Zatial, Valena, Eliastra and Thorny are seated at benches in tavern room of the Wise Piper Inn. The smell of hot bread, strong ale and something spicy waft out of the kitchen. The weathered wooden table top shows signs of years of usage and the sounds of cheerful voices mingle with the clink of mugs and horns.
Most the usual clientele are also here. Store owner Caspar Tymek is quietly laughing over some joke with innkeeper Talia Orem. Phedra Delbin and Mirary Scalyn are talking in the corner. Nilos Genser and Pasara Odayelle are flirting and touching each other's hands while Tivadar Admes listens patiently to Selia Woldenar complaints about her children.
What are you four discussing? What are you wearing? What do each of you think of the three others at your table?
Valena sits at the table. She has a small glass of ale in front of her, and a bowl of the spicy stew. She doesn't look around as she sips and eats. "Theon Sensina got hurt today trying to prank Lezara. He climbed up in the stables and was setting up a dummy to swing down when the stable doors opened. He lost is footing and fell himself. Of course Lezara was not amused. I had to fix a sprained ankle and a cracked head. I'm not sure if he got the head injury from the fall or Lezara." she says with a small smirk. I've been on the receiving end of those pranks, and they aren't all that funny.
Valena is dressed in a simple tunic and trousers of greens and blues. The colors don't quite clash, but they aren't exactly coordinated. She glances at Zatial. I wonder what the elf was studying today. He's always digging through books and scrolls looking for something. One of these days I'll have to ask what it is. I enjoy listening to him and Xemne talk when he visits the store. He’s seen some places. I wonder how much longer he’ll decide to stay here.
She finishes her ale, and wonders if Eliastra will be grabbing another round soon. She’s done well working here. We kind of are in the same boat don’t quite fit with the community, but have found a niche to fill. ”Eliastra did you have any luck with your tinkering today?”
She then glances to Thorny. He’s a nice kid. Too bad he likes to embellish his stories so much. He’s a hard worker. That’s good. Too many former soldiers aren’t.
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His elbows on his knees, Thorny furrows his brow beneath the mud-colored head rag that decorates his head and concentrates on rolling his tobacco in a thin strip of paper. His enormous glaive leans against the wall and his dusty backpack is tucked underneath his seat, with his heavy wooden shield back in the farmhouse shack where he lives.
Satisfied with his post-meal treat, he sits back in his chair puffing away, and stares at the 5 remaining silver pieces left to his name, stacked neatly on the table.
Harking back to a conversation from earlier in the week, Thorny blurts "So, like I was saying. Guys back in my unit said they were going on to be retained by lords as personal troubleshooters as soon as they were finished with their time in service!" An idealist's smile adorned his face. "I'm not trying to get rich, or anything. I'm just tired of simply 'surviving.' I want to get ahead a little. Have something extra I can throw into the poor box at church."
"Oh, I'm sorry," he looks at Valena. "I was off in my own head, again." He recalls echos of her comment a moment prior. "Theon pranked me a month ago by dumping worms into my work gloves." He smirked. "I refused him the satisfaction of a reaction by pretending it never happened when he tried to bring it up at supper. He hasn't bothered me since." That's how I got the guys back at my phalanx to move on to the next recruit.
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Eliastra smiles as she listens to Thorny muse over making some extra money. I know that feeling! Still, it is nice to have finally found a home...
Checking in her many pockets of the olive green vest she wears, Eli finally finds the one she is looking for and fishes out a piece of metal. Answering Valena, she says "Every day I am fixing things for Phedra is a good one, to be sure, but this little piece has gotten me on my last nerve. It's supposed to fit into a slot to hold the lock together, but it just isn't cut right. I am not sure how it was even working before it broke, but fixing it has been very frustrating. I should pop over to the smithy after while and see if they can fashion me a new one."
"So, anyone up for a game of rings tonight?"
Valena looks at the metal piece Eliastra shows her. "Sounds complicated. I'm sure you'll get it. Rings sounds like a fun way to finish the evening."
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Zetial looks at the piece of metal that Eliastra is playing with and quickly loses his attention. Eying the small stack of silver coins on the table he looks to Thorny. You know, Thorny... that stack of silver looks small. Judging by the looks of you, I doubt you are hiding much in your tunic. I've been thinking about doing a small magic show soon. Its mostly simple lights and routine amusement. The simple folk seem to like it a bit I generally get a handful of silver for little investment in my time. You could run the door, collect 20% of the admission. Perhaps treat yourself to something nice.
