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He situates himself back in his chair. “I’m glad you’ve come to Iadenveigh, as I find myself in need of your kind—people who have run afoul of embedded agents of the Technic League. Iadenveigh has had its confrontations with the League, but they’ve largely left us alone of late, since we don’t have anything of interest to them. Yet I have reason to believe a spy from the Technic League is somewhere in Iadenveigh—a fear that has only grown darker now that I’ve heard tales of similar problems in other towns throughout the Numerian Plains. Alas, I can do little, for I have no proof. If the townspeople got wind of this, they’d point fingers every which way and might end up punishing the suspicious rather than the guilty. I need to know if my fears are based in fact, and if so, I want the spy identified before I take any formal action. Will you help? If you are willing I have two trusted people I know that I would like to assist you to help. Their names are Selkania and Aurora. They are travelers as well and staying in a room in the High Home. They have agreed to help in exchange for their rooms."
"Affirmative."
"Understood. Now, do you have any suggestions where we could start our investigation? Is anyone acting odd?"
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"I only have a few facts. One of the town's hunters killed a mechanical bird north of town the day before yesterday. The bird shattered from its fall, revealing a piece of paper stored within. The hunter, a decent man named Abret, brought the shattered bird and its missive to me." Ivik gets up to retrieve the message.
"The paper bears a sketchy map of Iadenveigh with the area of Badwater circled. A message in a strange language is written on the back—It looks to be Androffan as you can see here." He hands the paper to Richard.
"I presumes the sender directed the message north to Starfall. But can't say for sure." Ivik shrugs. "Please keep things as quiet as possible, to prevent a mob from forming and damaging some innocent’s reputation or physical well-being. if you learn who the spy is return to me with proof. If the spy attacks or tries to flee please do your best to prevent them from reaching Starfall. I wouldn't mention the bird in your investigation as the Spy probably won't realize it has been shot down."
Ivik Gunnett thinks for a moment. "If there’s a spy in town, chances are good that he or she is a recent arrival. Regarding newcomers in town, travelers generally stay at the High Home or, if they are down on their luck, camp in Heddick Widefoot’s lumberyard. Currently, the folks I want you to meet up with are the only travelers staying at the High Home, but I recall some travelers camped in Heddick’s yard recently. Perhaps they know more?"
"That sounds logical for a start. What does the message say?" Alpha says directing that last part to Richard.
Hmm,a machine bird. That sure is interesting. Things definitely are different around here. She stops to think on the matter. I am Aurora by the way.
Richard translates the message:
"The paper bears a sketchy map of Iadenveigh with the area of Badwater circled. A message in a strange language is written on the back—It looks to be Androffan as you can see here."
Once done, he suggests the group head to the High Home and meet the other newcomers Ivek mentioned. "Extra heads on this problem can't hurt."
"Affirmative, it would be logical to gain some aid on the matter."
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The Ealdorman frowns as Richard translates the message. "Everyone in town knows that the swath of land known as Badwater is, well, “bad.” The fact that this region is of apparent interest to the Technic League concerns me. I have stepped up patrols in that part of Iadenveigh. So far, nothing suspicious has been found there, but you might consider talking to the Bardleighs (a family of stonemasons that quarry rock from Badwater’s western edge) as they might have seen something relevant."
He stands and begins to clean up as Ivik heads inside. "You should find the two in the High Home and start when you can. Good Luck."
You return to the High Home where Redfang stands near the books, pouring over the numbers and logs for the month. His eyes wander up as you enter only to return to the books. In the dining area sit a pair of travelers (Aurora and Selkania) eating their evening meal.
Stepping into the dining room, Richard steps toward the pair of travelers and raises a hand in greeting. He is a lithe man with silver hair, pale grey eyes, and features that are elegant, but almost too perfect. He is dressed in fine traveling clothes, and though he does not seem armored, he wears a bandoleer with various pouches and a belt that holds a fine rapier.
"Greetings. Might you two be Selkania and Aurora? I am Richard, and these are my friends Alpha, Kharax, and Lewdon. Ivik Gunnett sent us your way. He said you might be able to help us with a problem in town."
Alpha is fully armored, though what little you see underneath is covered in circuitry. He is a bit taller than most of the others and he seems to only carry a well made shield. Even his eyes are an unnatural shade of blue."I am Alpha Prime."
