"Yes we need a place with lodging for Ned as well." Stam says pulling out his coins.
The Bountyful Catch has a sign above the door that depicts a fisherman hauling in a net full of fish and a curvaceous mermaid with a knowing smile on her lips.
Entring the inn you find yourself in a tavern where two men, probably farmers, who sit above their bowls of fish stew. Behind the bar stands a taciturn man who polishes the surface with a cloth. Seeing the strangers enter he tells "Room is three gold. I have three left."
Two rooms please. Spugnoir drops three gold
The innkeeper takes the coins and hands Spugnoir one key. "Up the stairs, last room on the right." Then he waits for who pays the second room.
Stam walks over and hands the man 3 gold, "How much for my Oxen outside?"
"Outside is for free. I have no stable." the man replies and hands Stam a keey too. "Upstairs, last room, left side."
Spugnoir goes up and after putting down his pack, begins to check out and secure the room. He makes sure the windows can be shuttered and locked, that no secret sliding panels are in the walls and that they can easily control who comes through the door.
I can try to make some items like Thunderstones that can alert us if someone breaks in.
Spugnoir finds no unusual features in the room. The door has a lock and the window a lach to secure it from the inside.
darius walks up to Spugnoir and slaps him on the back. "Bunk mates again old friend Spugs." he says then walks around the room dropping the much lighter backpack onto the bed.
"This place sure is a strange one. Why would anyone keep living out here in this stench and sodden land?"
Stam hands the key over to Grergof and heads back outside to rub Ned down and put his blanket on him.
"Well my friend I guess you are sleeping under the stars." Stam gives Ned feed then heads back inside. "Grergof is this entire country so dour and bleek?" Stam says resting on his bed.
Much of it yes, particularity this area. I have no idea if it was always like this or we are just seeing echos of the time that this land was the heart of a great Lich's empire.
Grergof is cleaning his armor and weapons as he talks.
Hmmm...Where should we start looking around for that rider? Hmm..I suppose the innkeeper and at the tavern.
Spugnoir begins setting out his alchemy kit. Shall I brew some potions?
Gregrof changes and puts his chain shirt under his clothing and straps on only his scimitar while slipping his dagger into his boot.
When he is presentable he looks at Stam:
Shall we go on meet the locals? We could use the time to get the lay of the land.
Then Grergof heads to whatever common room is busy and starts mingling with the townsfolk. Buying drinks for the locals and generally trying to understand what is going on in town. He makes no attempt to hide that he is a monk of Sarenrae here to help if any are in need.
You enter The Walleyed Kraken as it looks like the most lively place. "Hey, visitors to our nice town. Come here, the first one is on the house!" Isabella, an outgoing woman with a winning smile, calls out from behind the bar. She sets up a row of shot glasses and fills them.
She becomes even more joyful as Grergof spends drinks for the patrons. But this wouldn't have been necessary. Isabella tells more than all of the fishermen that are here together.
"Nope, no riders have been through town lately, not that I’ve seen. P’raps he went to see the Neighbours down bay." she tells "You know, if no horse is standing outside. We have no horses in town and no stables."
"I think we haven’t had anybody new in town since that Lucas feller showed up a while back. He mainly keeps to hisself, and don’t give no trouble."
Darius packs his backpack into a cupboard and takes his sword with him and says to Spugs, "It's early still. Lets go grab the others and have a look around."
"Thank you my dear. How long ago did Lucas arrive here?"
"I'm not sure. I think he is here a few month. He tries to set up some kind of business here." She takes a shot herself and sets up another line.
What business? Seems you good folk have most of what you need already.
He motions around the common room that seems to have a number of happy people.
"You're quite the joker. Our only business is fish, and that went down the gutter too the last month. Most ships come back only half full or without any fish at all."
"But I don't know what business he tried to establish. Just some merchant outpost or someting."
Spugnoir mutters to Darius. Keeps to himself, stays quiet, sounds...fishy
Do you have any idea what happened to the fish? Did the weather change or something that may have made them move to deeper parts of the lake?
"Our priests are prayign for it. But noone has a real clue." she replies.
Priests? You have multiple here? Unusual for such a small town. It's a credit to you all that you devote so much attention to the forces beyond. Where do they worship, I would like to offer them my respects.
After getting the answer, Grergof follows up with another question while continuing to offer the barkeep and anyone who want them drinks:
The tavern's name is very unusual... How did you come up with it?