Zetial rolls his eyes at rings but figures he always has at least a 50/50 chance again Valena. If nothing else interesting happens tonight, sure why not. At least rings makes the time pass at a reasonable rate.
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Thorny casts an eager eye at Zetial. Doorman for a magic show? "I'm happy to help in any way I can, Zetial." He draws his mouth into a slight frown. He's giving me charity. I can't accept that much to just collect money. "I will tout the show at the market beforehand, and I can help set up and tear down any equipment you need."
Thorny puffs on his cigarette.
"Rings sounds fun."
Talia Orem comes by the table to refresh your drinks. "Evening all! Are you celebrating something? Or just wishing for something to celebrate?"
Just then, there is a tremendous, rumbling crash. The walls of the inn rattle as though shaken by thunder and the lamps jump and sway.
Talia nearly drops her pitcher and gasps "Gods above! What was that?"
Several people rush out into the street to see what's happening.
"I don't know quite what that was, but let's go find out." Valena moves quickly toward the door.
When you step out of the inn, you immediately notice a huge plume of dust rising to the northeast. It isn’t long before someone shouts out the news—the Witch Tower has fallen!
This news sends everyone in the tavern heading out to gawk at the dust plume rising from the place where the tower once stood.
Valena begins walking in the direction of the crowd is heading. Thorny quickly leaves her range of sight. She tries to keep up with Eliastra so she doesn't miss any turns. "What do you see?" she asks.
A great many locals have already come to gawp at the fallen tower. Rubble and dust are strewn across the lawn and into the lane beyond. People are wandering amidst the rubble, apparently sightseeing or looking for treasures. "Kobolds! Dozens of 'em!" says one villager.
More villagers are drifting towards the rubble as you arrive.
"That does not look safe, friends," says Caspar Tymek. "It could still be unstable."
A small crowd has gathered around the rubble of the collapsed tower. Only fragments of the first and second floors still stand. Black stone and broken wooden debris lie scattered down the hill’s southeastern slope, and a rocky ramp of sorts leads up to the tower’s second floor.
You don't actually see any kobolds, just several locals picking over the rubble.
"I heard there were kobolds up at the tower," says a farmer.
"That's stupid," says another. "They ain't no screaming or fussing."
Looking around the ruin, you can see that an enormous heap of cracked stone and splintered wood from the tower lies in a low mound here, tumbled partially down the hill to the southeast. The mound of rubble forms a natural ramp that leads up to the now-exposed second floor of the tower above.
Two Sheriff's Deputies, Letha Mulle and Varyl Hodd are standing about, seemingly unsure of what to do in the Sheriff's absence.
Valena moves closer to the ruined tower. "What a mess. Is anyone hurt?"
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"Huh?" says Deputy Hodd to Thorny. "Uh, yeah. I guess. I don't know? I mean, I don't know if anyone is breaking the law."
In response to Valena, Deputy Mulle shrugs. "Nobody said. I heard there was a dead kobold."
Gregol Lenton, the mason, calls out "Hey, maybe that wizard Hunclay knows what happened. His tower is on the same hill here, after all."
"You volunteering to go, Gregol Lenton?" Letha Mulle calls back. "'Cause I'm not going up there."
"Not my job," Gregol calls back. "Send Varyl!"
"Bugger off, Gregol!" shouts Deputy Hodd. "I ain't hankerin' to be turned into no toad."
You are surprised by a soft, exasperated sigh from nearby. "I'll go," says a small voice. It is the undertaker Calladastina Honas. "Might as well get it over with."
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Zatial looks are the fallen tower. He hears the deputy's, but mostly ignores their babbling. Looking around the mess he tries to recall what he can of the fallen tower but realizes he has never been inside before.
Strangely enough, I've never been in this tower before. Sadly, I won't get the chance. Does anyone know what was inside?
Quickly, Zatial grabs the arm of the undertaker, Hold Calladastina. You shouldn't go alone, perhaps one of us can go to the wizards tower with you?
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Thorny begins to pace the perimeter of the rubble, trying to assess the danger of the situation, whether natural or unnatural.
