"Maybe we need to do some research on this priest. How long ago did he die, and what were the circumstances? Also who knew him, or had any kind of relationship with him. Someone would not go to all this trouble to get just 'any' body. They choose the Father specifically, and that means a connection of some kind, yes?"
"I think that's a fair way to go about it. And I'm certain that both the graveyard would have a marker."
Chavana shivers at the thought.
"Or We can go to the temple. I'd prefer the temple, since they'd know the circumstances of his death. We could also find out about any family he may have, too. I never thought to ask before."
Yes please :-)
Heading off to the cathedral you find Father Zantus tending to choirs at the cathedral "Ah welcome! Is there something I can do for you?"
"Yes, Father, we are looking for some information about an old priest, who recently disappeared. Is there somewhere private we can talk?"
Chavana smiles warmly, although a small amount of worry does trace her features despite the smile.
I hope this isn't a trap.
"The sheriff has us helping out the town guard while he's away on business, and we've got our own investigation going as well, so we figured, with all the good will and everything, we could talk openly, but we don't want to scare anyone."
The father nods "Of course. Follow me." He leads you into one of the offices at the cathedral "So what is it I can help you with?"
"Thank you for letting us speak of this matter privately, Father. We are a little concerned with the disappearance of Father Tobyn's body. We were told to expect goblins, and we got skeletons instead. This would indicate some sort of necromantic player in this, which does not make me happy, as it's well beyond my skill to detect this type of horror beforehand."
Looking to Darpan and Ulrich for support,
"Darpan and I are not from around here, by a long shot. So, we're wondering if you can tell us about Father Tobyn. How long ago did he pass? Did he die peacefully, or under strange circumstances? Did he have any friends? Are any of them still with the living that we could visit, perhaps?"
Her features are becoming a little more hawkish as she asks the questions. Something is definitely beinning to bug her about the entire situation, but she is doing her best to hide it from the elder priest.
"Did he have any enemies? It's an awful lot of trouble to get a dead priest from his mausoleum, and I think Darpan's right when he says there's some sort of connection."
Darpan nods as Chavana recounts all his questions to the priest.
Father Zantus shakes his head slowly "Alas, poor Father Tabyn and his adopted daughter perished in a fire. The same fire the consumed the previous chapel and prompted to construction of this grand house of worship." he motions to the building you are all in. "As to his life before the fire I couldn't really comment. I came into town upon request of the mayor after the incident to procide over the new cathedral. From my understanding though he was a private man and mostly kept to himself and his daughter."
"The fire apparently started from within. Back then the building was all made of wood, like much of the town. I'm sure some horrible accident a candle left too burn to close to a curtain or something similar. The daughter, her name was Nualia I believe. I don't know much, as a I said I am not from town myself, but from what I've gathered she had some otherworldly blood in her. Quite a beauty I am told."
"Were there any other priests in the town at the time of the fire? And, thinking of his poor daughter, do you know of anyone who Nualia knew in life? Perhaps a friend, or a suitor, perhaps? We are really trying to make sure there's no danger to the town, and we are certainly grateful for your help so far. Also, was she buried with her father, or at a different location, I think it would be fair of us to pay our respects since we are asking about her as well."
Father Zantus shrugs "I can't really tell you more about the girl, perhaps ask someone who has been in town for some time. As to another priest, there was no one else, which is why I was requested. I believe the girl is buried in the cemetary here, but not in the same tomb as her father. That is held for the priesthood of the town."
"I can locate the place and take you to it if you wish." he continues.
"I think that would be good. It seems that maybe the two are linked, and if one disappeared, I am fearful that the grave of the other might also have been desecrated."
Chavana shudders openly at Darpan's description. She looks to Father Zantus, and, keeping her voice even with effort,
"I think that would be a good idea Darpan. Ulrich? Are you up for some more cemetary adventure, hopefully less exciting than last time?"
Father Zantus excuses himself a moment he walks into the other room and begins flipping through a large book. After a few pages he stops "Ah here it is. Follow me please." He leads you to a grave site with the name Nalia Tobyn. The site appears undisturbed.
Looking over the grave, Chavana sees it's not disturbed.
She looks at the gravestone, looking for the name and the birthday and date of death. As she does so, she begins a short prayer to Milani for the poor child's soul, even being this late, it's best to hope for the best.