The symbolism of the Kracken pulling down the moon is one I've not seen before.
Spugnoir eyes the drinks and makes sure they aren't poisoned.
Stam sits down, looking at the shots, then taking one.
"Is it a magical issue? I could look into this for you. Lucas was trying to make some sort of ship that travels under the water, is this something for looking into why the fish are dying or whatever is happening to them or just a scientific experiment?"
Darius chuckles at Spugnoirs comment. Then asks "What religion are your priests devoted to, if I may enquire. I myself am a follower of Iomedae and my friend here follows Sarenrae."
Isaella willingly answers that charming Grergof's questions. The alcohol might help too to loosen her tongue. "At the Hall of the Recondite Order of the Indomitable Sea. It's the most impressive building, just across the town square."
"The sign? Well, everything here is connected to the sea. And haven't you heard the myths about the watcher in the bay? That's why."
Turning to Stam she tells "That crazy guy? That is Horace Croon. Stay away from him or you might catch the crazy too."
About the temple she tells "It is a Gozreh temple."
"What is the watcher in the bay?" Stam asks, "Also how come you have no stables? How do the farmers keep the animals?"
Grergof chuckles.
Farmers? It looked like mostly swamp and marsh around here. I doubt there are many farmers here. Am I right?
He smiles at Isabella as he says this, trying to keep her drawn into the conversation.
"The watcher in the bay is some mysterious creature. Some say to have seen it and it looks like a gigantic squid. Like on my tavern sign. And no farmers." Isabella answers. "Don't forget to drink your shots, with all that talking!" She downs another one herself.
Grergof keeps Isabella's eyes focused on him by continuing to talk to her and making a big show of joining her in drinking a couple shots.
So how did a nice girl like you, end up running a tavern all the way out here? You don't seem to fit with all the fisherfolk.
"A gigantic squid sounds like it would be quite a sight, maybe that is what Horace was trying to find under the sea." Stam says holding on to his drink. "who would we talk to about helping to solve that issue?"
"That's why I run the Tavern. It's a much better job than fishing." Isabella replies. "And I'm grown here."
"Solve what issue? You're one of those to prove mysteries?" she adds to Stam.
Darius had this first drink but after the first one he simply cups his hand over the shot glass every time she tries to pour another one simply stating "Thank you one is enough for me till I've had some food in me. I wouldn't want to confuse any of my prayers." he says with a wink.
He leans on the counter "A giant squid you say. I have never seen the like before."
While you have your chat an imposing figure in armor and with a weapon accompanied by two more guys enters the tavern. He looks around and as he sees the strangers he approaches you. "Who are, you and what is your business in Illmarsh." he inquires rudely without a greeting. You get the idea, he is some kind of an official - but as he didn't introduce himself...
Isabella rolls her eyes.
"Darius Redgrave, cleric of Iomedae and these are my companions who will introduce themselves. We're on the trail of someone who we believe passed through here. And who are you...sir?" Darius says, standing his ground against the newcomers.
"I would like to see what this beast is and maybe try to bring your fishing back to your town." Stam replies ignoring the large bully
Grergof turns around and stands up, but makes not threatening moves and just waits for the for figure in armor to answer. While he is waiting he sizes up all three figures.
Sugnoir.As my friend here has said, we are after a criminal and are trying to get their location. Once we do so, we will leave to find them.
The guy turns to Grergof and Stam in a harsh tone "Your answer."
"Stam Truthfinder." Stam looks over her shoulder "Our business is our business. We didn't come to cause any issues and none will be caused." Stam says dryly
I am Brother Varsk, member in good standing of the Star Guards, and Professor at the Temple of the Shining Star. As for my business - I am simply here to ensure the safety of these fine gentlemen as they do their good work. I can assure you that you will have no trouble from any of them as long as no one raises a hand against them or attempts to impede their divine sanctioned hunt for this criminal.
Now, you have your answer, but I do not believe I have heard your response to Father Redgrave's question.
Hmmm... If I'm not mistaken good manners in this area of Ustalav do dictate that one responds pleasantly to an inquiry like that when it is posed to them. Unless...
Oh I'm sorry, is it local custom that we should just demand what we want? If so we will of course be willing to modify our behavior to not offend your local sensibilities.
"I'm the sheriff here, and I'm the one asking questions. The mayor wants to see you. Now." he barks, expecting you to get up and come along.
Oh, he wants to see me? That's wonderful!