A pleasure to meet you all I am sure Aurora looks up with a slight smile. We were asked to accompany you all along your way. Hopefully I can provide some usefulness. I make for a decent scout. But as along as I have a lot of room to breath
Selkania is of mixed heritage but she's clearly part Hallit and her savage's red hairs marked her as some sort of a "bless person". Despite her savage appearence, she seems quite intelligent. She has no armor, only furs and a light hammer, as a symbol of her god.
When the three companions enters the inn, she stands up, smile on her face.
Hi! I'm Selkania, follower of Brigh. Ivik have talk to us about what's going on here. I hope to be of help as I've already crossed path with the type of people we're looking for.
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Lewdon is a large man with square jaw that walks with the precision of someone that has spent time in the military. you can see the handle of a large club straped to his back along with something big covered. A close look into his eyes reveal marks of surgery around them.
"Greetins Ladys. Names Lewdon. I'm relatively new working with these gents also but they proven to be good lads. Glad you could join us."
"I'm glad to meet you both. We have friends that revere Brigh back in Torch." He smiles at Selkania, then addresses Aurora. "I'm a fair scout myself, but I don't mind sharing the responsibility if you'd like to give it a shot."
Charging the subject, Richard addresses all. "Ivik suggested we talk to some stonemasons near Badwater. The Bardleighs, he called them. Let's start there."
"That actually sounds logical. Let us be off."
I think I have the same. Smiles back Selkania.
She adds I agree, its one place to start. Lets go.
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The Bardleigh family skillfully quarries stone from the edges of Badwater for the homes and walkways of Iadenveigh. The family prides itself on exceptional work, and the only complaints regarding
Bardleigh stonework is that the clan of stonemasons is so driven to perfection that any work takes twice as long as expected. The matriarch of the Bardleigh clan, Emmina Bardleigh (LG old female human expert 4) learned the business from her father, and vigilantly def lects rumors that Badwater stone is tainted like its water.
Badwater springs drain into a wide ravine at the base of the Brow, forming a deep, narrow lake surrounded by jumbled rock and populated by bizarrely mutated gars and turtles. Longbitter Lake is shunned by most residents of Iadenveigh, who believe that inhaling the air near the lake carries the same mutating taint as drinking the water. Longbitter Lake drains through a gap in the Elkhorn Wall, but this gap is rarely used even by smugglers or criminals, as it is the domain of a three-headed giant snapping turtle called the Rockshell Snipper.
On the edge of the stream lies a large cottage with an elderly woman working tirelessly outside with a wetstone.
Selkania looks around to see if anything seems unusal in the area before moving toward the elderly woman asking Richard to come along.
Hi, I'm Selkania, follower of Brigh. Could we talk?
"My name is Richard." Richard says, doing his best to sound authoritative yet friendly. "Ivik and Redfang have employed us to help solve a mystery in town. From what I understand not many wander down this way on account of the water, but we are wondering if you have seen anyone or anything unusual in the area within the last couple weeks."
Except for us, of course
adds -smiling- Selkania showing her divine symbol.
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Can't say I have seen any visitors in this area, though there are far too many entrances to monitor them all." Emmina walks around the house showing the badwater in just the short distance.
While she is showing the area Emmina's 9 year old grandson stops his playing and approaches Selkania by tugging on her cloak. Looking down he smiles and proudly displays his latest 'treasure'. He holds forth a shiny finger-cymbal. "I found this!" he proudly proclaims.
That's strange, It's not common here.
Selkania smiles at the boy's treasure and asks him That's lovely! Can you show me where you found it? I would like to see if there is other like it in the area.
Then she turns to the old woman Thank you for your help if you authorize us to be led by your grand son, it will be of great help.
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Alpha takes a slight step back when the young child displays his shiny treasure. Organic spawn always unnerved him as they were almost the opposite of logical, even for a meatbag. Although unintentional, it did make the android feel uncomfortable.
Selkania tries to find any evidence of recent passage or any other clue in the mud.
"That looks Varisian." Richard peers at the cymbal. "Not common to this area, but Varisians tend to get around."