"It is good that this grave has not been disturbed! I was afraid someone might have a vendetti against the priest and his family. It still does not answer the question of who took the body and why, however!"
Father Zantus nods "Of course, I'm sorry I couldn't answer more of your questions. As I noted, perhaps someone with a little more history of the town would be able to help."
"Who might you suggest we speak with Father? Who was close with the old priest and his daughter?"
Chavana looks to Darpan and Ulrich as they converse with the priest. She continues her prayers and listens to the priest's answers for whom to seek.
Father Zantus shrugs "It's hard to say specifically as I don't know much of their history. I'm sure the sheriff would know more. Also Ameiko seems to have a pretty solid beat on the goings on in town and she is part of one of the founding families so I know she has been around."
"Thank you father for your assistance. I think we will talk to Ameiko, if all are agreed?"
"Agreed. Let's leave this place of sadness."
Chavana frowns as she looks down on the grave one last time. Standing up and brushing herself off, she heads for the Rusty Dragon.
Darpan moves to walk beside the priestess.
"You seem sad Chavana. Is something the matter?"
"Dead bodies being stolen, the town being set on fire by someone organizing the goblins, undead in the cemetary, Ameiko's father. It seems that the town is set up for sadness. I.."
She stutters a moment longer and just hangs her head, frowning. She keeps pace with Darpan, Ulrich, and Nicat as the group heads back to the Rusty Dragon.
"who and why are the only questions I have right now. We can help people, but why someone is doing this is the question. Hopefully that leads us to who."
The group heads back to the Rusty Dragon after not really getting any more information than they already had. Aside from the normal patrons they have seen over the following days there are two newcomers they hadn't seen before.
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In a sing-song Varasian accent that still seem odd coming from the brawny half-orc, Ulrich calls out - "A pitcher of ale if you would mistress, and if there is some good bread and cheese as well."
As he sits with his companions he continues in a voice maybe a little to loud of the subject matter. "Grave robbing is bad business, but stealing the corpse of a priest is ill-luck doubled." He makes a finger-ward against evil that matches his Szcarni scarves if not his orcish palor. "Would that we had a place to start looking for the culprit... What is our next step in solving this mystery while we watch the town for the Sheriff?"
"I think we need to talk to the mistress of this establishment. She has lived here all her life, I believe, and she might be able to tell us more about the priest and his daughter, and what caused this ill-fated fire that took both their lives. Perhaps somewhere in that tale we will find a loose thread to tug!"
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As the group spoke, the more observant members could not help but notice a dwarf at a nearby table take notice of their conversation and listen intently. Dressed in rugged garb which had clearly been soaked by rain, dried and more than once mud-encrusted then cleaned by yet more rain, one could also note a hint of fine chain links observable underneath. The dwarf also wore a wide-brimmed hat and bit down on a cigar stub as he eavesdropped. A pack hung over the back of his chair, as did a shortbow, but his most interesting armament was a long length of sturdy chain with a heavy iron ball on one end. Wrapped around his waist twice, it was difficult to ascertain how one could even use such a weapon.
The dwarf made no attempt to keep his interest hidden. Instead, as more members of the group looked over at him, the dwarf nimbly hopped off his chair and walked over to the group. I reckon you're the ones Shalelu told me about. Name's Gelgish. Looking up at Ulrich he noted, couldn't help but overhear the big guy talkin', and if you're all tryin' to deal with the strange happenin's around these parts then I'd love to help. He stopped for a moment with an awkward expression and added, uh, that is if you'll have me.
Noticing a minor commotion, another dwarf nearby looks up from a mess of parchments at a nearby table. He peers at the strange dwarf in the hat intently, waiting for him to finish. Speaking softly, he steps over to the group. "If you'll pardon my interruption, I also have a certain interest in the investigation of such matters. I am called Thazar, and might be of use to those who seem to travel without the benefit of arcane magic. I am no great mage, but am well-versed in history and languages. I would be happy to contribute as I can."
He clears his throat and adjusts a rather odd skullcap that he wears. His demeanor is calm, and he wears rather ragged, grubby robes. Over the robes, a rather substantial leather sash is cinched around his waist, from which hangs a bound book on one side, and a rather aged-looking warhammer from a loop on the other. He clears his throat again, in a rather off-putting way. "I'd be happy to buy a round of drinks if you'd be interested in sharing your tale."
Darpan look to the others and shrugs.
