Such is the term of endearment that Nualla uses with a playful roll of her eyes to describe Rrruh. Despite the teasing, such seems to be her type.
"I would like that very much," she says in response to the dinner invitation, "even though Falcon's Hollow hosts a fraction of the options and venues that Oregent offered. Around here, it seems like the choice is between the town's only inn or having a picnic out atop one of the countless stumps dotting the landscape.
"Of course, this only serves to emphasize the importance of the choice of companions rather than setting," she says with a coy smirk.
Beyond grumblings about prices in the High Market and gossip about purported affairs, some of the locals mention a bit of a treasure hunt going on among the opportunistic and the desperate, looking for a rumored cache left behind by Kabran Bloodeye when his gang was driven out of town, much like the Consortium, by the Diamond Regiment.
Other residents fret about the threats posed by the fey, worrying that the army will not be as proactive as the Consortium in fighting against the fey inhabitants of Darkmoon Wood. The way you hear them speak about the fey makes it clear that the locals fear them as much as any bogeyman.
You also hear at least one pair debating whether or not someone called "Vade" yet resides in Falcon's Hollow. Their eyes and gestures call attention to a tower, quite out of place among the frontier architecture of the rest of the town, rising beside the easternmost stretch of the palisade. They speak of this Vade with much trepidation, as though afraid that speaking about him openly could call some manner of curse down upon them.
...
Randu, Fiila, and Layla stroll eastward along one of the main thoroughfares of the town, radiating out like wheel spokes from the Low Market. Along with the inn and general store, the tribunal is one of the larger buildings abutting the marketplace. With the Consortium forced out of Falcon's Hollow, the tribunal building no longer serves simply as a rubber stamp for all of Gavel Kreed's excesses of greed and wrath. It now serves as a proper office for both the sheriff and the magistrate.
As you approach, a dwarven man with a short but immaculately groomed beard and a copper badge upon his chest exits the tribunal. He closes the door behind him and marches proudly, a smile on his face, down the two wooden steps descending from the porch to the dusty road. His eyes immediately pick out Randu.
"Well howdy-do to you," he calls out by way of welcome. Randu recognizes him as Tabrik Splint, Sheriff Baleson's chief deputy. "I hope your return is a sign of good news. I remember a time, not too long ago, when optimism was an exorbitant luxury around here. Fortunately, times are a'changing."
Randu actually lets a smile slip, "Deputy Splint, one of the only men who groused more about Kreed than I did, and was braver about it to boot if I recall" The halfling says "We're here on official business, can you believe it ? I've got a badge too" And he shows it, "I'll let my compariots introduce themselves before we tell you what's going on. Actually they might want to speak up too. Much as I've talked recently you'd think I liked the sound of my own voice"
Layla chuckles as Randu's self deprecating wit. "Pleasure to meet you, Deputy Splint. Layla Varenne, Andoran ATU." she says tipping the front of her hat with a nod of respect.
"A few weeks ago, I would've thought you'd been nipping into some of the cutyard boys' moonshine," Deputy Splint muses, hearing about how the former cook has come up in the world. "Considering how the Consortium's been run out of not just town but the whole country, I suppose nothing's too wild these days."
After everyone present has had a chance to introduce themselves, Splint explains that Sheriff Baleson is out meeting with one of the army officers, so he asks if there's anything he can assist with.
"Seems like you fellows are stretched a bit thin." He observes, then looks about to make sure no other ears are about.
"How have interactions with the army been so far? Any issues with boundries and such?" Layla asks, trying to determine the climate they'd have to be operating within.
"It's strange. With Payday and his boys gone, we're actually free to do our jobs. That alone has us all hustling around regularly. That being the case, with so many listless and out-of-work loggers loitering around, we've had constant brawls, drunkenness, petty theft, and other troubles.
"So far, I don't think any of us have come to blows with the soldiers. There's too much to be done for anyone to feel territorial, plus most of the other deputies are volunteers probably feeling in over their heads, so they're grateful for the professional backup.
"As for Deldrin...well, the sheriff has been getting along fine with the army officers, but he mostly cooperates with the mayor, when he's in town."
"When he's in town? Something odd you think?" Coaxing.
"I think the sheriff and the mayor are up to something," Splint sighs quietly. "I don't suspect it's anything sinister, but I hate being out of the loop. I also don't like the idea of them sneaking around. We're men of the law. We should be upfront and our behavior should be beyond reproach."