"Best not climb on those piles" he cautions to some children. I have to get closer, he considers to himself.
On approaching the rubble-constructed ramp, Thorny spends a few moments working himself out of his studded leather before be begins the climb.
[ooc]Anyone who wants to climb the ramp of rubble up to the exposed upper floor of the Witch Tower must make a DC 8 Climb check because of the unstable nature.[/dice]
Shamed into acting at last, Deputies Mulle and Hodd leave the area and go next door to Hunclay's tower. "Strange that he isn't here," notes Phedra Delben, the town's tinker.
Thorny, you spot a single small body crushed under the rubble. It appears to be halfling-sized and reptilian.
Valena moves close to Zatial and Calladastina. "Wait a moment Calladastina. I'll go with you to the other tower. Let's see if anyone is hurt or if anything is hiding to attack before we leave."
"Alright. Let's go help Thorny." She moves to the tower and begins to climb.
As you begin to scramble across the rubble, you hear a voice calling you. It is clear and well-born. Turning you see Lady Origena Devy and her son Sir Arnholde. Lady Origena is the town's baroness. She is a well-liked noble lady of old Taldan lineage.
"What is happening here?" She speaks briefly with the two hapless deputies then shakes her head in disbelief. "Your job," she tells them, "Is to keep people away from this area until you hear differently from the Sheriff or from me."
Turning in her saddle, she calls to you. "Valena Lasca, come here, please. Bring your friends."
Once you have returned to the road, Lady Origena looks up at the ruin of the Witch Tower and then down at you and sighs.
"You four have something of a reputation for competence, unlike Mulle and Hodd, who can't do a thing without the Sheriff holding their hands. I need someone who will go in there and look through the rubble. I want to find out what happened and why there are kobolds in my town. Can you handle that?"
"While you’re looking around in the ruins, keep an eye out for any signs of our local eccentric, Hunclay. It seems somewhat suspicious to me that he’s not answering his door. Let me know what you find.”
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Eliastra tries to play it cool, but clearly she takes great pride in being included in such a statement. She nods eagerly, as she is ready to do something to help further separate her from her checkered past. Plus, I despise kobolds... so if there are any still kicking, I want to know about it!
"Yes, ma'am," is really the only words she can muster.
Valena hides a frustrated sigh as she climbs down, and walks over to Lady Origena. I'm not her child or a servant to be summoned at will.
She nods politely, "Yes ma'am. We'll go inside and look through the rubble. We'll also keep a look out for Hunclay as well. Does he spend much time near the tower?"
She waves at her companions to head back to the tower and begin the climb again. She doesn't make any progress on her first attempt.
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The lady speaks good sense. Valena, don't take it too personally. Someone needs to be in charge around here and it might as well be her. Thorny, what can you find in these rocks?
Zatial moves back to the base of the tower and starts to take a look around, poking at some of the rock with a stick and trying to not to turn his ankle.
The only way to really get into the tower at this point is to scramble up the rubble to the exposed second floor. Valena tries this a second time, but this time fails, her boots slipping on a crumbling piece of masonry. She strikes her head sharply and painfully on a rock when she lands.
Ouch that hurt. Let's try that again. I hope I don't fall this time." Valena manages to climb up the rubble this time even with the headache she got from falling the fist time. I hope we find something for all this effort.
"I'm afraid I don't. I didn't think I'd need to bring rope to the pub today. The roping contest happens thee days from now." She laughs at her jest.
Thorny finds a single reptilian body, about the size of a halfling. Two rows of razor-sharp teeth give the creature a predatory look. It is quite dead. It wears no clothes and bears no instruments of any kind. It looks like what the tales call a kobold, a spirit of caves and of the earth made real.
Zatial helps Eliastra and Valena scramble up to the second story, though he himself remains on the ground.
The two ladies find that the exposed upper floor contains only some smashed furniture and a sprinkling of rubble. A trap door is set in the floor against the northwest wall, but a stout timber has fallen across it.
"We could use some more strong backs up here. There's a trap door, but there is something across it." Valena calls down to the others on the ground.
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PING!
She tries to help move the timber. With that not working she yells back down to the ground. "We've had no luck moving the timber. Maybe one of the villagers has some rope."