioned then forward, "The Baroness wishes to speak with you, now. Come along." It was Hodd who relayed the "request" with a devilish twinkle in his small, dark eyes.
He turns back to Calladastina.
"It seems I have been summoned so I must leave you. But perhaps we shall talk again later?" he says to her with a friendly smile.
Connor sees Hodd's sneer but own expression remains completely neutral and relaxed and he does not say anything in response.
Instead, he watches his companions move forward and greet this woman with grave respect and courtesy and moves forward to follow them.
He does not know anything about her and is studying her before he makes any decisions, but until he learns more, he does nothing to compromise the courtesy his companions have shown her.
Riley watches as Connor speaks quickly and harshly and then apologizes. He had noted that it had happened on more than one occasion in the past few hours. He would expect the harshness from a man of his appearance and profession. The apologizing shortly after was what baffled the former pirate. Riley moves over to the warrior and speaks quietly. "You seem to be a man of many words. You may want to judge them before they cross your lips. It seems you often regret them once they are spoken." He gives a crooked smile and a wink before he falls in behind him. He calls over to Talia, "Why don't you join us love?"
Riley follows the others and is glad when they speak to the Baroness first. He stands behind Connor and takes it all in. A charming bunch this group. All the easier to remain hidden.