Changing the subject, Deputy Splint does have a favor to ask of you.
"Kabran Bloodeye fled the country before he could get scooped up by the army. Even if he wasn't part of the Consortium, that plug ugly sack saw the writing on the wall, so he's probably hiding out in Isger now. Now, I'm not asking you to do anything crazy like crossing the border to nab him. No, leave nasty business like that for the army.
"Everyone around town is convinced that he left behind a hidden stash of all the loot and contraband that he couldn't make off with. Unfortunately, I don't think they're wrong. Hunting for Bloodeye's treasure has become a favorite pastime around here, and it's causing nothing but trouble. Would-be treasure hunters have been breaking into homes and cellars, getting into turf fights, threatening folks."
Splint sums it up. Since you're proven investigators, he wants you to locate Bloodeye's stash yourselves in order to put an end to the mischief caused by the amateur treasure hunters.
"When you do find it, don't give in to greed. Turn it in to the army. It'll probably be contraband and stolen goods that you don't want to be caught with, anyhow. If it helps, they might offer a finder's fee, too."
Fiila smiled and curtsied to the dwarf when they met and said, "It is a pleasure to meet you Master Dwarf. I'm Fiila, and I don't have a badge as I'm just a wanderer who stumbled upon seemingly interesting people."
Since she was still picking up what all was going on Fiila kept her silence during most of the conversation not really perking up until the mention of the treasure. While she would be more inclined to keep it for herself if she alone found it she had to admit that getting herslef in the authority's good graces might be worth the loss, especially if there was a finder's fee involved.
"Ah" He nods sympathetically at the Deputy's worry about sneaking about by law men. Randu remembers when sneaking about was the only way you could get justice while the law stood idle but now is not the time.
"Can't say I miss bloodeye. Hope the women he was using are in either better jobs or at least self employed now."
Fiila smiled and curtsied to the dwarf when they met and said, "It is a pleasure to meet you Master Dwarf. I'm Fiila, and I don't have a badge as I'm just a wanderer who stumbled upon seemingly interesting people."
"She's been assisting. Who knows, if she's interested we might offer her a job with us." Letting the deputy know he trusts her, well as much as he trusts anyone.
"Don't worry, Deputy. If we find this darn thing, to the Army it will go. I'd rather be dead than turn into Kreed or Bloodeye. World has too many of them."
He spent the entire short trip to speak with Nualla about everything they had been up too, even the parts that made him look good. He only half paid attention to the dwarf his mind entirely focused on how Nualla's paw felt in his. How the sunlight highlighteted her fur. How the mayor was still galavanting as a vigilan.... He sighed and shook his head slightly. He shouldnt have been as surprised as he was but he was.
When the treasure was brought up his ears perked up. Not so much in the idea of maybe having some of that loot, but more in the idea of what a good story that would make if they found the loot.
Layla simply listens, taking the opportunity to learn more of the dynamic within the changing town, though she agrees with the myriad of reasons that they would likely be the bet option for finding the treasure.
From Deputy Splint you learn that the Diamond Regiment has already thoroughly searched the Rouge Lady, Kreed Manor, and the former Consortium headquarters - not just for Bloodeye's treasure, but for other assets, contraband, and evidence of criminal activities. These places can be ruled out.
"On the bright side, they gathered enough material to issue standing warrants for Bloodeye and his close associates. If any of them come out of hiding or exile, feel free to bring 'em in."
The would-be treasure hunters that have caused so much trouble for the deputies and stationed soldiers have also combed through the sawmill, the cutyards, Jak'a'napes, and the Sitting Duck, not to mention a lot of homes and shops.
"We even had to rescue one poor sot who got stuck in Brookman's Well after he convinced Jasin Greatoak to lower him down by a rope around the waist so he could look for hidden tunnels or something."
She looked at the few coins in her bowl. Taking them she headed to a vender and got some simple soup to eat. Sitting down she looked around at the market. The others must be done by now. Finishing off she headed to the sheriff's office, when she gets there she waits unseen outside for the others to come out. When the come out she slips in behind them.
"Well, Deputy, we got more trouble than you know" And he fills him in quietly nearly in a whisper on Ayda Vorshin's plans.