Since he is already standing Grergof waits for a few seconds silently looking at the sheriff then says
Then why are you still standing here? He makes a shooing motion with his hand, Lead on, Lead on, I would hate to have to tell the mayor that I was late because his sheriff couldn't find his way out of the tavern to escort me to him.
"If you want to play uppity, I can give you a free tour through jail and a bed for the night." he snarls and leads the way to the major.
You are brought to the town hall, where the major's office is on the second floor. As you are there the major greets you. "Thanks, for coming."
"Thank you for bringing them here, sheriff. That's all." The major then waits for the sheriff to leave. Which he does. With obvious discontent.
Once the door is closed the major continues "I'm major Early Greedle, and I'm in an awkward position." Greedle is a scrawny man with oily skin and red-splotched cheeks, dressed in a formal, though somewhat shabby, coat and top hat. He appears slightly out of breath and has a gasping manner of speaking.
"I need your help. But I guess you have some questions first. I'm willing to give you any information you need about this town, that you obviously visit for a reason."
Once the Sheriff leaves Grergof tries to be in all ways a wonderful guest to the mayor.
Good evening Mayor, It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Brother Varsk, This is Father Redgrave, Mr. Truthfinder and Mr. Spugnoir.
Grergof says motioning to each man in turn.
As you probably heard we just arrived in town, and given the lack of courtesy your sheriff showed to us, I would imagine new people are something of an unusual event.
We were just starting to meet the people in town when your Sheriff intervened. I must say quite a hearty town you have here, holding up so well with the downtown of the fishing trade. I've seen smaller towns fall apart when the main employer in town hits a rough patch.
But listen to me babble on: you said you had a problem? Perhaps it makes sense to discuss the problem first before we ask questions, as your explanation may clear up some of the questions we were going to ask. And we are quite good a solving problems.
"If you prefer it that way around. We’ve had several people go missing recently-over a dozen so far. The sheriff and his deputies haven’t found hide nor hair of any of them, not a single clue as to what might have happened to them. It’s like they just up and vanished. People say it’s part and parcel of the bad luck we’ve had recently, but I’ve got my own suspicions." Greedle looks very nervous, as if he’s weighing whether or not to share more information.
Finally, he takes a deep breath "All right, I’m going to come clean with you. Something’s going on in this town, and I can’t sit by any longer and watch it slowly die. You’ve probably heard of the Recondite Order of the Indomitable Sea-it’s our local temple, and most of the townsfolk are loyal churchgoers. It’s no secret that the Order pretty much runs this town. Oh sure, I’m the duly appointed mayor, but it’s the vizier who pulls the strings. And I think he - or someone else in the Order - may be behind these disappearances. I don’t have any proof, only suspicions, but I can tell you that temple is not all that it seems to be. Like I said, practically everyone in town is a loyal follower of Father Voltiaro, including the sheriff, so there’s no one else I can trust."
"I need your help. Normally you would be suspects as strangers in town, but I’ve had you watched since you arrived-don’t look at me like that! You can never be too careful with strange folk hereabouts! Anyway, I’m pretty sure you’re not involved, and in these troubled times, that’s my only certainty. You look like professional sorts who know your way around the business end of a blade, and I need someone from outside to look into this for me. Therefore, against my better judgment, I’m willing to deputize you to solve these disappearances and bring whoever’s responsible to justice."
"I’m beseeching you on behalf of the good people of Illmarsh to go to the Order’s hall and take a look around. I’m sure you’ll find the priests are hiding something. If they’re behind this, you’ll be removing a blight from this town, and earning the gratitude of its humble citizens. I assure you, you will be well rewarded from the town’s treasury. Fish isn’t the only bounty we take from the sea. There’ve been enough shipwrecks and whatnot over the years that we’ve got some gold amassed-surely enough to gain your services for a short while. Plus I know you’ve been poking about, looking for someone - a rider from the north. Well, I may know a little more about him. If you help me, I’ll tell you everything."
Well that certainly sounds reasonable.
Grergof glances at the others before he says the following.
If we are being honest here, we are looking for more then just a criminal.
We believe the Rider brought with him a chest containing a little Effigy statue, that we understood he planned to trade for an artifact of some type. None of us here really want for the rider to get away with this artifact. As the group they are bringing it to would think nothing of killing this entire town just to have more walking dead for an army.
This statue is of the Demon Lord Dagon. Does that name mean anything to you?
Someone here obviously values it if they plan to trade it for an artifact. Unless of course you know the rider moved on without trading anything here.