"I'm not a great tracker, and I think you'd need to be legendary to track something in these conditions." Richard adds, doubtful that any other clue will be forthcoming under the naked eye. Still, he has other sight available to him and casts a spell to detect magic, just in case something left an aura.
Selkania says to Richard Yes, I agree with you.
I think we must look for a varisian, man or woman in town. That's our first clue about a traitor.
No new "artist" in town ? Dancer or musician?
Asks Selkania
Kharax returns with a number of goods for his compatriots, although a furrowed brow appears on the half-orcs' face. "So I take sum time ta make and update our gear, and I see I am replaced. I feel so loved.", he jests, a toothy grin appearing on his scarred face.
"Kharax's the name. Blacksmith of Torch.", the half-orc raising a hand out to the two new people before distributing the gear to the others.
Richard welcomes Kharax back with a grin. "Was starting to think you'd met a nice girl and settled down like the Cobbler."
To everyone. "Ivik said that travelers sometimes arrange lodging at Heddick Widefoot’s lumberyard. Let's head over there and see if anyone stands out."
Selkania follower of Brigh, nice meeting you Kharax.
Turning to Richard she says I agree, lets go back to town and ask around for new people, artists or varisian travelers.
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The hardworking Heddick Widefoot operates Iadenveigh’s largest lumberyard along with his younger siblings and nephews. Heddick’s home and grounds are situated near the dense forest along the Elkhorn Wall’s western arc, although the forest shrinks with each passing year. Heddick considers it a solemn obligation to assist any exiles or refugees that pass through Iadenveigh on their journeys, so the swath of cleared land southeast of his home is often covered by the tents and cook fires of Varisian wanderers, Starfall expatriates, or those moving north from the River Kingdoms. Heddick ensures that each guest departs with sufficient provisions for a week on the road, in honor of Anton Iadenveigh, the Lastwall patron who funded the town’s original Molthuni settlers.
Moving along the tents is Heddick, a middle aged, balding human man, passing out rations before a group from the River Kingdom sets out to their next destination. He smiles and pats each on the back before passing along a neatly wrapped pack.
Speaking low, Richard suggests a subtle course of action. "Let's ask Heddick for a campsite for the night. I think we could more easily mingle with other travelers without drawing suspicion or spooking the spy that way. That finger cymbal is an usual object to carry around, and it could be that the person we are looking for is pretending to be some sort of entertainer. I'm a fair minstrel myself, and perhaps some music could draw them out."
Richard approaches Haddick. "Are you Sir Haddick? My name is Richard. We are travelers passing through and heard you might have ground for is to set up camp for a day or two."
"Brigh? Sounds intarestin' Tell me more 'bout Brigh.", Kharax asks Selkania curiously on the way through town.
At Richard's story, Kharax flashes a toothy smile.
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Haddick smiles. "Indeed." He scratches his beard as he looks around the grounds. "You bring your own tents?" His eyes fall on an area. "Actually I have a group leaving tonight, though some of you may have to bed together if that's fine?" He leads the way to a pair of empty tents.
Passing through the camp you notice a group of six Varisians huddled around a campfire speaking low among each otheras they speak in hushed tones.
Pretending to have found a rock in his boot, Richard waves the group on to with Haddick. "I'll catch right up."
Limping to a spot out of the way (and out of sight), Richard casts a spell of invisibility and slips quietly over to the Varisians to eavesdrop.
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Selkania smiles back at Kharax Of course ! I will be happy to. Brigh is the goddess of invention and favors creations that take on a life of their own, like clockworks or constructs. As her follower I believe that all knowledge is meant to be built upon. In the process of creation Brigh teaches us in three equally important concepts, often conceived as a triangle: questioning, proposals, and testing. I hope to be able to create one thing one day!
Once in the camp, she thanks Haddick and when Richard stays behind she says We cover you.
Once settled, she begins to wander around the camp, speaking with everyone.
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Richard snakes off among the tents and draws in close to the Varisians where a man speaks to the group.
"We should leave soon. They don't trust us here. They blame us for minor crimes since we are outsider..."
"More so here in Iadenveigh than anywhere else in Numeria." Another chimes in."[/b]
A woman speaks up as she clears her throat. "We have respected their traditions and promised to remain on our best behavior. As long as we continue that let them talk."
Richard slips close to the group, looking to see if anyone carry a finger cymbal like the one they found.