"Aye, Vorshin's nothing but trouble. We always suspected she was helping Bloodeye smuggle goods in and out of town. Since she used to operate under Kreed's protection, we couldn't touch her. Even now, we haven't been able to get anything on her. We only ever find ordinary goods in her carts.
"We have no power to keep her from gouging folks with her prices, and if she's been muscling out the competition, then we've been looking out for the wrong crimes. Of course, if she's got her boys doing this out on the road or down by Olfden way, then there's still not much we can do."
A look to his compatriots, "Well, any ideas? Legally speaking?"
"Catch her with something illegal, or convince one of hers to talk. Most likely in exchange for lenience." Layla suggests.
"Become a caravan, disguised if you will, then strike when they move to break the law."
He offered still holding Nualla's paw
"Sounds like something we could combine,"Randu nods to both, "I like it." A consider ation, "I think I have an ideaa but we'll need to talk to the army and requision a less than military looking wagon"
"Sounds like a plan." Layla replies.
You march over to the headquarters for the Diamond Regiment detachment. The fortress-like mansion, once a looming monument to Kreed's grasp upon the town, is now a hub of activity for the soldiers stationed in Falcon's Hollow. Among the grounds now used as drill yards, you can see a number of carts, wagons, and draft animals around the premises - some in use, others being unloaded, others sitting idle for now.
Your credentials as agents, although raising the watch officer's eyebrows because of how new you are, are confirmed as legitimate. It takes a few minutes of protocol and rigamarole, but you are eventually brought before the leader of the detachment: Commander Ingrid Odeber.
Miya walks with Fiila as they goes to the Diamond Regiment detachment.
"So you're just tagging along for the fun of it. You know they are all members of the law. You could have killed hanging around with them. They di risky things."
Filla gave Miya a smile and said, "Yes, that is true, but I could as easily have been killed traveling alone across the countryside or worse too besides," she smiled mysteriously, "I am more durable than I look."
"I am just a simple monk, everyone looks more durable. Look at these fine men in their armor. They look as if they could fight a dragon."
She grins a child-like grin.
"You know I had a dream once that someone put a dragon's egg in my begging bowl. I stood there looking at it, thinking do I sell it and help the poor with the coin or keep it and help myself with a dragon"
She kept grinning, then seemed to change the subject.
"So you meet us and now you want to stay with us, the thing we have to ask is. Can we trust you? Are you a Dragons egg?
Fiila considerd the question posed to her, was she the dragon's egg? Could she be trusted? Finally she just laughed and said, "A fun question,I could tell you I could be trusted but that would simply be my word and if I can't be trusted I would tell you I could be. On the other hand if I could be trusted I could tell you I could trust it and mean it but why would you trust me?" Fiila shook her head and said, "No, whether I say I can be trusted is not important, you should decide if I can be trusted based on my actions instead."
"So you ARE a Dragons egg"
She winks
"I kind of knew it"
And she skips ahead to the others.
"Greetings, Commander. I'm Randu Riggling, these are my ...coworkers..." He gives the name of each, "And we need your assistance, so we can assist Andoran. But first, how are things going on your end?" He's probably breaking some procedure, but darn it, what's the point of being a maverick agent who plays by his own rules if you have to read off a script?
Layla silently watches the exchange, following Randu's lead, given that it was still her first day in Falcon's Hollow. Learning the lay of the land would be extremely important to being effective.
Commander Ingrid Odeber can be intimidating, especially to those who fare poorly in the presence of authority. The suit of full plate armor with golden eagle epaulets, meticulously ordered upon an armor stand in the corner of her office, only adds to her imposing presence.
"Greetings to you, agents," the commander replies. Thankfully, the tone of her voice is more akin to a glove than a gauntlet, putting you more at ease. "A magically delivered message from the Golden Aerie told me to expect you, and one of our friends among the Fangwatch spotted your arrival outside town."
Commander Odeber gives a field briefing, speaking to you as equals rather than subordinates.
"We have Falcon's Hollow strategically secured. Unfortunately, having it logistically secured is another matter entirely, one that eludes us for now. Now that we are closer than ever to open war with Cheliax, Andoran's armed forces are suddenly spread thin, mobilized along the borders, the coasts, and even upon the seas. Our support network is especially strained to the breaking point."