"I am new to these lands. Is it normal for people to come up and just offer help?"
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Aside to Darpan, Ulrich says, "I'd say know but it sounds like they know Shalelu..."
To the dwarves, he says in his thick Varasian accent, "There has been trouble about and the Sheriff has gone for help. We're looking into a few things in the mean time. If Shalelu sent you, then I for one would be glad for some help - especially if it comes with a round of drinks. I am called Ulrich by some, others call me the Bear."
The newcomers may be surprised by the Bear's attitude, but if not for his obvious half-orc blood, you'd swear Ulrich was born-and-bred Szcarni.
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Gelgish's eyes narrowed as he took Ulrich's accent and dress. He said nothing for a split second, then shrugged and dropped a few silvers on the table. Deal. This round's on me. Next is on him. The last was said pointing at Thazar. After a quick hand wave to flag down the barmaid he deftly turned a wheeled a chair over to the table and hopped up on it. You say this town's got problems, what leads do we have to solve 'em?
"Darpan, in any land, just offering help occurs more often than it would be believed. Sadly, just as often as you help, you can get yourself into all sorts of trouble."
Looking to the two Dwarves, and Ulrich's response to them, Chavana smiles her bright smile.
"Certainly, any help is welcomed, and I'm sure that, if we were to locate the culprits in this awful, awful deed, the town would be quite grateful."
A moment of shock hits her, as she realizes that Nicat is nowhere to be seen, then another moment of shock hits her, and she stammers out.
"Chavana... my name is Chavana Haoul of Milani, my friend here" Montioning to Darpan, "Is Darpan, and Mr. Bear's already introduced himself. Apologies to both of you for not introducing myself properly as it has been a bit troubling today. We're on the lookout for a body-snatcher, one that apparently did not like the old priest very much, as he took his corpse. We're looking into his deceased daughter, as their home burnt down a short time before the current temple to many gods was erected.
Looking to Darpan and Ulrich, Chavana says "Did I miss anything?"
"Other than the goblin incursion the other day, which may, or may not have something to do with the corpse theft, I do believe you have summed it up beautifully."
With a reedy, somewhat quavering voice, Thazar adds: "Agreed, then. I am glad to make your acquaintance. I am interested to learn more about the situation, and these tales of body-snatching are... troubling, to say the least. Let's hear what the, ahem, 'Tavern Lady' has to say." It's not clear if Thazar is smirking at this last part, but it seems possible.
With Chavana getting Ameiko's attention she comes over to the table. "Hello friends can I get you something?"
"Hello Ameiko. I do apologize about our last... encounter in your establishment, but we are in need of your services."
Chavana looks around, trying to make sure that it's reasonably private.
"We are investigating the disappearance of someone's body, and we're hoping to find out some more about him and his daughter. Did you, by chance, know Father Tobyn's daughter, Nualia? We spoke with Father Zantus and he said you may be a good person to ask. We're trying to find out why someone would do such a horrible thing, and, thankfully, her resting place is undisturbed."
She takes a breath, her frown becoming deeper, obviously uncomfortable in the situation, and continues.
"We would like to know what she was like, who her friends were, if she had any, and if there was anything special about her someone with... ill intentions may predate upon."
She shudders at that last part and becomes silent. She puts her head in her hands to recover a moment, and looks up to Ameiko for a response.
Ameiko shakes her head a bit "It has been some time since I've thought on Nualia and Father Tobyn. The poor girl was somewhat of an oddity. She wasn't actually Father Tobyn's natural daughter, she had been abbandoned and Father Tobyn took her in. She had some sort of otherworldy heritage in her blood, extreme beauty. Many of the town though she had magical properties so she would commonly be poked and proded to try and get blessings and healing for ailments. At some point something happened where Father Tobyn basically locked her away at the cathedral. There were rumors she was pregnant but no one really knows more. Several months later, is when the fire occured. It was a pretty horrible thing. The place burnt up so bad no one ever did find Nualia's remains and there was little left of Father Tobyn. It seemed the fire started in Nualia's room which is likely why we never found any remains."
"Do you know what that 'something' may have been, Ameiko?"
Chavana looks to Ameiko hopefully. "Or, at worst, anyone who knew Nualia before the event?"
Chavana looks to the others, hoping they think of something better than whats she's asked.
"Do you happen to know with whom she might have been close? Maybe the father of her child?"