The most dire manifestation of this problem is the lack of money, as Odeber describes the situation as a losing battle of economics.
"The logging industry has been nationalized, with many independent lumberjack outfits being provisionally contracted to provide timber for our navy and markets. Unfortunately, we have not been given any tangible currency with which to pay them. We have been issuing official scrip with the promise that it can be exchanged for cash when possible, but these I.O.U.s have been costing us goodwill with the locals.
"I do not know if we will be able to maintain the peace until the auctions give us an influx of funds. It will take a fortuitous windfall, or at least some damn fine diplomacy, to tide the workers over until then."
"So something like, Kabran Bloodeye's hidden treasure then would come in very handy, Commander"
Minya says with a child-like smile, yet her eyes miss nothing. Like the fact, a none agent is with them yet being seen as one. Fiila. They would have to do something about that. Dump her or conscript her. This mission felt like it needed more hands than they had. Miya made up her mind to have a word about this when she did her report on the town's gossip, later.
"Do you have have anything that can act like a merchant wagon or caravan? We're hoping to catch a criminal in the act."
"We have plenty of wagons and carts on hand. Assets seized from the Consortium," the commander states. "We've been using them to transport timber bought from the local loggers, but since they've become increasingly reluctant to sell for scrip, more and more of the wagons have been sitting idle. It should be no trouble to spare a couple, along with the needed draft animals."
The commander has heard quite a bit about Kabran Bloodeye's supposed treasure from the hooligans detained and questioned both by her own troops and the deputies.
"I remain highly skeptical that it's anything worth calling 'treasure,' as though they were relics from the Five Kings Mountains. Nevertheless, it's almost certain that the deposed criminal elements of the town did leave behind contraband, stolen goods, and ill-gotten gold. I detest the idea of using such blood money, but it would be far better that some good come out of it."
While Commander Odeber can rule out the same locations that Deputy Splint mentioned, she can also offer a lead.
"I have asked allies among the Fangwatch to dispatch a patrol to keep their eyes upon the Gold Falls Inn, upriver from Falcon's Hollow. Unfortunately, they have no one to spare. Further complicating our issues of logistics and manpower, the area around Olfden has been stricken by waves of attacks involving werewolves and fey. The remainder of the regiment stationed back at Adamas are pushed nearly to the breaking point keeping the local population safe and calm."
The commander explains that the Gold Falls Inn, overlooking the waterfall of the same name, sits upon the road leading northwest into Isger. It is the last bit of civilization in the borderland between the two nations, with much of the remaining region never having been rebuilt after the Goblinblood War.
"Kabran Bloodeye was supposedly the ringleader for all the smuggling occurring here on the northern frontier. I have no doubt that he used the inn as a waystation for his operations, thus it also stands to reason that he may have kept a cache nearby. Perhaps more importantly, since reports indicate that Kabran Bloodeye is hiding out in Isger, any attempts he might make to recover his ill-gotten wealth would likely involve sending agents through the inn."
"That is quite the lead." Layla comments, tapping her fingernail against her lips thoughtfully, "Not to mention, it sounds like area needs all the help it can get."
He felt a little awkward listening to the commander about their mission. He hadnt realized it, but his paw was still firmly enmeshed with Nualla's. Most of the time he did his best to remain nondescipt. Perhaps this was not the time for that.
"If only Sweatpea hadnt flit off... she was so good at handling fae."
He paused tilting his head pondering the issues with coin and scrip. He could understand their... resistance to such means, he just found the idea behind it amusing. After all wasnt basing the scrips value on a metal found in the earth the very same concept of deciding metal from the earth was valueble? A debate could be had, but it wouldnt help the people he was sure.
"Does anyone technically own this Inn now?"
He asked as he pulled out his coin purse setting it on the commander's desk. He opened it and started to count the coin inside it.
"I have 500 gold to give you to help redress the funding issue. Tommorow, in the square announce you are paying a team from the city to clear out a nest of trouble and offer to pay us in coin or scrip. We of course will accept the scrip. Hopefully firming up the locals belief in it. After all some of us are known and accepted as community leaders. It wont solve that issue but it should help a little."
He turned to Fillia giving her a knowing feline smirk. Her path was almost the same start of his path. Just sort of tagging along with interesting people...til he was here now, invested in the land itself.
"You'll do, you are an agent now, I'll get the paperwork sent."
Miya smiles, well thats all cleared that up.
"Well it's true the local residents fret about the threats posed by the fey, they are worrying the armyes not as proactive as the Consortium was whats in The Darkmoon Wood. They view them as the bogeyman."
She looks around the room.
"But what I want to know is, who is "Vade" of the tower. Because the word on the street is "Vade" is coming or is back here in Falcon's Hollow. And "Vade" is held in even more trepidation than the fey."
"Does anyone technically own this Inn now?"
"The inn is independent of Falcon's Hollow and the Consortium, so it's ownership has not changed during the recent upheaval," the commander replies, walking over to a desk. She begins shuffling through some notes and documents.
"Here we are. It is owned by the Berekland family. Apparently they have owned the inn and the sluice above the falls since the establishment's inception. The inn is purportedly built upon the foundations of an old dwarven fortress, so the site has held significance for some time, it seems.
"The current owner of the inn, one Mierson Berekland, is purportedly a retired Pathfinder, at least according to the intel that I've been provided. On the surface, this would suggest that he is of at least somewhat decent character, so I can't say for sure whether he may have any affiliation with Kabran Bloodeye."
He asked as he pulled out his coin purse setting it on the commander's desk. He opened it and started to count the coin inside it.
"I have 500 gold to give you to help redress the funding issue. Tommorow, in the square announce you are paying a team from the city to clear out a nest of trouble and offer to pay us in coin or scrip. We of course will accept the scrip. Hopefully firming up the locals belief in it. After all some of us are known and accepted as community leaders. It wont solve that issue but it should help a little."
The commander declines the money as a gift or donation, concerned that it may create a conflict of interests between your two organizations. As a compromise, she offers to exchange Rrruh's 500 gold for the equivalent value in scrip, plus 10 percent. Thus, when the regiment is delivered the cash to pay out expenses, Rrruh will be paid back 550 gold.
"But what I want to know is, who is "Vade" of the tower. Because the word on the street is "Vade" is coming or is back here in Falcon's Hollow. And "Vade" is held in even more trepidation than the fey."
"I don't even need to consult my briefings and reports," she says with a grimace, looking across the papers upon her desk. "That name sticks out in my mind quite well.
"Sharvaros Vade. Local recluse. Every local we've interviewed claims that he's some manner of wizard or sorcerer of the most unwholesome sort. The more worrying reports suggest he may actually be a practicing necromancer. However, we have not confirmed any of this information. Not only have we not been able to gain entrance to his tower, but we cannot even be sure if he still resides within, or if he even still lives."
"If the necromancy part is true, 'still lives' might be irrelevant." Layla mutters.
Randu listens intently, seeming glad to see the others throw ideas out to consider
The commander can readily transfer either two full-sized wagons or three or four carts, along with the requisite teams of mules, whenever you are ready to enact your operation. She cannot spare any soldiers under her command, so if you cannot handle the animals and vehicles yourselves, she suggests hiring some locals that you know to be trustworthy.
"Thank you, Commander," He turns to the others "That's a fair point, anyone here no how to handle an animal?"
Miya smiles
"I'm good with animals, kind of"
"I'm thinking the more we do this inhouse so to speak the fewer risk of leaks."
Miya jokes with a smile
"I get animals, kind of, so know somethings"
"I'm not overly skilled with them, but I've handled a few horses well enough." Layla adds.
"While some would consider me an animal... i am not... well except to other animals... which are usually decently afraid of me.. I can't imagine why."
He offered and gave his best smile... you know the one with the sharp teeth displayed.
A nod at the others, and a chuckle at Rrruh, "Can't understand why either. Looks like we'll manage then, thanks all."
The carts put under your command show clear signs of having been recently tended and repaired. Most likely, Kreed and his cronies cut corners on upkeep for their equipment, so the Diamond Regiment soldiers had to get them back into working order. By contrast, the mules given over to you are well-trained and well-behaved, offering minimal resistance as long as you treat them fairly.
You'll next need to strategize if you want to lure Vorshin into your trap. It will be difficult to fool her while she's in town, since she'll be very wary with the soldiers around. If you set up your trap on the road south from Falcon's Hollow, out on Darkmoon Plain, Vorshin will be more likely to take the bait. The downside, though, is that you will be separated from possible reinforcements if the plan goes awry.